FINAL BILL REPORT

SHB 2420

C 187 L 10

Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description: Promoting industries that rely on the state's working land base.

Sponsors: House Committee on Community & Economic Development & Trade (originally sponsored by Representatives Kenney, Orcutt, Van De Wege, Conway, Kessler, Blake, Hope, Herrera, Liias, Sullivan, Campbell, Schmick, Quall, Dammeier, Chase, Takko, Morrell and Smith).

House Committee on Community & Economic Development & Trade

House Committee on General Government Appropriations

Senate Committee on Economic Development, Trade & Innovation

Background:

2008 Green Economy Jobs Growth Initiative.

The 2008 Green Economy Jobs Growth Initiative (2008 Initiative) was one component of E2SHB 2815 which outlined a framework for reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the Washington economy. The 2008 Initiative: (1) established a goal of increasing the number of clean energy jobs in the state to 25,000 by 2020; (2) directed specific actions related to the green economy by a number of state agencies; (3) established a Green Industries Job Training Account in the State Treasury for green economy competitive grants; and (4) identified six categories of targeted workers.

2009 The Evergreen Jobs Initiative.

Engrossed Second Substitute House Bill 2227, enacted in 2009, established the Evergreen Jobs Initiative (2009 Initiative). Its goals were to: (1) create 15,000 new green economy jobs by 2020; (2) target 30 percent of these jobs to veterans, National Guard members, and low-income and disadvantaged populations; (3) secure and deploy federal funds, particularly American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds; (4) prepare the workforce to take advantage of green economy job opportunities; (5) attract private sector investment; (6) make the state a net exporter of green industry products and services; (7) empower green job recruitment and training by local organizations; (8) capitalize on existing partnership agreements; and (9) operate according to 14 guiding. The 2009 Initiative directed specific actions by a number of state. An Evergreen Jobs Training Account was created for competitive grants for curriculum development, transitional jobs strategies, and other uses.

2009 Reports by the Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development and the Employment Security Department.

In a January 2009 draft paper, "Washington State’s Green Economy – A Strategic Framework” the DCTED listed as green economy industries: clean energy (efficiency, renewable, alternative); green building; green transportation; and environmental protection and remediation (waste management, water conservation). The report noted that although the entire forest products and agricultural industries were not classified as green, certain activities such as organic farming and sustainable forest management fall within the green realm.

As directed by the 2008 Initiative, the ESD conducted research into the current labor market and projected job growth for the green economy. The ESD used the same DCTED definition of the green economy but described the core green industries and businesses as those engaged in energy efficiency, renewable energy, preventing and reducing pollution, and mitigating or cleaning up pollution. The results of its survey of private sector employers were presented in a January 2009 report, "Washington State Green Economy Jobs," and showed an estimated 47,000 in total direct, private sector green economy employment. Green jobs were reported in 27 industry classifications, including four related to the forest products industry: agriculture and forestry support activities, forestry and logging, wood products manufacturing, and paper manufacturing.

Summary:

The Legislature finds that the state's forest products industry plays a critical economic and environmental role, and that it is in the state’s best interest to support and enhance the industry. The Legislature finds that the state's forest practices are sustainably managed, the forests create environmental benefits, working forests help generate wealth through recreation and tourism, and the $17 billion industry provides approximately 45,000 direct jobs.

The ESD is required to analyze forest products industry occupations to determine key growth factors, employment projections, and education and skill standards required for existing and emerging green occupations. For purposes of the ESD analysis, the term "forest products industry" must be broadly interpreted to include, at a minimum, businesses that grow, manage, harvest, transport and process forest, wood, and paper products.

Pilot green industry skill panels must consist of business representatives from green industry sectors, including but not limited to, forest products companies, and companies engaged in energy efficiency and renewable energy production; pollution prevention, reduction and mitigation; green building work; and green transportation.

The Department and the Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board must identify barriers to the growth of green jobs in traditional industries such as the forest products industry.

Votes on Final Passage: