HOUSE BILL REPORT

HB 2675

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 House:

February 17, 2016

Title: An act relating to updating workforce investment act references and making no substantive changes.

Brief Description: Updating workforce investment act references and making no substantive changes.

Sponsors: Representatives Sells, Haler, Reykdal, Manweller, Ormsby, Ryu, Moscoso, Hayes, Zeiger, Johnson and Santos; by request of Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:

Higher Education: 1/26/16, 1/29/16 [DP].

Floor Activity:

Passed House: 2/17/16, 94-4.

Brief Summary of Bill

Updates references from the Workforce Investment Act to the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, from the Workforce Investment Board to the Workforce Development Board, and Public Law references.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON HIGHER EDUCATION

Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 10 members: Representatives Hansen, Chair; Pollet, Vice Chair; Zeiger, Ranking Minority Member; Haler, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Frame, Hargrove, Holy, Sells, Tarleton and Van Werven.

Staff: Megan Mulvihill (786-7304).

Background:

The federal Workforce Investment Act (WIA) was enacted in 1998 to reform job training programs, create a comprehensive workforce investment system, and establish the Adult Education and Family Literacy Act. The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) was enacted on July 22, 2014, to supersede the WIA and amends the Adult Education and Family Literacy Act, the Wagner-Peyser Act of 1933, and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. The WIOA reforms the public workforce system by consolidating job training programs under a single umbrella. Services for unemployed adults, dislocated workers, low-income youth, limited English proficient individuals, those with low literacy skills, and individuals with disabilities seeking vocational rehabilitation are prioritized under WIOA. The WIOA became effective on July 1, 2015, but the new State Unified Plans and Common Performance Accountability provisions take effect July 1, 2016.

The WIA established local Workforce Investment Boards (WIBs) to direct activities for the local workforce investment system. The WIA required that each of the WIBs develop a local strategic plan and oversee the state's WorkSource employment centers. The WIOA changes the name of the WIBs to Workforce Development Boards. Washington has 12 Workforce Development Boards.

Summary of Bill:

References in statute are changed as follows:

Workforce Investment Act to the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act;
Workforce Investment Board to the Workforce Development Board; and
various public law references are updated to reflect the new citations.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony:

(In support ) A technical fix for state laws that need to be changed to reflect federal changes in law and is a requirement of the state's federal workforce plan. The bill updates all statutory references from the 1998 WIA to the WIOA.

(Opposed) None.

Persons Testifying: Representative Sells, prime sponsor; Nova Gattman, Workforce Board.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.