AN ACT Relating to workplace literacy; amending RCW 28A.16.050, 28A.34A.040, 28A.58.247, 28A.41.053, 28A.100.019, 28A.120.022, 28A.130.014, 28B.50.250, 28B.65.030, 43.06.110, 43.63A.078, and 43.121.130; adding new sections to chapter 50.12 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 28A.58 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 28A.100 RCW; adding new sections to chapter 28A.120 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 28A.125 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 28B.04 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 28C.04 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 43.160 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 43.168 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 49.04 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 74.21 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 74.22 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 74.23 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 74.29 RCW; creating new sections; and making an appropriation.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. (1) The legislature finds and declares the following:

(a) A highly educated, multiskilled, flexible work force is essential to Washington's economic growth, stability, and competitiveness between now and into the approaching new century.

(b) The diversity of the communities of Washington and the talents of the state's citizens are key strengths and that education and economic development fundamentally are community-based endeavors.

(c) The relationship between education and economic development is impacted by the influence of related issues on students' ability to learn and adults' ability to perform well at work. Such issues include but are not limited to: Family, peer and worker relationships; child care; substance abuse; dropouts; and public assistance.

(2) The legislature finds that the preferred standard of living and quality of life for Washington residents in the twenty-first century will be influenced by decisions made within the next few years. The challenge before the state is to rethink, reevaluate, and redesign the manner in which educational, social, and economic programs are structured, funded, and delivered in order that the state will engage the twenty-first century successfully.

(3) It is the intent of the legislature to invest in children, adults, and the communities of Washington, by establishing operation SPLICE: Skills for the person to live independently in the community and the economy. It is the intent of the legislature that operation SPLICE shall enable the state, through the collective strength of its communities and citizens, to compete effectively in the international economy.

(4) The legislature intends that operation SPLICE shall:

(a) Provide grant applicants the necessary flexibility to tie together various resources and service delivery programs in more coordinated, innovative, and comprehensive ways to in turn facilitate local workplace literacy and economic development initiatives via local partnerships;

(b) Help communities build upon their unique strengths, circumstances, and traditions by permitting the cost-effective pooling of resources and encouraging innovative coordination among a variety of disparate state, federal, and local programs through locally designed projects; and

(c) Provide small businesses throughout the state an opportunity to address the unique workplace literacy needs of their employees.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. A new section is added to chapter 50.12 RCW to read as follows:

Unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the definitions in this section apply throughout this act.

(1) "Client" means any person who receives services under a project established pursuant to sections 3 through 11 of this act.

(2) "Commissioner" means the commissioner of the employment security department.

(3) "Community" means a city or town as defined under chapter 35.01 RCW, a township as defined under Title 45 RCW, or a county as defined under Title 36 RCW.

(4) "Council" means the operation SPLICE advisory council established under section 6 of this act.

(5) "Department" means the employment security department.

(6) "Local education agency" means any public or private educational institution.

(7) "Private industry council" means a locally designated representative that provides policy guidance and exercises oversight for services provided under the federal job training partnership act.

(8) "Teacher preparation program" means a professional preparation program for teachers offered by a public or private higher education institution and approved by the state board of education pursuant to RCW 28A.04.120.

(9) "Workplace literacy" means those life skills which are fundamental to carrying out assigned work place duties and responsibilities, particularly competencies for personal adaptability and lifelong learning, including but not limited to:

(a) The ability to critically think and reason, read, write, speak and converse, listen, and observe;

(b) The ability to compute and use computers and calculators; and

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. A new section is added to chapter 50.12 RCW to read as follows:

(1) The employment security department shall develop and administer a voluntary program to be known as operation SPLICE. The department shall work with the following state agencies in developing the program:

(a) The department of social and health services;

(b) The department of labor and industries;

(d) The department of corrections;

(e) The department of trade and economic development;

(f) The small business improvement council;

(g) The economic development board or its successor agency;

(h) The office of the superintendent of public instruction;

(i) The state board of education;

(j) The state board for vocational education;

(k) The state board for community college education;

(l) The higher education coordinating board; and

(m) The Washington state library.

(2) The employment security department may consult with other state agencies and other interested parties as necessary and appropriate.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 4. A new section is added to chapter 50.12 RCW to read as follows:

Operation SPLICE shall include the following provisions:

(1) Subject to department approval and continued state funding, operation SPLICE projects initially funded for two years may be extended for a total period not to exceed six years. Funding for projects to continue beyond two years shall be subject to the requirements of subsection (9) of this section and section 10(2) of this act.

(2) The department shall allocate to the selected projects state funds as may be appropriated for the purposes of sections 3 through 11 of this act and such gifts, grants, and contributions as may be received by the department under section 9 of this act for the purposes of sections 3 through 11 of this act. Allocations shall be made on a matching basis.

(3) Projects selected to receive a grant or contract shall provide a local match as follows:

(a) The local match for the first and second years of the project shall be a minimum of twenty-five percent of the cost of the project.

(b) The local match for the third and fourth years of the project shall be a minimum of fifty percent of the cost of the project.

(c) The local match for the fifth and sixth years of the project shall be a minimum of seventy-five percent of the cost of the project.

(4) The local match may consist of local funds, state funds received under sections 13 through 38 of this act, federal funds, or contributions of services, materials, supplies, or physical facilities, or a combination thereof: PROVIDED, That state funds received under sections 13 through 38 of this act that are applied to the local match as required under subsection (3)(a)(b)(c) of this act shall obligate the operation SPLICE project applicant to include as part of the project those services and programs for which the state funds received under sections 13 through 38 of this act are allocated.

(5) The total cost of the grants and contracts awarded to successful project applicants shall not exceed the total allocation provided for operation SPLICE under section 40(1) of this act.

(6) The selection of projects for grant awards or contracts shall be the responsibility of the department.

(7) The board shall distribute the initial grant awards or contracts by July 1, 1990.

(8) The initial projects under operation SPLICE shall begin not later than September 30, 1990.

(9) Funding for a project beyond the initial two years shall be contingent upon the submittal of an annual progress report and an evaluation by the department of the success of the project toward meeting the goals identified in the grant application.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 5. A new section is added to chapter 50.12 RCW to read as follows:

(1) Communities, local education agencies, public nonprofit corporations, and other public or private entities as may be determined by the department, are eligible to apply to the department for a grant or contract under operation SPLICE.

(2) Applications may be submitted for the purpose of implementing a project under operation SPLICE or for enhancing an existing local program which meets the intent of section 1(5) of this act.

(3) An application shall include the following:

(a) Documentation that a local education agency and the applicable private industry council have participated in the development of the proposed project and specific roles and responsibilities have been identified for each once the project is implemented;

(b) Documentation that two or more of the following entities have participated in the development of the proposed project and specific roles and responsibilities have been identified for each once the project is implemented: An educational service district; a public or private nonprofit corporation; a chamber of commerce; an associate development organization or economic development council on contract with the department of trade and economic development; the local government of a community; a community-based provider of social services or health care, or both; an employer; local media; a state correctional institution; a residential school as defined under RCW 28A.58.770; or a main or branch office of a state agency.

(c) A community needs assessment that includes a review of: The community's economic status; the needs of the local education agency; and the social service and health care needs of the residents of the community;

(d) A statement regarding the education, social, and economic goals of the proposed project, including how workplace literacy will be addressed as part of the proposed project and target dates by which the goals are to be met during the project;

(e) A budget plan for the project and additional anticipated sources of funding, including private grants and contributions, if any, and client personal resources, if any;

(f) Identification of the technical resources or assistance desired in order to implement the project, including the potential costs of the assistance or resources;

(g) Documentation that in developing the project issues relating to child care, transportation, vocational counseling and other support services were discussed and, as appropriate, how such issues will be addressed to facilitate full participation in the project by clients;

(h) A description of the services to be provided to clients under the local project;

(i) A description of the methods and procedures to be used to evaluate the success of the project in meeting the identified goals, including, as appropriate to the goals of the project, how clients will be evaluated for acquisition of the life skills and workplace literacy competencies defined under section 2 of this act; and

(j) Such other information as may be required by the department.

(4) Every applicant shall provide evidence that the needs of the preemployed, the employed, and the unemployed have been considered in the development of the application.

(5) Initial applications to participate in operation SPLICE shall be submitted to the employment security department not later than April 15, 1990.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 6. A new section is added to chapter 50.12 RCW to read as follows:

(1) The department shall establish an operation SPLICE advisory council. The council shall be of such size as determined by the department but shall include persons representing:

(a) Education, including preschool through adult;

(b) Apprenticeship and training programs, including vocational rehabilitation;

(d) Labor;

(e) Private industry councils;

(f) Local government;

(g) The handicapped;

(h) Teacher preparation programs;

(i) Providers of social services or health care, or both; and

(j) Public libraries.

(2) The commissioner shall serve as the chairperson of the council and shall designate a nonpublic member to serve as the vice-chairperson. Council members shall serve no more than two three-year terms.

(3) Council members shall be reimbursed for travel expenses under RCW 43.03.050 and 43.03.060.

(4) The council shall meet at the call of the commissioner.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 7. A new section is added to chapter 50.12 RCW to read as follows:

The operation SPLICE advisory council shall undertake the following responsibilities at the direction of the commissioner:

(1) Assist the department in establishing other application criteria not specifically listed under section 5 of this act;

(2) Assist the department in screening applications;

(3) Make recommendations to the department regarding the selection of applicants for grant awards or contracts;

(4) Assist the department in the evaluation of projects; and

(5) Such other duties as determined by the commissioner.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 8. A new section is added to chapter 50.12 RCW to read as follows:

The department shall ensure that successful project applicants will be provided necessary resource and special support assistance in undertaking their activities under operation SPLICE. The department shall develop in cooperation with appropriate agencies or organizations, including small business owners or representatives, or both, a technical assistance program specifically for operation SPLICE.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 9. A new section is added to chapter 50.12 RCW to read as follows:

(1) The employment security department may accept, receive, and administer for the purposes of sections 3 through 11 of this act such gifts, grants, and contributions as may be provided from public and private sources for the purposes of sections 3 through 11 of this act.

(2) The operation SPLICE account is hereby established in the custody of the state treasurer. The commissioner shall deposit in the account all moneys received under subsection (1) of this section. Moneys in the account may be spent only for the purposes of sections 3 through 11 of this act. Disbursements from this account shall be on the authorization of the commissioner or the commissioner's designee. The account is subject to the allotment procedure provided under chapter 43.88 RCW, but no appropriation is required for disbursements.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 10. A new section is added to chapter 50.12 RCW to read as follows:

(1) The employment security department shall submit biennially to the legislature a report on the projects implemented under operation SPLICE. The report shall include such findings and recommendations as determined by the department. The first report shall be submitted not later than December 1, 1991.

(2) Each project selected for a grant award or contract under operation SPLICE shall submit an annual report to the department on the progress of the project. The annual report shall be a condition of receipt of continued funding.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 11. A new section is added to chapter 50.12 RCW to read as follows:

The employment security department shall adopt rules as necessary under chapter 34.05 RCW to implement the provisions of sections 3 through 11 of this act. The department shall adopt the rules not later than January 30, 1990.

Sec. 12. Section 14, chapter 278, Laws of 1984 and RCW 28A.16.050 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) Supplementary funds as may be provided by the state for this program, in accordance with RCW 28A.41.162, shall be categorical funding on an excess cost basis based upon a per student amount not to exceed three percent of any district's full-time equivalent enrollment.

(2) Districts shall be authorized to use some or all of the state allocation under subsection (1) of this section toward the local match requirement under section 4 of this act: PROVIDED, That the district's highly capable students program must be included as an element of the proposed operation SPLICE project.

Sec. 13. Section 4, chapter 418, Laws of 1985 as amended by section 4, chapter 174, Laws of 1988 and RCW 28A.34A.040 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) Approved preschool programs shall receive state-funded support through the department. School districts, and existing head start grantees in cooperation with school districts, are eligible to participate as providers of the state preschool program. School districts may contract with other governmental or nongovernmental nonsectarian organizations to conduct a portion of the state program. Funds appropriated for the state program shall be used to establish new or expanded preschool programs, and shall not be used to supplant federally supported head start programs. Funds obtained by providers through voluntary grants or contributions from individuals, agencies, corporations, or organizations may be used to expand or enhance preschool programs so long as program standards established by the department are maintained, but shall not be used to supplant federally supported head start programs or state supported preschool programs. Persons applying to conduct the preschool program shall identify targeted groups and the number of children to be served, program components, the qualifications of instructional and special staff, the source and amount of grants or contributions from sources other than state funds, facilities and equipment support, and transportation and personal care arrangements.

(2) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (1) of this section, an applicant which is selected to implement an approved preschool program as defined under RCW 28A.34A.020(5), and which is included as part of a proposed project under operation SPLICE established under section 3 of this act, may apply some or all of the funds received to establish the approved preschool program toward the local match required under section 4 of this act: PROVIDED, That the approved preschool program must be included as an element of the proposed operation SPLICE project.

Sec. 14. Section 1, chapter 138, Laws of 1973 as last amended by section 2, chapter 344, Laws of 1985 and RCW 28A.58.247 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) Notwithstanding the provisions of RCW 28B.50.250, 28B.50.530 or any other law, rule, or regulation, any school district is authorized to provide community education programs in the form of instructional, recreational and/or service programs on a noncredit and nontuition basis, excluding fees for supplies, materials, or instructor costs, for the purpose of stimulating the full educational potential and meeting the needs of the district's residents of all ages, and making the fullest use of the district's school facilities: PROVIDED, That school districts are encouraged to provide programs for prospective parents, prospective foster parents, and prospective adoptive parents on parenting skills and on the problems of child abuse and methods to avoid child abuse situations: PROVIDED FURTHER, That community education programs shall be consistent with rules and regulations promulgated by the state superintendent of public instruction governing cooperation between common schools, community college districts, and other civic and governmental organizations which shall have been developed in cooperation with the state board for community college education and shall be programs receiving the approval of said superintendent.

(2) Nothing in this section shall preclude a community education program from being included as part of a project implemented under operation SPLICE established under section 3 of this act.

Sec. 15. Section 11, chapter 66, Laws of 1971 ex. sess. as amended by section 5, chapter 87, Laws of 1980 and RCW 28A.41.053 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) The superintendent of public instruction shall submit to each regular session of the legislature during an odd-numbered year a programmed budget request for handicapped programs. Programs operated by local school districts shall be funded on an excess cost basis from appropriations provided by the legislature for handicapped programs and shall take account of state funds accruing through RCW 28A.41.130, 28A.41.140, and other state and local funds, excluding special excess levies.

(2) Districts shall be authorized to use some or all of the state funds received pursuant to subsection (1) of this section toward the local match requirement under section 4 of this act: PROVIDED, That the district's program for handicapped students must be included as an element of the proposed operation SPLICE project.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 16. A new section is added to chapter 28A.58 RCW to read as follows:

School districts may use a state funded local education program enhancement grant as provided under section 506, chapter 7, Laws of 1987 1st ex. sess., or as hereafter provided by the legislature, to meet all or part of the local match required under section 4 of this act: PROVIDED, That the purposes for which the local education program enhancement grant will be used must be included as part of the proposed operation SPLICE project.

Sec. 17. Section 9, chapter 401, Laws of 1987 and RCW 28A.100.019 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) No provision of ((~~this act~~)) RCW 28A.100.010 through 28A.100.026 may prohibit a school district from incorporating the educational outcomes and related measures as part of a schools for the twenty-first century pilot project.

(2) No provision of RCW 28A.100.010 through 28A.100.026 may prohibit a school district from incorporating the educational outcomes and related measures as part of a project implemented under operation SPLICE established under section 3 of this act: PROVIDED, That a district which is selected under RCW 28A.100.017 to field test the educational outcomes and related measures developed pursuant to RCW 28A.100.013, and which receives state funds to implement the field test, may apply some or all of the funds toward the local match requirement under section 4 of this act: PROVIDED FURTHER, That the district's field test of the educational outcomes and related measures must be included as an element of the proposed operation SPLICE project.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 18. A new section is added to chapter 28A.100 RCW to read as follows:

(1) No provision of RCW 28A.100.030 through 28A.100.068 may prohibit a school district from incorporating its schools for the twenty-first century project as part of a project implemented under operation SPLICE established under section 3 of this act.

(2) A district which is selected under RCW 28A.100.040 to implement a schools for the twenty-first century project, and which receives state funds to implement the project, may apply some or all of the funds toward the local match requirement under section 4 of this act: PROVIDED, That the district's schools for the twenty-first century project must be included as an element of the proposed operation SPLICE project.

Sec. 19. Section 7, chapter 478, Laws of 1987 and RCW 28A.120.022 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) Each school district which has established an approved program shall be eligible, as determined by the superintendent of public instruction, for state funds made available for the purposes of such programs. The superintendent of public instruction shall make use of data derived from the basic skills tests in determining the amount of funds for which a district may be eligible. Funds shall be distributed according to the district's total full-time equivalent enrollment in kindergarten through grade nine and the percentage of the district's students taking the basic skills tests who scored in the lowest quartile as compared with national norms. In making this calculation, the superintendent of public instruction may use an average over the immediately preceding five or fewer years of the district's percentage scoring in the lowest quartile. The superintendent of public instruction shall also deduct the number of students at these age levels who are identified as specific learning disabled and are generating state funds for special education programs conducted pursuant to chapter 28A.13 RCW, in distributing state funds for learning assistance. The distribution formula in this section is for allocation purposes only.

(2) Districts shall be authorized to use some or all of the state allocation under subsection (1) of this section toward the local match requirement under section 4 of this act: PROVIDED, That the district's learning assistance program must be included as an element of the proposed operation SPLICE project.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 20. A new section is added to chapter 28A.120 RCW to read as follows:

(1) No provision of RCW 28A.120.030 through 28A.120.050 may prohibit a school district from incorporating its substance abuse awareness program as part of a project implemented under operation SPLICE established under section 3 of this act.

(2) A district which is selected under RCW 28A.120.032 to implement a substance abuse awareness program, and which receives state funds to implement the program, may apply some or all of the funds toward the local match requirement under section 4 of this act: PROVIDED, That the district's substance abuse awareness program must be included as an element of the proposed operation SPLICE project.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 21. A new section is added to chapter 28A.120 RCW to read as follows:

(1) No provision of RCW 28A.120.060 through 28A.120.072 may prohibit a school district from incorporating its student motivation, retention, and retrieval program as part of a project implemented under operation SPLICE established under section 3 of this act.

(2) A district which is selected under RCW 28A.120.064 to implement a student motivation, retention, and retrieval program, and which receives state funds to implement the program, may apply some or all of the funds toward the local match requirement under section 4 of this act: PROVIDED, That the district's student motivation, retention, and retrieval program must be included as an element of the proposed operation SPLICE project.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 22. A new section is added to chapter 28A.125 RCW to read as follows:

(1) No provision of this chapter may prohibit a school district from incorporating an international education program pursuant to this chapter as part of a project implemented under operation SPLICE established under section 3 of this act.

(2) A district which is selected under RCW 28A.125.030 to implement an international education program, and which receives state funds to implement the program, may apply some or all of the funds toward the local match requirement under section 4 of this act: PROVIDED, That the district's international education program must be included as an element of the proposed operation SPLICE project.

Sec. 23. Section 106, chapter 518, Laws of 1987 and RCW 28A.130.014 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) The superintendent of public instruction, in consultation with the department of community development, the department of social and health services, the state board for community college education, and community-based, nonprofit providers of adult literacy services, shall develop an adult literacy program to serve eligible parents as defined under RCW 28A.130.012. The program shall give priority to serving parents with children who have not yet enrolled in school or are in grades kindergarten through three.

(2) In addition to providing basic skills instruction to eligible parents, the program may include other program components which may include transportation, child care, and such other directly necessary activities as may be necessary to accomplish the purposes of RCW 28A.130.012 through 28A.130.020.

(3) Parents who elect to participate in training or work programs, as a condition of receiving public assistance, shall have the hours spent in parent participation programs, conducted as part of a federal head start program, or the state early childhood education and assistance program under chapter 28A.34A RCW, or parent literacy programs under RCW 28A.130.012 through 28A.130.020, or a project implemented under operation SPLICE established under section 3 of this act, counted toward the fulfillment of their work and training obligation for the receipt of public assistance.

(4) State funds as may be appropriated for project even start shall be used solely to expand and complement, but not supplant, federal funds for adult literary programs.

(5) State funds as may be appropriated for project even start may be used by recipients to contribute toward the local match requirement under section 4 of this act: PROVIDED, That the recipient must be receiving adult literacy services as part of the proposed operation SPLICE project.

(6) The superintendent of public instruction shall adopt rules as necessary to carry out the purposes of RCW 28A.130.012 through 28A.130.020.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 24. A new section is added to chapter 28B.04 RCW to read as follows:

State funds as may be appropriated to providers of services for displaced homemaker programs pursuant to the provisions of this chapter may be used by the providers to meet all or part of the local match requirement under section 4 of this act: PROVIDED, That the provider must be included as part of the proposed operation SPLICE project: PROVIDED FURTHER, That the displaced homemaker program services offered by the provider must be part of the proposed operation SPLICE project.

Sec. 25. Section 28B.50.250, chapter 223, Laws of 1969 ex. sess. as amended by section 25, chapter 261, Laws of 1969 ex. sess. and RCW 28B.50.250 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) The state board for community college education and the state board of education are hereby authorized to permit, on an ad hoc basis, the common school districts to conduct pursuant to RCW 28B.50.530 a program in adult education in behalf of a community college district when such program will not conflict with existing programs of the same nature and in the same geographical area conducted by the community college districts: PROVIDED, That federal programs for adult education which are funded directly to the state board of education shall be administered by the superintendent of public instruction in cooperation with the director of the state board for community college education.

(2) Nothing in this section shall prohibit an adult education program implemented pursuant to the provisions of this section from being conducted as part of a project established under operation SPLICE established under section 3 of this act.

Sec. 26. Section 4, chapter 72, Laws of 1983 1st ex. sess. and RCW 28B.65.030 are each amended to read as follows:

A Washington state high-technology education and training program is hereby established. The program shall be designed to:

(1) Develop the competence needed to make Washington state a leader in high-technology fields, to increase the productivity of state industries, and to improve the state's competitiveness in regional, national, and international trade;

(2) Develop degree programs to enable students to be productive in new and emerging high-technology fields by using the resources of the state's two-year community colleges, regional universities, the University of Washington, Washington State University, and The Evergreen State College; and

(3) Provide industries in the state with a highly-skilled work force capable of producing, operating, and servicing the advancing technology needed to modernize the state's industries and to revitalize the state's economy.

No provision of the Washington state high-technology education and training program shall prohibit a grant applicant from including the Washington state high-technology education and training program as part of a proposed project under operation SPLICE established under section 3 of this act if such inclusion will meet the provision of RCW 28B.65.010(3).

NEW SECTION. Sec. 27. A new section is added to chapter 28C.04 RCW to read as follows:

Notwithstanding the provisions of RCW 28C.04.400 through 28C.04.480, an educational institution as defined under RCW 28C.04.410(3), which is included as part of a proposed project under operation SPLICE established under section 3 of this act, may apply some or all of a job skills grant as defined under RCW 28C.04.410(6) toward the local match required under section 4 of this act: PROVIDED, That the job skills grant program must be included as an element of the proposed operation SPLICE project.

Sec. 28. Section 2, chapter 14, Laws of 1965 as amended by section 2, chapter 177, Laws of 1971 ex. sess. and RCW 43.06.110 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) The governor, or his designee, is hereby authorized and empowered to undertake such programs as will, in the judgment of the governor, or his designee, enable families and individuals of all ages, in rural and urban areas, in need of the skills, knowledge, motivations, and opportunities to become economically self-sufficient to obtain and secure such skills, knowledge, motivations, and opportunities. Such programs may be engaged in as solely state operations, or in conjunction or cooperation with any appropriate agency of the federal government, any branch or agency of the government of this state, any city or town, county, municipal corporation, metropolitan municipal corporation or other political subdivision of the state, or any private corporation. Where compliance with the provisions of federal law or rules or regulations promulgated thereunder is a necessary condition to the receipt of federal funds by the state, the governor or his designee, is hereby authorized to comply with such laws, rules or regulations to the extent necessary for the state to cooperate most fully with the federal government in furtherance of the programs herein authorized.

(2) Operation SPLICE established under section 3 of this act may be considered to be an economic opportunity act pursuant to subsection (1) of this section.

Sec. 29. Section 7, chapter 125, Laws of 1984 as amended by section 33, chapter 505, Laws of 1987 and RCW 43.63A.078 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) The department shall develop and administer a local development matching fund program. To be eligible to receive funds under this program, an organization must be a local government or a nonprofit local development entity. Any local government or entity requesting funds must demonstrate the participation of a cross-section of the local community in the economic development project, including business, labor, education and training, and the public sector. Under this program, the department shall provide matching funds which shall be used for the formulation of local economic development strategies, including the technical analysis necessary to designate and carry out the strategies. A technical analysis can include, but is not limited to, the development and dissemination of data on local markets, demographics, comparative business costs, site availability, labor force characteristics, and local incentives. Funds are to be used primarily to foster new developments and expansions which result in the trading of goods and services outside of the state's borders. Funds may be made available for assisting local businesses in utilizing state and federal programs in exporting, training, and financing. Funds may also be used to provide technical assistance to businesses in the areas of land use, transportation, site location, and manpower training. Matching funds cannot be used for entertainment, capital expenses, hosting, or marketing. Funds granted for economic development projects must be matched by local resources on a dollar-for-dollar basis. Not more than fifty thousand dollars of state matching funds as provided by this section may be used for any one project.

(2) Funds received by a local government under subsection (1) of this section may be used by the local government to meet all or part of the local match requirement under section 4 of this act: PROVIDED, That the local government must be included as part of a proposed project under operation SPLICE established under section 3 of this act: PROVIDED FURTHER, That the local economic development project must be included as an element of the proposed operation SPLICE project.

Sec. 30. Section 3, chapter 278, Laws of 1988 and RCW 43.121.130 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) Funding shall be provided, as funds are available, in decreasing amounts over a two-year period, with the goal of having the programs become supported by local communities at the end of a two-year period. State funding may be continued in areas where local funding would be difficult to obtain due to local economic conditions to the extent funding is made available to the council.

(2) The council shall work with the projects in the program to evaluate the results of the projects. The council shall make recommendations on these projects and the program. A project agreeing to develop an evaluation component shall be considered for a three-year funding schedule. A report on the evaluations shall be made available to the legislature at the beginning of the legislative session in 1992.

(3) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsections (1) and (2) of this section, an applicant which is selected to implement a project pursuant to the provisions of RCW 43.121.110 through 43.121.130, and which is included as part of a proposed project under operation SPLICE established under section 3 of this act, may apply some or all of the funds received to establish the community-based early parenting skills program toward the local match required under section 4 of this act: PROVIDED, That the early parenting skills program must be included as an element of the proposed operation SPLICE project.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 31. A new section is added to chapter 43.160 RCW to read as follows:

A community as defined under section 2 of this act which receives a direct loan pursuant to the provisions of RCW 43.160.060 may apply all or part of the loan amount toward the local match required under section 4 of this act: PROVIDED, That the local government of the community is included as part of a proposed project under operation SPLICE established under section 3 of this act: PROVIDED FURTHER, That the project for which the loan is made must be included as an element of the proposed operation SPLICE project.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 32. A new section is added to chapter 43.168 RCW to read as follows:

A local development organization as defined under RCW 43.168.020 which receives a loan pursuant to the provisions of this chapter may apply all or part of the loan amount toward the local match required under section 4 of this act: PROVIDED, That the local development organization is included as part of a proposed project under operation SPLICE established under section 3 of this act: PROVIDED FURTHER, That the project for which the loan is made must be included as an element of the proposed operation SPLICE project.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 33. A new section is added to chapter 49.04 RCW to read as follows:

Notwithstanding the provisions of RCW 49.04.010 through 49.04.910, apprenticeship programs established pursuant to chapter 49.04 RCW may be included as an element of a proposed operation SPLICE project established under section 3 of this act.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 34. A new section is added to chapter 74.21 RCW to read as follows:

Notwithstanding the provisions of RCW 74.21.010 through 74.21.906, participation by clients and agencies in the family independence program may be included as an element of a project established under operation SPLICE established under section 3 of this act.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 35. A new section is added to chapter 74.22 RCW to read as follows:

Notwithstanding the provisions of RCW 74.22.010 through 74.22.120, participation by clients and agencies in the work incentive program for recipients of public assistance may be included as an element of a project established under operation SPLICE established under section 3 of this act.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 36. A new section is added to chapter 74.23 RCW to read as follows:

Notwithstanding the provisions of RCW 74.23.005 through 74.23.900, participation by clients and agencies in the work incentive program for recipients of aid to families with dependent children may be included as an element of a project established under operation SPLICE established under section 3 of this act.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 37. A new section is added to chapter 74.29 RCW to read as follows:

Notwithstanding the provisions of RCW 74.29.005 through 74.29.110, participation by handicapped persons, as defined under 74.29.010(1), in vocational rehabilitation programs may be included as an element of a project established under operation SPLICE established under section 3 of this act.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 38. The respective agencies under sections 13 through 37 of this act shall adopt rules as necessary under chapter 34.05 RCW to implement the respective provisions of sections 13 through 37 of this act.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 39. The sum of two million two hundred fifty thousand dollars, or as much thereof as may be necessary, is appropriated from the general fund for the biennium ending June 30, 1991, to the employment security department to carry out the purposes of sections 3 through 10 of this act. Two hundred fifty thousand dollars of this appropriation is provided solely to carry out the purposes of section 8 of this act.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 40. If any provision of this act or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of the act or the application of the provision to other persons or circumstances is not affected.