SENATE BILL REPORT

                           SCR 8421

         AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON TRADE, TECHNOLOGY

           & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, FEBRUARY 4, 1994

Brief Description:  Creating the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Training and Retraining.

SPONSORS: Senators Skratek, Newhouse, Vognild, Moore, Amondson, Prentice, Sutherland, Fraser, McAuliffe, Snyder, M. Rasmussen and Winsley

SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRADE, TECHNOLOGY & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 8421 be substituted therefor, and the substitute resolution do pass. 

     Signed by Senators Skratek, Chairman; Sheldon, Vice Chairman; Bluechel, Erwin, M. Rasmussen and Williams.

Staff:  Jack Brummel (786-7428)

Hearing Dates: January 25, 1994; February 4, 1994

BACKGROUND:

In 1993 the Legislature established the Joint Task Force on Unemployment Insurance in order to undertake an in‑depth review of Washington's unemployment insurance program.  The task force is composed of four members of the House of Representatives, four senators and four representatives of labor and business, respectively.

In reviewing the issue of training and retraining for unemployed workers, the task force identified that there were 63 training programs in 13 agencies within the state, with a combined budget of approximately $1 billion per year, and highlighted the need for greater coordination and cooperation between the various entities. 

In addition, the task force made the following findings: 

1.Lack of Strategic Plan:  At the present time the state lacks a consistent strategic plan to transition unemployed workers into gainful employment.

2.Lack of Scale and Scope:  There is currently a lack of scale in state training programs in providing the critical threshold of services needed to assist unemployed workers.  In addition, there is duplication of services to certain groups, e.g., the state Trade Adjustment Act programs and dislocated worker programs.

3.Develop Performance Indicators:  There is a need for state programs to cooperatively develop consistent and meaningful performance indicators in order to better allocate resources. 

As a result of these findings, the task force recommended that a Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Training and Retraining be established.

SUMMARY:

The Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Training and Retraining is established.  The committee is comprised of four members of the House of Representatives and four senators.  The committee is authorized to review the existing 63 training and employment programs contained in 13 agencies in the state and to report to the Legislature on what programs should be eliminated, combined, continued or expanded.  The committee's recommendations are to based on the program's policies, efficiency and performance.

EFFECT OF PROPOSED SUBSTITUTE:

The committee will review the Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board's comprehensive plan and its report on establishing a job training trust fund and uniform distribution criteria.  The committee will have nonvoting advisory members.

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  requested January 14, 1994

TESTIMONY FOR:

Coordination is needed.  It would be good if the Legislature's work and the Workforce Coordinating Board's work were not in conflict.

TESTIMONY AGAINST:  None

TESTIFIED:  Ellen O'Brien Saunders, WTECB (pro)