BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Appropriations Committee Fiscal Summary
Senator Christine Kehoe, Chair
2696 (Bass)
Hearing Date: 8/2/2010 Amended: 8/2/2010
Consultant: Bob Franzoia Policy Vote: L&IR 4-1
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BILL SUMMARY: AB 2696 authorize the California Workforce
Investment Board (CWIB) to accept any revenues, moneys, grants,
goods, or services from federal and state entities,
philanthropic organizations, and other sources, to be used for
purposes relating to the administration and implementation of
the strategic initiative. The bill would authorize the
Employment Development Department, upon appropriation by the
Legislature, to expend those moneys and revenues for purposes of
the strategic initiative and the award of grants. The bill would
require the Green Collar Jobs Council (GCJC) to consult with
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 American Recovery
and Reinvestment Act or any other funding sources. The bill
would require the CWIB, on or before April 1, 2011, and annually
each April 1 thereafter, to report to the Legislature on the
status of GCJC activities, grants awarded, and the development
and implementation of a green workforce strategic initiative.
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Fiscal Impact (in thousands)
Major Provisions 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 Fund
GCJC grants program $200 to $500 annually depending on
theSpecial*
participation amount of green workforce
training funds
available to the CWIB
* Federal, state, other sources
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STAFF COMMENTS: This bill meets the criteria for referral to the
Suspense File.
The CWIB was established by Executive Order in response to the
mandate of the federal Workforce Investment Act (WIA) 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.
The GCJC is comprised of the appropriate representatives from
the CWIB existing membership, including the K-12 representative,
the California Community Colleges
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AB 2696 (Bass)
representative, the Business, Transportation and Housing Agency
representative, the EDD representative, and other appropriate
representatives. The CWIB may call on
other state agencies and representatives of various non
governmental entities to serve as consultants to the GCJC in the
development of the strategic initiative.
This bill is similar to AB 1394 (Bass) 2009 which was vetoed
with the following message:
This bill would add a representative of the Department of
Industrial Relations (DIR) to the Green Collar Jobs Council
(GCJC). The bill would also create the Green Collar Jobs
Account in the State Treasury and would authorize the California
Workforce Investment Board (CWIB) to accept any revenues,
moneys, grants, goods, or services from federal or state
governmental entities, philanthropic organizations, and other
sources.
This bill is unnecessary. The Employment Development Department
currently administers all funding for grants and workforce
initiatives with Workforce Investment Act funds. Further, it is
inappropriate to include the DIR as a member of the GCJC as they
are not currently a member of the CWIB. The GCJC already has
the authority to consult with DIR as needed.