SENATE BILL REPORT
SB 5613
This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in
their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a
statement of legislative intent.
As Passed Senate, March 8, 2007
Title: An act relating to entrepreneurial training opportunities.
Brief Description: Concerning entrepreneurial training opportunities.
Sponsors: Senators Kilmer, Kastama, Kauffman, Shin, Delvin, Brown and McAuliffe.
Brief History:
Committee Activity: Economic Development, Trade & Management: 1/30/07, 2/7/07 [DP].
Passed Senate: 3/08/07, 49-0.
SENATE COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, TRADE & MANAGEMENT
Majority Report: Do pass.Signed by Senators Kastama, Chair; Kilmer, Vice Chair; Zarelli, Ranking Minority Member; Clements, Kauffman and Shin.
Staff: Jacob White (786-7448)
Background: The Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board was created by the
Legislature in 1991 in an effort to make the state's workforce education and training system better
coordinated, more efficient, more responsive to the needs of business and workers and local
communities, and more accountable for its performance. Among the current responsibilities of
the board is the development of coordination criteria for activities under the federal Job Training
Partnership Act. This federal law was replaced with the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) in
1998.
On February 23, 2005, the U.S. Department of Labor issued a memo titled "Training and
Employment Guidance Letter No. 16-04." This memo requested that states "encourage local
workforce investment boards to consider entrepreneurial training programs for WIA customers
as part of their menu of services and to explore the appropriate partnerships to support these
training programs."
There is no mention of entrepreneurial training or education among the Workforce Board's current
list of duties. Entrepreneurial training is a permitted training service under WIA, and self-employment is an allowable employment outcome. There are a number of entrepreneurial and
microenterprise training programs in the state.
Summary of Bill: The Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board is to develop policy objectives for WIA in the state and ensure that entrepreneurial training opportunities are available through programs of each local work force investment board in the state. The board is also to facilitate the development of programs for school-to-work transition that include entrepreneurial education and training.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.
Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony: None.
Persons Testifying: No one.