HOUSE BILL REPORT

HB 2463

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 Reported by House Committee On:

Higher Education

Title: An act relating to the adoption of the state comprehensive plan for workforce training and education.

Brief Description: Modifying the adoption provisions on the state comprehensive plan for workforce training and education.

Sponsors: Representative Sells.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:

Higher Education: 1/16/18, 1/17/18 [DPS].

Brief Summary of Substitute Bill

  • Makes it discretionary, rather than mandatory, for the Legislature to hold public hearings and approve of or recommend changes to the Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board's comprehensive plan.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON HIGHER EDUCATION

Majority Report: The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass. Signed by 5 members: Representatives Hansen, Chair; Pollet, Vice Chair; Orwall, Sells and Tarleton.

Minority Report: Do not pass. Signed by 2 members: Representatives Holy, Ranking Minority Member; Van Werven, Assistant Ranking Minority Member.

Minority Report: Without recommendation. Signed by 1 member: Representative Haler.

Staff: Trudes Tango (786-7384).

Background:

The Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board (Workforce Board) advises the Governor on workforce development policy, ensures that the state's workforce training and preparation services and programs work together, and evaluates performance.

The Workforce Board is required to develop and maintain a 10-year state comprehensive strategic plan for workforce training and education.  The plan must establish goals, objectives, and priorities for the state's training system.  The comprehensive plan serves as the roadmap for the workforce development system. The Workforce Board must report each year to the appropriate committees of the Legislature its progress in implementing the comprehensive plan.

Every four years, the Workforce Board must provide the Legislature and the Governor with an update of the plan.  The Legislature, after public hearings, must approve or recommend changes to the plan by way of a concurrent resolution.  Once approved, the plan becomes the state's workforce training policy unless legislation is enacted to alter the policies set forth in the plan.

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Summary of Substitute Bill:

The Legislature may, but is not required to, hold public hearings and approve of or recommend changes to the Workforce Board's comprehensive plan by concurrent resolution.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:

The original bill made it discretionary to approve of or recommend changes to the plan, but still required a public hearing on the concurrent resolution.

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Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

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

Staff Summary of Public Testimony:

(In support) The Legislature will still be able to make changes to the state comprehensive plan. It does not make sense to require the Legislature to run a bill on the floor to approve the plan.

(Opposed) None.

(Other) The Workforce Board welcomes the opportunity to share the state comprehensive plan with the Legislature.  There is a lot of work that goes into creating the comprehensive plan. The Legislature taking action on the plan demonstrates its commitment to the plan and all the entities involved in creating the state's plan.

Persons Testifying: (In support) Representative Sells, prime sponsor.

(Other) Eric Wolf, Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.