BILL ANALYSIS
AB 2696
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Date of Hearing: May 5, 2010
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
Felipe Fuentes, Chair
AB 2696 (Bass) - As Introduced: February 19, 2010
Policy Committee: Labor and
Employment Vote: 7-0
Urgency: No State Mandated Local Program:
No Reimbursable:
SUMMARY
This bill (a) sets forth additional duties of the Green Collar
Jobs Council (GCJC), and (b) authorizes the California Workforce
Investment Board (CWIB) to accept donations for workforce
training grants consistent with the strategic initiative
established by the GCHC. Specifically, this bill:
1)Requires the GCJC to assist in identifying green collar jobs
opportunities in local workforce areas and collaborate with
educational institutions, apprenticeship programs, labor
organizations, and other organizations to align workforce
development services with strategies for regional economic
growth.
2)Requires the GCJC to confer with state and local agencies to
coordinate the award of grant funds and green workforce
training funds received by the state under the federal
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.
3)Authorizes the CWIB to accept money, goods or services from
federal and state public entities, local philanthropic
organizations, and other sources, for purposes relating to the
administration and implementation of a strategic initiative
the GCJC is required to develop.
4)Authorizes EDD, upon an appropriation by the Legislature, to
spend these moneys for training grants consistent with the
strategic initiative.
5)Requires, by April 1, 2011 and annually thereafter, the CWIB
to report to the Legislature on the status of GCJC activities,
AB 2696
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grants awarded, and its development and implementation of
green workforce strategic initiative.
FISCAL EFFECT
Minor and probably absorbable costs for CWIB to process
donations and prepare reports, and for EDD to accept donations
and award job training grants. The bill authorizes donated
funds to be used for administration of the program.
COMMENTS
1)Background . The CWIB in was established by Executive Order in
response to the federal Workforce Investment Act (WIA) of 1998
to assist the Governor in setting and guiding policy in the
area of workforce development. The CWIB is charged with
developing a comprehensive workforce development plan for the
state as described in the Workforce Training Act of 2008 and
with federal responsibilities outlined in the Workforce
Investment Act of 1998.
Chapter 312/2008 (AB 3018, Nunez) established the GCJC under
the CWIB. The GCJC is tasked with understanding the current
and future workforce needs of the green/clean economy,
developing a comprehensive strategy to prepare California's
workforce to meet the needs of businesses supporting the
economy, and ensure that efforts aimed at improving worker's
skills are coordinated and effective.
2)Purpose . This bill is intended to further the objectives of AB
3018 by providing for the coordination of job training grants
that are funded by government and private sources. The author
notes that, through the federal American Recovery and
Reinvestment Act of 2009, California is receiving over $400
million in job training funds to be administered through our
existing workforce infrastructure. She asserts that it is
important that these grants be allocated in a way that
effectively develops a highly skilled and well trained
workforce to meet the needs of California's growing green
economy.
3)Previous legislation . The bill is similar to AB 1394 (Bass) of
2009, which was vetoed. In his veto message, the governor
stated that AB 1394 was unnecessary because the EDD currently
administers grants and WIA funding and that GCJC already has
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the power to consult with the Department of Industrial
Relations.
Analysis Prepared by : Brad Williams / APPR. / (916) 319-2081