Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research | BILL ANALYSIS |
Higher Education Committee |
HB 1130
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. |
Brief Description: Making the customized training program permanent.
Sponsors: Representatives Haler, Pollet and Ryu; by request of State Board for Community and Technical Colleges.
Brief Summary of Bill |
|
Hearing Date: 1/17/17
Staff: Trudes Tango (786-7384).
Background:
The Legislature created the Washington Customized Employment Training Program (Program) in 2006 to fund workforce training in a manner that reduces the up-front costs of training to new and expanding firms in Washington.
The State Board for Community and Technical Colleges (State Board) administers the Program. The State Board awards training allowances to eligible employers who contract with qualified community and technical colleges or private vocational schools to provide customized training to individuals. Per trainee allowances are capped depending on the size of the business ($3,000 for businesses employing 50 or more positions and $6,000 for businesses employing less than 50 positions).
Preference is given to employers with fewer than 50 employees. The employer must make good faith efforts to hire from trainees in the Program. Colleges must make good faith efforts to use trainers preferred by employers participating in the Program.
At the completion of training, employers must re-pay the training allowance in phases over a period of 18 months. Repayments are deposited into the Training Finance Account that was created as part of the Program.
When originally created, the Program was set to expire in 2012. Before it expired, the Legislature extended the expiration date to July 1, 2017.
Summary of Bill:
The expiration date of the Washington Customized Employment Training Program is repealed.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Requested on 01/11/2017.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.