HB 2227-S2.E - DIGEST
(DIGEST AS ENACTED)

Establishes the Washington state evergreen jobs initiative to: (1) Create fifteen thousand new green economy jobs by 2020;

(2) Capture and deploy federal funds;

(3) Prepare the state's workforce to take full advantage of green economy job opportunities;

(4) Attract private sector investment that will result in job creation and expansion of existing jobs;

(5) Make the state a net exporter of green industry products and services, with special attention to renewable energy technology and components;

(6) Empower local agencies and organizations to recruit green economy businesses and jobs into the state by providing state support and assistance;

(7) Capitalize on existing partnership agreements in the Washington works plan and the Washington workforce compact; and

(8) Operate in concert with the fourteen guiding principles identified by the department of community, trade, and economic development in its Washington state's green economy strategic framework.

Directs the workforce training and education coordinating board to create and pilot green industry skill panels.

Creates the evergreen jobs training account.

 
VETO MESSAGE ON E2SHB 2227

May 18, 2009

To the Honorable Speaker and Members,
The House of Representatives of the State of Washington

Ladies and Gentlemen:

I have approved, except for Sections 1, 3, 5, 6, 7, 13, 14 and 16, Engrossed Second Substitute House Bill 2227 entitled:

"AN ACT Relating to green jobs."

The Evergreen Jobs Act is another important step toward Washington's leadership in the emerging green economy.

The bill provides for improved information about employer needs and builds on the Employment Security Department's great effort around defining and forecasting green jobs. The bill promotes the development of green job training programs and more effective utilization of apprenticeships in filling green job employment demands. Finally, the bill creates the Evergreen Jobs Training Account which lays the foundation for future investments in workers and skills in this key segment of the economy.

In addition to these important steps forward, the bill includes some administrative provisions and other requirements that were not funded in the final budget. As a result, the intent sections in Section 1; the leadership team, duties, and related definitions in Sections 3, 5 and 6; requirements around training development that are not consistent with federal timelines in Section 7; and some technical provisions in Sections 13, 14 and 16 are vetoed.

Although the reporting requirements of Section 4 are not being vetoed, they have raised concerns about data availability, duplication of effort, and staff burden. Section 4 is retained with the understanding that the sponsor, the Department, and others will work together to identify appropriate measures and reporting.

Having vetoed the specific requirements around procedures, task forces, and reports, it must be noted that the goal of a more unified strategy for green jobs and some necessary, immediate steps forward are retained from this bill. Although some of the mechanisms in the bill are removed by veto, the state commitment to developing world class curricula and promoting green jobs remains vital and the sections of the Evergreen Jobs Act that are retained are a significant contribution to that effort.

For these reasons, I have vetoed Sections 1, 3, 5, 6, 7, 13, 14 and 16 of Engrossed Second Substitute House Bill 2227.

With the exception of Sections 1, 3, 5, 6, 7, 13, 14, and 16 Engrossed Second Substitute House Bill 2227 is approved.

Respectfully submitted,
Christine O. Gregoire
Governor