FINAL BILL REPORT

HB 1568

C 117 L 19

Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description: Concerning port district worker development and occupational training programs.

Sponsors: Representatives Chapman, Dent, Blake and Walsh.

House Committee on Innovation, Technology & Economic Development

Senate Committee on Higher Education & Workforce Development

Background:

Port Districts.

Port districts are special purpose districts established for purposes related to: harbor improvements; rail, motor vehicle, water, air, or any combination of such transfer and terminal facilities; and other commercial transportation, transfer, handling, storage and terminal facilities, and industrial improvements. Port districts are authorized to:

• acquire land, property, leases, and easements;

• condemn property and exercise the power of eminent domain;

• develop lands for industrial and commercial purposes;

• impose taxes, rates, and charges;

• sell or otherwise convey rights to property; and

• construct and maintain specified types of park and recreation facilities.

Ports may also use resources and port facilities to attract visitors and encourage tourist expansion through advertising, publicizing, or otherwise distributing information in the port district or general area.

Port District Economic Development Programs.

Port districts are authorized to engage in economic development programs for job training and placement, pre-apprenticeship training, or educational programs. Qualified programs include those: in existence on June 10, 2010; and associated with port tenants, customers, and local economic development that is related to port activities.

Port districts may contract with nonprofit corporations to administer programs, and the nonprofit operating the economic development program must annually submit the following information to the sponsoring port:

• the number of workers trained, recruited, and placed in jobs;

• the types of jobs and range of compensation;

• the number and types of businesses that are served; and

• any other tangible benefits realized by the port, the workers, businesses, and the public.

Summary:

In addition to nonprofit corporations, port districts are authorized to contract with private and public entities, that deliver training systems and promote workforce diversity, to operate port economic development programs.

Economic development programs are expanded to include occupational job training, job advancement and retention, and occupational education programs associated with port tenants or port-related economic activity. Programs operated by a contractors must be associated with local economic development related to port tenants or port-related economic activities.

The annual reporting information required by contractors is expanded to include the number of jobs retained by the economic development program.

Port districts must ensure economic development programs align with the port's development goals and training initiatives. Ports are required to declare by resolution that port-related workforce development provides a substantial public benefit consistent with the port commission's economic development goals and ongoing port district worker training initiatives.

The requirement that a port district's economic development programs be in existence on June 10, 2010, is removed.

Votes on Final Passage: