2017 legislative review
post-secondary education
SSB 5069 associate degree education
Passed / AWB Supported
Sponsored by Sens . Maureen Walsh , R-Walla Walla ; David Frockt , D-Seattle ; Steve O ’ Ban , R-Univeristy Place ; Hans Zeiger , R-Puyallup ; Maralyn Chase , D-Shoreline ; Bob Hasegawa , D-Seattle ; Steve Conway , D-Tacoma ; and Guy Palumbo , D-Maltby , Substitute Senate Bill 5069 recognizes the value of providing postsecondary training to all eligible adults in Washington state . The bill authorized the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges to authorize a board of trustees within the system to promote and conduct associate degree education and training of incarcerated adults through new or expanded partnerships between the community and technical colleges and the Department of Corrections . SSB 5069 passed the House 78-20 and the Senate 46-0 .
SHB 1130 customized job training program
Passed / AWB Supported
Washington state ’ s Customized Job Training program , administered through the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges , provides training to employers and the ability to pay for that training over an 18-month period . Businesses also recieve the benefit of a business and occupation ( B & O ) tax credit as they pay for the training . With a severe impending workforce shortage for all industries in Washington state , programs such as the Customized Job Training program , are necessary tools for businesses to nurture job and business growth in the state . Through the Customized Job Training program , community and technical colleges can provide formal instruction in basic education and skills , English language for non-native speakers , technical skills and job-related instruction , skills assessment and evaluation , and training equipment , materials , facilities and supplies .
Since 2007 , Washington employers have utilized the Customized Job Training program to train 2,175 employees generating $ 1.7 million in revenue for the community and technical college system . Of those businesses taking advantage of this option , 17 are AWB members that have trained 695 employees and generated $ 600,000 in revenue for the community and technical college system . Sponsored by Reps . Drew MacEwen , R-Union ; Laurie Dolan , D-Olympia ; Sherry Appleton , D-Poulsbo ; Larry Haler , R-Richland ; Paul Harris , R-Vancouver ; Mike Sells , D-Everett ; Gael Tarleton , D-Ballard ; Jim Walsh , R-Aberdeen ; Sharon Tomiko Santos , D-Seattle ; and Beth Doglio , D-Olympia , Substitute House Bill 1130 prevented the program from expiring and made it permanent in statute . It passed the House 97-0 and the Senate 48-1 .
SSB 5022 / SSB 5100 education loans
Passed / AWB Supported
Current generations of post-secondary students and graduates have amassed high levels of student loan debt , hampering a generation from achieving economic progress . That ’ s why AWB supported legislation requiring higher education institutions to present a financial literacy seminar and take reasonable steps to ensure that incoming students participate in it . The seminar provides information to students about education loans . These efforts will lead to students who are better educated about their student loan-debt and increase the probability of long term financial security . Championed by Sen . Barbara Bailey , R-Oak Harbor , Substitute Senate Bill 5022 passed the Senate 49-0 and the House 91-7 and Substitute Senate Bill 5100 passed the Senate 48-0 and the House 83-15 .
workforce system
SB 5237 / SCR 8401 state workforce plan
Passed / AWB Supported
Enacted in July 2014 , the Workforce Investment and Opportunity Act ( WIOA ), authorizes federal investment in the state ’ s workforce training system . Senate Bill 5237 updates Workforce Investment Act references in state statute and Senate Concurrent Resolution 8401 approves the 2016 State Comprehensive Plan for workforce training and education . Sponsored by Sen . Barbara Bailey , R-Oak Harbor , SB 5237 passed the House 97-0 and the Senate 49-0 . SCR 8401 passed the House 96-0 and the Senate 48-0 .
SSB 5713 skilled worker program
Passed / AWB Supported
Washington is facing a shortage of skilled workers throughout the state , making it difficult for employers to expand and economic development entities to recruit new businesses to the state . Substitute Senate Bill 5713 , sponsored by Sens . Guy Palumbo , D-Maltby ; Lynda Wilson , R-Vancouver ; Hans Zeiger , R-Puyallup ; and Curtis King , R-Yakima , creates the skilled worker outreach , recruitment , and career awareness training program in an effort to increase the state ’ s skilled workforce . Funded in the budget at $ 150,000 for each year of the biennium , the program will provide matching funds for entities to create awareness of skilled worker training programs ( certificates , two-year degrees , and apprenticeships ) to Washington state ’ s untrained workers . SSB 5713 passed the House 93-4 and the Senate 47-2 .
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