HOUSE BILL REPORT

HB 1072

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.

Background:

The Department of Commerce administers a number of programs through its five operating divisions with the goal of "enhancing and promoting sustainable community and economic vitality in Washington."

In recent years, Senate and House bills were introduced to create an agricultural training grant program. Those bills were not enacted; however, funding was provided in the state's operating budget for agricultural training.

In the 2007-09 Operating Budget, $500,000 was appropriated from the State General Fund as pass through funding to the Opportunities Industrialization Center, a nonprofit organization, to provide training to agricultural workers related to farm skills, English as a second language, and other skills. In the 2009-11 Operating Budget, the Legislature appropriated $500,000 ($424,000 from the Accident Account and $76,000 from the Medical Aid Account) for the implementation of a community agricultural worker safety grant. The Department of Labor and Industries was required to enter into an interagency agreement with the Department of Agriculture to implement the grant. The Legislature did not provide funding to the Department of Labor and Industries for that grant program in the 2011-13 Operating Budget.

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Summary of Substitute Bill:

The Legislature recognizes that providing skills and safety training for agricultural workers helps ensure the workers' success and safety and the continued success of Washington’s agricultural industry.

Subject to funds appropriated for this purpose, the Department of Commerce (Department) must create and administer the Agricultural Labor Skills and Safety Grant Program.

The Department must select one grant recipient that has a community-based organization with the ability to carry out the objectives of the program. The grant recipient must work with agricultural employee and agricultural employer organizations to provide workforce skills and safety training to agricultural workers. The grant recipient must:

design and implement an agricultural skills program and provide health and safety training;
develop a plan to increase the number of skilled agricultural workers through a recruitment process;
evaluate trainings and service delivery strategies for agricultural workers and employers;
partner with an agricultural employee and an agricultural employer organization that has focused on agricultural labor and employment issues and services for at least 10 years and has experience in providing training to agricultural employees; and
use a training delivery system that is sensitive to the needs of agricultural employees and employers.

The grant recipient may receive up to $750,000 per year. The provisions creating the grant program expire July 1, 2016.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:

The substitute bill: (1) requires the grant recipient to work with agricultural employee and agricultural employer organizations in developing and implementing the training program and in conducting project evaluations; (2) provides that the grant recipient partner with an agricultural employee and an agricultural employer organization (rather than an agricultural association) and removes the requirement that the organization have focused exclusively on agricultural labor and employment issues; and (3) re-words language for clarity.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony:

(In support) Agriculture is a $40 billion industry in Washington. The Agricultural Vocational Institute that the Opportunities Industrialization Center ran for several years was very successful. The heart of the program is to give employees the chance to have a career. The industry has become increasingly sophisticated, with new technology and science. This program will give workers the opportunity to move up into the business of agriculture. Employers want to have confidence that the employees they are hiring can be left to handle expensive equipment without a lot of supervision. Employers want to know that workers can solve problems if something goes wrong with the equipment. Training would include first aid, work place safety, basic mechanics, and pesticide safety. Training would be out on the farms where employers and employees would participate. Employees will benefit because they will be more employable and can get higher wages and receive transferable skills. The industry benefits because they get adequate and skilled workers. Training will help reduce injuries and industrial insurance claims.

(In support with amendments) Agriculture ranks as one of the most hazardous industries in the state. Many workers die from work-related injuries. The bill needs to have language to make sure that farm workers themselves are involved in developing and evaluating the training. The bill should specify a funding source, preferably from the State General Fund. There needs to be flexibility in the bill and it should not just be limited to one grant recipient.

(Opposed) None.

Persons Testifying: (In support) Representative Chandler, prime sponsor; Rogelio Riojas and Gilbert Alaniz, Sea Mar Community Health Centers; and Michael Gempler, Washington Growers League.

(In support with amendments) Teresa Mosqueda, Washington State Labor Council; and Scott Dilley, Washington Farm Bureau.