BILL ANALYSIS �
AB 285
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Date of Hearing: April 17, 2013
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
Mike Gatto, Chair
AB 285 (Brown) - As Introduced: February 11, 2013
Policy Committee: JEDE Vote:8-0
Urgency: No State Mandated Local Program:
No Reimbursable:
SUMMARY
This bill requires the California Workforce Investment Board
(CWIB) to make recommendations and provide technical assistance
on entrepreneurial training opportunities that local workforce
investment boards (WIBs) could use. Specifically, this bill:
1)Requires, by January 1, 2015, the CWIB to develop guidelines
and/or provide technical assistance to WIBs on how to
implement entrepreneurial and self-employment training
programs. The CWIB is directed to develop the guidelines in
consultation with appropriate state agencies and small
business-related organizations.
2)Recasts the requirements related to the CWIB developing
guidelines for targeting resources to high-wage industry
sectors.
FISCAL EFFECT
Minor absorbable costs for the CWIB.
COMMENTS
1)Purpose : The author states that AB 285 seeks to give
additional training assistance to microenterprises. The
author notes although there are many job training programs,
there is limited entrepreneurial training for established
businesses. The author argues AB 285 would address some of
the problems that microenterprises face by requiring the state
Workforce Investment Board to develop guidelines to ensure
that entrepreneurial training and technical assistance is
available through local workforce investment boards.
AB 285
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2)Background . There are over three million microenterprises in
California that employ over four million people. Common types
of microenterprises include engineering, computer system
design, housekeeping, construction, landscaping, and personnel
services. Although data on microenterprises is limited, a
subset of microenterprises are those business owners with no
employees. They make up the single largest component of the
business in California, 2.8 million out of an estimated
statewide total of 3.5 million firms in 2010.
3)Background . The federal Workforce Investment Act of 1998
provides funding for job training and employment investment
activities and programs in which states may participate,
including work incentive and employment training outreach
programs. The CWIB was established in response to the federal
requirements and funding.
Among its primary duties, the CWIB provides guidance to local
WIBs and develops a strategic plan to coordinate various
education, training and employment programs to help develop a
workforce to supports economic development. This plan is
required to be updated at least every 5 years in order to
address the state's changing economic, demographic, and
workplace needs.
4)There is no registered opposition to this bill.
Analysis Prepared by : Roger Dunstan / APPR. / (916) 319-2081