BILL ANALYSIS
AB 1378
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Date of Hearing: January 21, 2010
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
Kevin De Leon, Chair
AB 1378 (V. M. Perez) - As Amended: January 4, 2010
Policy Committee: Jobs, Econ.
Development and the Economy Vote: 6 - 0
Veterans 8 - 0
Urgency: No State Mandated Local Program:
No Reimbursable:
SUMMARY
This bill creates an evaluation procedure under the California
Workforce Investment Board (CWIB) to determine the effectiveness
of the state's veteran workforce development programs.
Specifically, this bill:
1)Requires the CWIB to conduct an annual assessment evaluating
the effectiveness of federally funded and state administered
programs that are designed to assist veteran's transition into
civilian work, including, but not limited to, the $18 million
annual grant the state receives from the U.S. Department of
Labor (USDOL) for veteran workforce training.
2)Requires an annual report to the governor and the appropriate
policy and budget committees of the Legislature on the
effectiveness of the job skills training and employment
opportunities being provided to transitioning veterans.
3)Requires the CWIB to develop clear, comprehensive and
transparent objectives and appropriate criteria that can be
used to undertake the required assessment of the effectiveness
of the existing workforce training and job referral programs
for California veterans.
4)Requires the CWIB, in consultation with the Employment
Training Panel (ETP), the Department of Veterans' Affairs
(CDVA) and Employment Development Department (EDD), to
outline, implement and administer the provisions of the Act.
FISCAL EFFECT
AB 1378
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EDD is already statutorily required to report annually on
veteran's programs (see description below). It is likely that
EDD would provide that existing report to the CWIB, who would
then submit it to the Legislature. Therefore, there would be no
additional costs associated with this legislation.
COMMENTS
1)Purpose . According to the author, over the years, our nation
has called on our service men and women in the Armed Forces to
protect and serve Americans at home and abroad. Upon their
completion of service and return home, veterans face often
challenges transitioning back into civilian life. In fact,
many struggle to find jobs, housing, health services, and
other social services. In some cases, recovery from physical
and psychological injuries makes the transition into civilian
life more challenging. The author states, "Without adequate
employment opportunities or workforce training, American
veterans have few options for their futures outside of
reenlistment for military service or unemployment and
potential homelessness."
The purpose of AB 1378 is to ensure that money designated to
assisting veterans is effectively utilized for that purpose
and that veterans have the opportunity to develop the
competitive workforce skills required to obtain good paying
jobs.
2)Current EDD Reporting Requirements for Veteran's Programs .
Unemployment Insurance Code Sections 325.5 and 325.6 require
EDD to research the needs of veteran's throughout the state,
develop a statewide plan for serving veterans, and report to
the Legislature by November 1 each year on the number of
veterans receiving services, the employment retention rate,
and the average earnings for veterans entering employment.
3)Veterans' Job Training Programs . Currently, California
receives $18 million dollars annually from the United States
Department of Labor to pay for approximately 180 workforce
training staff. Assigned to positions within EDD, these
federally funded staff are dedicated to serving the needs of
veterans. Some of the staff are stationed in Sacramento,
while others are spread throughout the state at EDD's one-stop
job centers.
AB 1378
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The governor has also recently announced the creation of his
"Operation Welcome Home" for California veterans. Within that
effort is a plan for EDD to hire 325 limited term employees
beginning January 2010 to make up the Cal-Vet Corps. The
governor intends for these employees to help newly discharged
veterans access the benefits and services they need to
successfully enter the civilian workforce.
In addition to the efforts outlined above, the state currently
spends in excess of $500 million in a variety of job training
efforts. Those programs, while not targeted exclusively at
serving veterans, would be available for most veterans to
access, if they meet the eligibility requirements of the
programs.
4)California Workforce Investment Board (CWIB) . The board is
responsible for helping the governor in performing the duties
and responsibilities required by the federal Workforce
Investment Act of 1998. All members of the board are
appointed by the governor and represent various facets of
workforce development - business, labor, public education,
higher education, economic development, youth activities,
employment and training, are the Legislature.
Analysis Prepared by : Julie Salley-Gray / APPR. / (916)
319-2081