job training programs;
administration
DPA |
Committee on Commerce and Economic Development |
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W/D |
Committee on Retirement and Government Operations |
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DPA |
Caucus and COW |
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X |
Third Read |
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As Passed the House |
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HB 2265 eliminates the Arizona Job Training Council and replaces it with a newly established Governor's Council on Workforce Policy established by Executive Order.
Current Status
HB 2265 was amended in the Commerce and Economic Development Committee as follows:
Requires the Council to annually determine the qualifying wages by county, and increases the allocation to 35% for small business (less than 300 employees).
The Committee of the Whole adopted an additional provision that adds business people to the Council and maintains the current law with respect to the unexpended monies.
Established in 1993, the Arizona Job Training Program is currently administered by the Department of Commerce to provide funding for statewide job training assistance. The 13-member Job Training Council develops guidelines for selection criteria and program operations, including application procedures, allowed/disallowed costs, limitations relating to project costs and procedures that ensure inclusion of all economic interests of the state. The following may provide the training: a State community college; a private post-secondary educational institution licensed under Title 32, Chapter 30, a community college operated by a Tribal government, or another qualified training provider, including employer-provided training.
The Program is currently funded primarily by a .1% employer tax, although other monies such as any legislative appropriations, gifts, grants and other monies complete the make-up of the Job Training Fund. Statute specifically directs all monies in the Fund to be expended for the costs related to training, except there may be reimbursement to the Department of Economic Security for administrative costs related to the collection of the employer tax. To participate in the program, an employer must pay either 90% or 100% of the average county wage (excluding mining and government) to the employees receiving the training. The Fund currently consists of approximately $9 million dollars and for FY 2002 awarded grants to 36 businesses training 14,778 employees statewide. The current allocations for the job training monies include:
Ø 25% for small businesses [fewer than 100 employees]
Ø 25% for rural businesses [until April 1 of each fiscal year]
Ø No more than 50% for Incumbent training
HB 2265 renames the Arizona Job Training Council and makes it an executive branch Governor's Council on Workforce Policy.