BILL REQ. #:  S-0596.2 

Read first time 01/18/2007.   Referred to Committee on Economic Development, Trade & Management.

     AN ACT Relating to aligning economic development and workforce development; amending RCW 43.162.010 and 28C.18.020; and creating a new section.

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

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   The legislature finds that workforce investment is an indispensable economic development strategy in a global economy, but the connections between workforce and economic development programs have not been strong enough. It is the purpose of this act to facilitate interagency coordination, helping to strengthen the connection between workforce and economic development programs.

Sec. 2   RCW 43.162.010 and 2003 c 235 s 2 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) The Washington state economic development commission is established to oversee the economic development strategies and policies of the department of community, trade, and economic development.
     (2)(a) The Washington state economic development commission shall consist of at least seven and no more than ((nine)) ten members appointed by the governor.
     (b) In making the appointments, the governor shall consult with organizations that have an interest in economic development, including, but not limited to, industry associations, labor organizations, minority business associations, economic development councils, chambers of commerce, port associations, tribes, and the chairs of the legislative committees with jurisdiction over economic development.
     (c) The members shall be representative of the geographic regions of the state, including eastern and central Washington, as well as represent the ethnic diversity of the state. Representation shall derive primarily from the private sector, including, but not limited to, existing and emerging industries, small businesses, women-owned businesses, and minority-owned businesses, but other sectors of the economy that have experience in economic development, including labor organizations and nonprofit organizations, shall be represented as well. A minimum of seventy-five percent of the members shall represent the private sector. Members of the commission shall serve statewide interests while preserving their diverse perspectives, and shall be recognized leaders in their fields with demonstrated experience in disciplines related to economic development. The executive director of the workforce training and education coordinating board, created under RCW 28C.18.020, shall be appointed ex officio, as a nonvoting member of the economic development commission.
     (3) Members appointed by the governor shall serve at the pleasure of the governor for three-year terms, except that through June 30, 2004, members currently serving on the economic development commission created by executive order may continue to serve at the pleasure of the governor. Of the initial members appointed to serve after June 30, 2004, two members shall serve one-year terms, three members shall serve two-year terms, and the remainder of the commission members shall serve three-year terms.
     (4) The commission chair shall be selected from among the appointed members by the majority vote of the members.
     (5) The commission may establish committees as it desires, and may invite nonmembers of the commission to serve as committee members.
     (6) The commission may adopt rules for its own governance.

Sec. 3   RCW 28C.18.020 and 1991 c 238 s 3 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) There is hereby created the workforce training and education coordinating board as a state agency and as the successor agency to the state board for vocational education. Once the coordinating board has convened, all references to the state board for vocational education in the Revised Code of Washington shall be construed to mean the workforce training and education coordinating board, except that reference to the state board for vocational education in RCW 49.04.030 shall mean the state board for community and technical colleges.
     (2)(a) The board shall consist of nine voting members appointed by the governor with the consent of the senate, as follows: Three representatives of business, three representatives of labor, and, serving as ex officio members, the superintendent of public instruction, the executive director of the state board for community and technical colleges, and the commissioner of the employment security department. The chair of the board shall be a nonvoting member selected by the governor with the consent of the senate, and shall serve at the pleasure of the governor. In selecting the chair, the governor shall seek a person who understands the future economic needs of the state and nation and the role that the state's training system has in meeting those needs. Each voting member of the board may appoint a designee to function in his or her place with the right to vote. In making appointments to the board, the governor shall seek to ensure geographic, ethnic, and gender diversity and balance. The governor shall also seek to ensure diversity and balance by the appointment of persons with disabilities.
     (b) The business representatives shall be selected from among nominations provided by a statewide business organization representing a cross-section of industries. However, the governor may request, and the organization shall provide, an additional list or lists from which the governor shall select the business representatives. The nominations and selections shall reflect the cultural diversity of the state, including women, people with disabilities, and racial and ethnic minorities, and diversity in sizes of businesses.
     (c) The labor representatives shall be selected from among nominations provided by statewide labor organizations. However, the governor may request, and the organizations shall provide, an additional list or lists from which the governor shall select the labor representatives. The nominations and selections shall reflect the cultural diversity of the state, including women, people with disabilities, and racial and ethnic minorities.
     (d) Each business member may cast a proxy vote or votes for any business member who is not present and who authorizes in writing the present member to cast such vote.
     (e) Each labor member may cast a proxy vote for any labor member who is not present and who authorizes in writing the present member to cast such vote.
     (f) The chair shall appoint to the board one nonvoting member to represent racial and ethnic minorities, women, and people with disabilities. The nonvoting member appointed by the chair shall serve for a term of four years with the term expiring on June 30th of the fourth year of the term.
     (g) The director of the department of community, trade, and economic development shall serve ex officio, as a nonvoting member of the board.
     (h) The business members of the board shall serve for terms of four years, the terms expiring on June 30th of the fourth year of the term except that in the case of initial members, one shall be appointed to a two-year term and one appointed to a three-year term.
     (((h))) (i) The labor members of the board shall serve for terms of four years, the terms expiring on June 30th of the fourth year of the term except that in the case of initial members, one shall be appointed to a two-year term and one appointed to a three-year term.
     (((i))) (j) Any vacancies among board members representing business or labor shall be filled by the governor with nominations provided by statewide organizations representing business or labor, respectively.
     (((j))) (k) The board shall adopt bylaws and shall meet at least bimonthly and at such other times as determined by the chair who shall give reasonable prior notice to the members or at the request of a majority of the voting members.
     (((k))) (l) Members of the board shall be compensated in accordance with RCW 43.03.040 and shall receive travel expenses in accordance with RCW 43.03.050 and 43.03.060.
     (((l))) (m) The board shall be formed and ready to assume its responsibilities under this chapter by October 1, 1991.
     (((m))) (n) The director of the board shall be appointed by the governor from a list of three names submitted by a committee made up of the business and labor members of the board. However, the governor may request, and the committee shall provide, an additional list or lists from which the governor shall select the director. The lists compiled by the committee shall not be subject to public disclosure. The governor may dismiss the director only with the approval of a majority vote of the board. The board, by a majority vote, may dismiss the director with the approval of the governor.
     (3) The state board for vocational education is hereby abolished and its powers, duties, and functions are hereby transferred to the workforce training and education coordinating board. All references to the director or the state board for vocational education in the Revised Code of Washington shall be construed to mean the director or the workforce training and education coordinating board.