HOUSE BILL REPORT

                 EHB 2812

                  As Amended by the Senate

Title:  An act relating to aircraft maintenance vocational training.

Brief Description:  Providing for aircraft maintenance vocational training.

Sponsor(s):  Representatives Cantwell, Mielke, Locke, Forner, Wineberry, Padden, D. Sommers, Orr, Roland, Silver, Moyer, Day, Brough, Paris, Miller, Winsley, Dellwo, McLean, Hochstatter, Haugen, Wood and Rasmussen.

Brief History:

  Reported by House Committee on:

Trade & Economic Development, February 6, 1992, DP;

Passed House, February 17, 1992, 89-6;

Amended by Senate.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON

TRADE & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Majority Report: Do pass.  Signed by 11 members:  Representatives Cantwell, Chair; Sheldon, Vice Chair; Forner, Ranking Minority Member; Betrozoff, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Ferguson; Kremen; Ludwig; Moyer; Rasmussen; Riley; and Roland.

Staff:  Melissa Pailthorp  (786-7118).

Background:  Vocational education and training plays a key role in preparing employees for the workplace, helping them to secure jobs for which they are qualified.  The Council on Investment in Human Capital report states that the need to enhance Washington state's workplace training and education is critical.  Studies indicate that the quality of an area's workforce is a key factor in determining where businesses expand or relocate.

Summary of Bill:  For the 91-93 biennium, $500,000 is appropriated to the Department of Economic Development (DTED) for allocation to a technical or community college to develop a vocational training program on the maintenance of aircraft. 

The appropriation is contingent upon an airline locating a new maintenance facility in this state.  No part of the appropriation can be spent by DTED on administrative expenses or overhead.

EFFECT OF SENATE AMENDMENT(S): The Senate striking amendment removes the new $500,000 appropriation for additional training for the maintenance of commercial aircraft through community colleges and replaces it with reallocation of $500,000 of the existing 1991-93 biennial appropriation for the Job Skills Training Program.

Fiscal Note:  Requested February 3, 1992.

Appropriation:  (1) The sum of $500,000 for the biennium ending June 30, 1993, or so much thereof as may be necessary, is appropriated from the general fund to the Department of Trade and Economic Development for allocation to a state technical or community college for a vocational training program on the maintenance of commercial aircraft.  Moneys allocated under this section shall not be used to replace or supplant existing funding.  (2) The Department of Trade and Economic Development shall not expend any portion of the appropriation in this section for administrative expenses or overhead.  (3) The appropriation in this section is contingent on the establishment by a commercial airline of a new facility in this state for the maintenance of commercial aircraft.  If such a facility is not established, the appropriation in this section shall lapse.

Effective Date:  The bill contains an emergency clause and takes effect immediately.

Testimony For:  A major commercial airline is considering establishing an aircraft maintenance facility in the Northwest.  Such a facility would create many high paying jobs, generate revenue, and benefit the entire state.  Assistance with job training may provide inducement sufficient for this business to choose to locate in Washington State.

Testimony Against:  None.

Witnesses:  Ray Harry, state Board for Community and Technical Colleges (Supports with adequate funding provided to technical or community college); Representative Todd Mielke, Prime Sponsor (Pro); Collins Sprague, Washington Water Power (Pro); Jim Halstrom, Momentum (Pro); Vic Erickson, Economic Development Council of Seattle and King County (Pro); and Commissioner Gary Grant, King County (Pro).

VOTE ON FINAL PASSAGE:

Yeas 89; Nays 6; Excused 3

Nays:  Representatives Belcher, Cole G, Fisher G, Heavey, Hine, Morris

Excused:  Representatives Braddock, Brekke