SENATE BILL REPORT

                   SB 6491

                    As of January 21, 1998

Title:  An act relating to membership on the work force training and education coordinating board.

Brief Description:  Increasing membership on the work force training and education coordinating board.

Sponsors:  Senators Schow, Fraser, Anderson, Franklin, Horn, Heavey and Winsley.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Commerce & Labor:  1/22/98.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE & LABOR

Staff:  Jack Brummel (786-7428)

Background:  In 1991, the Legislature created the Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board and charged it with making the state's workforce education and training system better coordinated, more efficient, more responsive to the needs of business and workers, and more accountable for its performance.  The coordinating board's authorizing statute directs it to develop and maintain a comprehensive plan for workforce training, require a minimum of core data and establish minimum standards for program evaluation by the operating agencies of the state training system, and perform outcome-based, net-impact, and cost-benefit evaluations of the system as a whole.

In 1997 at the Governor=s direction, the Department of Community, Trade, and Economic Development hired a consultant to conduct an economic development assessment of the state=s needs and the department=s responsibilities.  In the recommendations from the assessment, the consultant noted that the number one economic issue facing Washington businesses today is the availability of skilled workers.

It has been proposed that placing the Director of the Department of Community, Trade, and Economic Development on the Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board  would better ensure coordination between workforce training priorities and the department=s economic development efforts.

Summary of Bill:  One additional representative of business, one additional representative of labor and the Director of the Department of Community, Trade, and Economic Development are added as members of the Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.