SENATE BILL REPORT

                                   EHB 2812

        AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE & LABOR, FEBRUARY 24, 1992

Brief Description:  Providing for aircraft maintenance vocational training.

SPONSORS: 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

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON TRADE & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

SENATE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE & LABOR

Majority Report:  Do pass as amended. 

      Signed by Senators Matson, Chairman; Anderson, Vice Chairman; McMullen, Moore, Murray, and Skratek.

Staff:  Catherine Mele (786‑7457)

Hearing Dates: February 24, 1992

BACKGROUND:

Several commercial airlines are considering establishing a major aircraft maintenance facility in Washington State.  It has been suggested that additional vocational training at the community and technical colleges would provide the skilled work force necessary for a new commercial aircraft maintenance facility.

SUMMARY:

$500,000 is appropriated to the Department of Trade and Economic Development (DTED) for the 1991-1993 biennium.  The monies appropriated are allocated by DTED to a technical or community college for a vocational training program in aircraft maintenance. 

The appropriation is contingent upon an airline locating a new maintenance facility in Washington State.  DTED may not use the appropriated monies for administrative expenses or overhead.  

Appropriation:  $500,000

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  requested February 20, 1992

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

SUMMARY OF PROPOSED SENATE AMENDMENT:

The appropriation of $500,000 to the Department of Trade and Economic Development is removed.  The Work Force Training and Education Coordinating Board is directed to allocate $500,000 this biennium and $1 million next biennium to a technical or community college for the aircraft maintenance program.  The Work Force Training and Coordinating Board is to make this allocation from existing funds of the Jobs Skills Program.  If by January 1, 1993, no airline has made a commitment to establish a new facility in Washington, the funds may be allocated to other job skills projects.

TESTIMONY FOR:  None

TESTIMONY AGAINST:

The Job Skills Program (JSP) provides opportunities for educational institutions and private businesses to become partners in the development or expansion of job skills training.  The earmarking of JSP funds for a commercial aircraft maintenance facility would severely handicap the fulfillment of JSP's economic development goals.  Monies would be targeted for one project only, and JSP would be unable to fund current and additional programs throughout the state.

TESTIFIED:  Merritt Long, Workforce Training and Coordination Board