BILL ANALYSIS
AB 2147
Page 1
Date of Hearing: May 7, 2008
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
Mark Leno, Chair
AB 2147 (Swanson) - As Amended: April 3, 2008
Policy Committee: Labor and
Employment Vote: 6-1
Urgency: No State Mandated Local Program:
No Reimbursable:
SUMMARY
This bill establishes the Green Jobs Corps Act of 2008 to fund
grants for energy efficiency and renewable worker training
programs. Specifically, the bill:
1)Establishes the Act to provide financial assistance to energy
efficiency and renewable energy worker training targeted at
individuals, including at-risk youth and formerly incarcerated
individuals, who are seeking employment pathways out of
poverty and into economic self-sufficiency.
2)Requires the Labor and Workforce Development Agency (LWDA) to
establish the grant program, and report biennially to the
governor and Legislature on the result of the program.
3)Establishes various criteria for grants, including the
requirement that entities receiving grants, provide a local
match.
4)Requires that grants shall be funded from federal and state
workforce development and job training funds, funds allocated
for rehabilitation and treatment of prison inmates, and
parolees.
FISCAL EFFECT
1)Annual costs, potentially in the range of $200,000, to LWDA to
develop and operate grant program.
2)Potential costs, ranging into the millions of dollars, related
to allocation of federal or state funds. Any redirection of
AB 2147
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federal or state workforce-related funds, or state prison
funds would reduce funding available for existing programs.
COMMENTS
1)Background . The passage of AB 32 (the Global Warming Solutions
Act), coupled with a general increase in emphasis on energy
savings and greenhouse gas emissions reduction, drives a
growing demand for environmental-related jobs-referred to as
"green jobs" or "green collar jobs." Examples of green jobs
include energy retrofitting, green waste composting,
sustainable landscaping, and production and installation of
solar panels and other energy-saving devices.
The federal Green Jobs Act of 2007, which was included in the
energy bill signed by the president, includes $125 million per
year to fund pilot programs to identify needed skills and
develop training programs focused on green industries. It
targets a broad population, but has a special focus on
expanding opportunities for less skilled, lower income
workers.
2)Rationale . According to the author, as the green economy
grows, there is an increased demand for highly skilled and
well trained workforce. The purpose of this bill is to target
federal and state funds toward "green job training programs"
for at-risk youth and others facing barriers to employment.
This concept is patterned after a Green Jobs Corp program
established in the City of Oakland, which involves recruitment
and outreach, training, paid internships and job placement
assistance. The author indicates that, in order for this and
similar local programs to be successful, the state needs to
make an investment in these types of programs.
3)Related Legislation . AB 3018 (Nunez), also in this committee,
creates a Green Collar Jobs Council, which would be
responsible for developing funding strategies, programs, and
opportunities to address the growing need for a highly skilled
workforce in California's emerging green economy.
Analysis Prepared by : Brad Williams / APPR. / (916) 319-2081