BILL ANALYSIS
AB 1567
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Date of Hearing: April 28, 2009
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON VETERANS AFFAIRS
Mary Salas, Chair
AB 1567 (Committee on Veterans Affairs) - As Introduced: March
16, 2009
SUBJECT : Employment training panel: 3-year plan: training
programs: veterans.
SUMMARY : Expands the number of specified projects that qualify
for priority funding from the Employment Training Panel (ETP) to
include projects that support veterans and members of the
California National Guard, especially those individuals who have
become disabled as a result of military service. Specifically,
this bill requires the ETP to include in its 3-year plan, a
description of the goals, objectives, and strategies to support
target populations, including veterans.
EXISTING LAW :
1)Provides for the establishment of employment training programs
and specifies which individuals qualify as "eligible
participants" of the training programs.
2)Establishes the Employment Training Panel (ETP) in the
Employment Development and requires the Governor to appoint
the executive director and two assistant directors of ETP
specifying that at least one assistant director have
experience serving the needs of small business.
3)Provides that ETP is governed by eight panel members. Seven
are appointed by the Governor and the leadership of the
Legislature and have backgrounds in business management and
employee relations, as specified. The Secretary of Business,
Transportation and Housing, or his/her designee, shall serve
as an ex officio, voting member.
4)Specifies the duties of ETP to include entering into contracts
for training in job-related vocational skills, as specified
and permits the ETP, subject to certain requirements, to
delegate its authority to approve contracts for new hire
training to any entity, as specified, for purposes of serving
the needs of small businesses.
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5)Requires the ETP, among other things, to establish a 3-year
plan, as specified, that must be updated annually to establish
minimum standards for the consideration of proposals,
including the identification of employers, and to develop a
process by which local workforce investment boards may apply
for marketing resources for the purpose of identifying local
employers that have training needs reflecting the priorities
of the panel. Authorizes the ETP to delegate its authority to
approve contracts for training to local workforce investment
boards, as provided.
6)Requires the ETP to allocate its annual funds for the training
programs designed for individuals who are currently working
and receiving specified benefits, as provided.
7)Authorizes the ETP to utilize funds in the Employment Training
Fund (ETF) for, among other expenditures, the purpose of
funding up to five licensed nurse training programs to train
individuals who are currently working as nurse assistants or
caregivers in a health facility, as defined.
FISCAL EFFECT : Unknown.
COMMENTS : The ETP is one of several departments within the
Labor and Workforce Development Agency and governed by a
seven-member panel appointed by the Governor and legislative
leaders. The purpose of the panel is to act on funding
proposals, to adopt appropriate program policies and
regulations, and to make final determinations regarding appeals
from decisions of the Executive Director.
In recent years, the ETP has faced significant reductions in its
funding. In fiscal year (FY) 2007-08, ETP's appropriation is
almost 30 percent below ETP's historical funding level. The ETP
has also experienced a 27 percent reduction in staff in the past
few years. Thus, ETP's biggest challenge is to determine how to
best utilize its finite funds and limited staff resources to
carry out its mission.
The Strategic Plan outlines ETP's strategies for accomplishing
its mission in the next fiscal year based on an assessment of
the state of the economy, priority industries, ETP's economic
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development role, employer demand for training, key workforce
trends and training needs, and ETP's budget and available
resources. The Plan establishes funding priorities, and
corresponding goals and objectives to address ETP's challenges
and opportunities.
REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION :
Support
California Association of Veteran Service Agencies
Opposition
None on file
Analysis Prepared by : Eric Worthen / V. A. / (916) 319-3550