BILL ANALYSIS
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|SENATE RULES COMMITTEE | AB 3|
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THIRD READING
Bill No: AB 3
Author: V. Manuel Perez (D)
Amended: 9/4/09 in Senate
Vote: 21
SENATE LABOR & INDUST. RELATIONS COMMITTEE : 4-2, 7/8/09
AYES: DeSaulnier, Ducheny, Leno, Yee
NOES: Wyland, Hollingsworth
SENATE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE : 8-5, 8/27/09
AYES: Kehoe, Corbett, Hancock, Leno, Oropeza, Price, Wolk,
Yee
NOES: Cox, Denham, Runner, Walters, Wyland
ASSEMBLY FLOOR : 52-25, 6/3/09 - See last page for vote
SUBJECT : Workforce development: Renewable Energy
Workforce
Readiness Initiative
SOURCE : Ella Baker Center for Human Rights
DIGEST : This bill requires the California Workforce
Investment Board (CWIB), in consultation with the Green
Collar Jobs Council, to establish a Renewable Energy
Workforce Readiness Initiative, as specified. This bill
requires the CWIB provide guidance to local workforce
investment boards on how to establish comprehensive green
collar job assessment, training, and placement programs
that reflect the local and regional economies.
CONTINUED
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Senate Floor Amendments of 9/4/09 further specify funding
sources for the bill's requirements; add a target
population to the list of others identified in the bill;
specify that apprenticeship programs, as used in the bill,
need to be state-approved; make certain requirements of the
bill permissible instead of required; and add
double-jointing language.
ANALYSIS : Under existing federal law, the Green Jobs Act
of 2007 authorizes $125 million per year to create the
Efficiency and Renewable Energy Worker Training Program, as
an amendment to the Workforce Investment Act, in order to
identify needed skills, develop training programs, and
train workers for jobs in a range of industries - including
energy efficient building, construction and retrofits,
renewable electric power, energy efficient vehicles,
biofuels, and manufacturing that produces sustainable
products and uses sustainable processes and materials. The
Act is administered by the United States Department of
Labor.
Under existing federal law, the American Recovery and
Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) has been created to
jumpstart our economy by preserving and creating jobs and
promoting economic recovery. The ARRA aims to stabilize
state and local government budgets, in order to minimize
and avoid reductions in essential services and
counterproductive state and local tax increases. The ARRA
aims to revive the renewable energy industry by creating a
competitive training grant program for worker training and
placement in green jobs. An aspect of the ARRA is focused
on reviving the renewable energy industry by providing
capital over the next three years to eventually double
domestic renewable energy capacity. Included in the ARRA,
are funds appropriated for a program of competitive
training grants for worker training and placement in green
jobs and high growth and emerging industry sectors, with
emphasis on careers in energy efficiency and renewable
energy. The ARRA has appropriated $750 million for this
competitive grant program and specifies that $500 million
be used for research, labor exchange and job training
projects that prepare workers for Green Jobs or careers in
energy efficiency and renewable energy.
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Under existing state law, the CWIB is charged with
developing a comprehensive workforce development plan for
the state as described in the Workforce Training Act of
2008 and the Workforce Investment Act of 1998. The CWIB is
responsible for assisting the Governor in the development,
oversight and continuous improvement of California's
workforce investment system. The CWIB is comprised of many
facets of workforce development including business, labor,
public education, higher education, economic development,
youth activities, employment and training, as well as the
Legislature.
Existing law authorizes the Governor to designate Local
Workforce Investment Areas (LWIAs) based on population and
commonality of labor markets. Currently, there are 49
LWIAs. Each LWIA is administered by a local workforce
investment board (LWIB) certified by the state in
partnership with local elected officials. LWIBs are
comprised of representatives from private sector
businesses, organized labor, community-based organizations,
local government agencies, and local education agencies.
LWIBs provide, among other things, policy guidance and
oversee the job training activities within their local
areas.
Under existing state law, the Green Collar Jobs Act
established the Green Collar Jobs Council (GCJC) under the
purview of the CWIB. Existing law requires that the GCJC
perform certain functions and duties, including the
development of a strategic initiative, relating to the
training and development of a skilled workforce to meet the
needs of California's emerging green economy. As part of
developing the GCJC's strategic initiative, the Council
must identify and develop the framework, funding,
strategies, programs, policies, partnerships, and
opportunities necessary to address the growing need for a
highly skilled and well-trained workforce to meet the needs
of California's emerging green economy.
This bill requires the CWIB, in consultation with the GCJC,
to establish a Renewable Energy Workforce Readiness
Initiative, as specified.
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This bill:
1. Requires the establishment of the Renewable Workforce
Readiness Initiative by January 1, 2011, to ensure green
collar career placement and advancement opportunities
within California's renewable energy generation,
manufacturing, construction, installation, maintenance,
and operation sectors.
2. Requires the initiative to provide guidance to the LWIBs
on how to establish comprehensive green collar job
assessment, training, and placement programs that
reflect the local and regional economies and to develop
strategies to best utilize moneys provided under the
ARRA.
3. Specifies that any strategies developed by the
Initiative shall address how to effectively provide
outreach, assessment, training, and placement to
prospective worker populations, including those that
have historically faced barriers to employment, as
specified.
4. Requires the Initiative to provide guidance on how to
engage target populations and evaluate potential
applicants' abilities to implement and operate renewable
energy workers training programs.
5. Requires the Initiative to address how LWIBs can
effectively collaborate and may include the
participation of all the following entities:
A. Nonprofit organizations.
B. Local governments.
C. State-approved apprenticeship programs.
D. Community colleges.
E. Postsecondary educational institutions.
F. Local workforce training partnerships and
collaboratives.
G. Regional occupational programs.
6. Requires the Initiative to further address how LWIBs can
prioritize programs that serve prospective workers who
have historically faced barriers to employment. This
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bill provides several examples of guidelines for such
programs.
7. Requires the CWIB to collect and analyze labor market
data, track workforce trends, document academic and
occupational competencies, identify future skills needs,
promote and support local workforce training
initiatives, and provide technical assistance and
capacity building to energy partnerships and
apprenticeship training programs that are approved by
the state-approved apprenticeship programs, related to
renewable energy and workforce development in
California.
8. Requires the CWIB, in developing the Initiative, to
assist the LWIBs in collecting and analyzing labor
market data, in order to assess accurate local or
regional industry cluster workforce development and
training needs.
9. Requires the CWIB to submit to the Legislature, no later
than January 1, 2013, a report on the implementation of
the Initiative, as specified.
10.Requires the CWIB to implement the provisions of this
bill using moneys made available to the CWIB from ARRA
funds, other federal law, or from other non-General Fund
sources appropriated to the state, to the extent that
those funds are available for that purpose.
11.Makes several findings and declarations pertinent to
California's renewable energy opportunities.
This bill requires the CWIB provide guidance to LWIBs on
how to establish comprehensive green collar job assessment,
training, and placement programs that reflect the local and
regional economies. This bill requires the CWIB to assist
the LWIBs in analyzing labor market data, in order to
assess local or regional industry cluster workforce
development needs. This bill imposes new duties on LWIBs
to revise memberships and plan requirements, thereby
creating a state mandated local program. The CWIB will be
required to implement the provisions of this bill using
moneys made available to the CWIB from ARRA funds, other
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federal law, or from other non-General Fund sources
appropriated to the state, to the extent that those funds
are available for that purpose.
This bill is double-jointed with SB 410 (Ducheny).
Background
Green jobs are generally defined as jobs that provide
products and services which use renewable energy resources,
reduce pollution, conserve energy and natural resources,
and reconstitute waste. In 2008, the Governor signed into
law AB 3018 (Nunez), Chapter 312, which established the
GCJC within the CWIB. The GCJC is charged with developing
a strategic initiative to identify and develop the
framework, funding, strategies, programs, policies,
partnerships, and opportunities necessary to address the
growing need for a highly skilled and well-trained
workforce to meet the needs of California's emerging green
economy.
Since the enactment of AB 3018, the GCJC has met several
times and is working to develop its strategic initiative as
required. AB 1394 (Bass), of this year, is a follow-up
measure to AB 3018 and if passed and signed into law will,
among other things, authorize the CWIB to accept any
revenues, money, grants, goods, or services from federal
and state entities, philan-thropic organizations, and other
sources, to be used for the administration and
implementation of the GCJC's strategic initiative. AB 1394
will also require the GCJC to consult with the appropriate
state and local agencies to identify opportunities to
coordinate the award of grant and green workforce training
funds received by the state under the federal ARRA or any
funding sources.
This bill requires the CWIB, in consultation with the GCJC,
to establish a Renewable Energy Workforce Readiness
Initiative that aims at ensuring green collar career
placement and advancement opportunities within California's
renewable energy generation, manufacturing, construction,
installation, maintenance, and operation sectors. This
bill also provides guidance to LWIBs on, among other
things, board participation and program selection.
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Prior/Related Legislation
AB 3018 (Nunez), Chapter 312, Statutes of 2008, established
the GCJC, within the CWIB, to perform specified tasks
related to addressing the workforce needs that accompany
California's growing green economy. Specifically, the bill
requires the GCJC to develop a strategic initiative to
identify and develop the framework, funding, strategies,
programs, policies, partnerships, and opportunities
necessary to address the growing need for a highly skilled
and well-trained workforce to meet the needs of
California's emerging green economy.
AB 1394 (Bass), 2009-10 Session, makes changes to
provisions governing the GCJC that would place additional
requirements on the council and create a mechanism for the
receipt of funds from specified state and federal
resources. The bill is a follow-up measure to AB 3018 from
last year. It is currently in the Senate Appropriations
Committee.
AB 380 (De La Torre), 2009-10 Session, enacts the
California Clean Energy Curriculum and Training Initiative
of 2009, which requires the Labor and Workforce Development
Agency, by July 1, 2010, to establish standardized
curriculum for the use at schools and to provide outreach,
assistance, and guidance to schools on creating clean
energy training programs. The bill is similar to AB 2224
(De La Torre), 2007-08 Session, which was held under
submission in the Senate Appropriations Committee. AB 380
is being held in the Assembly Appropriations Committee
FISCAL EFFECT : Appropriation: No Fiscal Com.: Yes
Local: Yes
According to the Senate Appropriations Committee:
Fiscal Impact (in thousands)
Major Provisions 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 Fund
Renewable Energy unknown, major costs ongoing to
theFederal/
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Workforce Readiness CWIB and for reimbursement
of General
Initiative LWIB mandated costs
* Federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009
until exhausted, then General Funds ongoing
SUPPORT : (Verified 9/4/09)
Ella Baker Center for Human Rights (source)
American Federation of State, County and Municipal
Employees, AFL-CIO
American Legion, Department of California
CalEnergy Operating Corporation
Calexico Community Action Council, Inc.
California Council for Environmental and Economic Balance
California Labor Federation
California State NAACP
Center for Employment Training, Coachella Valley Center
Center for Employment Training, El Centro Center
City of Calexico New River Committee
City of Oakland
Comit? C?vico del Valle
El Centro Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau and the
Brawley Chamber of Commerce
Imperial County Board of Supervisors
Imperial County Building & Construction Trades Council
Imperial Valley College
Imperial Valley Regional Occupational Program
Indio Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and
Governmental Affairs and Public Policy Committee
Latino Environmental Advancement and Policy Project
Long Beach City College
Natural Resources Defense Council
Oakland Workforce Investment Board
Planned Parenthood of San Diego and Riverside Counties
Plumbers & Pipefitters Local Union #230
PolicyLink
School for Integrated Academics and Technologies
Solar Millennium
State Building and Construction Trades Council, AFL-CIO
SunEco Energy, Inc.
The Institute for Socio-Economic Justice
Union of Concerned Scientists
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ARGUMENTS IN SUPPORT : According to the author's office,
California has been facing a high unemployment rate that
has continued to go up as the nation's economy suffers.
Proponents argue that California is fortunate to have some
of the finest solar, wind, and geothermal resources in the
world giving California the opportunity to lead the nation
in the development of renewable energy technologies and the
creation of green collar jobs. The author's office argues
that although renewable energy technology and job growth
potential exists in California, a program to ensure
workforce development in the Green Economy does not yet
exist. The author's office contends that lacking a
trained/skilled workforce in an underutilized local
renewable energy market is a problem, and believes that
this bill will ensure green collar career placement and
advancement opportunities within California's renewable
energy sectors.
Proponents argue that urban and rural regions in the state
possess tremendous potential for renewable energy
generation but are also, unfortunately, riddled with
poverty and extremely high unemployment rates. According
to the author's office, this bill will create the Renewable
Energy Workforce Readiness Initiative which is meant to
target specific populations such as low-income and
disadvantaged populations, at-risk youth, displaced and
incumbent workers in transition, veterans of past or
present service, and other struggling populations that are
unemployed in today's struggling economy. Proponents argue
that this bill will greatly impact our communities by
allowing our local people to be trained and work-ready for
this new and emerging industry.
ASSEMBLY FLOOR :
AYES: Ammiano, Arambula, Beall, Blumenfield, Brownley,
Buchanan, Caballero, Charles Calderon, Carter, Chesbro,
Coto, Davis, De La Torre, De Leon, Eng, Evans, Feuer,
Fong, Fuentes, Furutani, Galgiani, Hall, Hayashi,
Hernandez, Hill, Huber, Huffman, Jones, Knight,
Krekorian, Lieu, Bonnie Lowenthal, Ma, Mendoza, Monning,
Nava, Nestande, John A. Perez, V. Manuel Perez,
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Portantino, Price, Ruskin, Salas, Saldana, Skinner,
Solorio, Audra Strickland, Swanson, Torlakson, Torres,
Torrico, Bass
NOES: Adams, Anderson, Bill Berryhill, Tom Berryhill,
Blakeslee, Conway, Cook, DeVore, Duvall, Emmerson,
Fletcher, Fuller, Gaines, Garrick, Gilmore, Harkey,
Jeffries, Logue, Miller, Niello, Nielsen, Silva, Smyth,
Tran, Villines
NO VOTE RECORDED: Block, Hagman, Yamada
AGB:mw 9/4/09 Senate Floor Analyses
SUPPORT/OPPOSITION: SEE ABOVE
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