HOUSE BILL REPORT

                  HB 2812

             As Reported By House Committee on:

                Trade & Economic Development

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.

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 current 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.  For the 93-95 biennium, the appropriation is $1 million.

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

Fiscal Note:  Requested February 3, 1992.

Appropriation:  (1) The sum of $500,000 for the biennium ending June 30, 1993, and the sum of $1,000,000 for the biennium ending June 30, 1995, or so much thereof as may be necessary, are 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 appropriations in this section for administrative expenses or overhead.  (3) The appropriations in this section are 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 appropriations 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).