Alabama

AL H.B. 273

To House Education Appropriations Committee - 03/08/2007

Proposes an income tax credit for both the employee and the employer based on the costs associated with the additional education and training for adult workers seeking higher paying and more demanding jobs.

AL S.B. 138

Pending Committee Action in Second House - 05/29/2007

The "Interlocal Cooperation Act" authorizes joint action by political subdivisions of the state, and between political subdivisions of the state and those of other states, for the establishment, purchase, and operation of public transportation systems, firefighting, law enforcement, and public works.  Enables local governments to cooperate with other localities on a basis of mutual advantage and to provide services and facilities in a manner and pursuant to forms of governmental organization that will accord best with geographic, economic, population, and other factors influencing the needs and development of local communities.

AL S.B. 140

To Senate Committee on Finance and Taxation Education - 03/06/2007

Adds certain film productions to the list of those qualifying for tax incentives allowed to promote business and industry.

AL S.B. 291

To Senate Committee on Finance and Taxation Education - 03/22/2007

Attracts private investment to develop a strong capital and infrastructure base for motion picture film, videotape, digital, and television productions by creating certain state tax credits and by providing sales, use, and lodging tax exemptions for entertainment industry companies working on certified infrastructure projects and certified productions.

2007 Ala. Acts, Act 415

Enrolled

Authorizes a bond issuance of $1,070,585,022 billion for capital improvements for schools, colleges, other institutions, state agencies, and job training, revenue appropriated and pledged from utility gross receipts and service tax and sales and use tax with certain conditions, refunding bonds authorized, tax exemption provided from all state taxes and provision for federal income tax exemption, distribution formula provided, Education Facilities Excellence Act.  Provided funds for capital improvements for workforce development; providing funds for capital improvements for the Alabama Technology Network; providing funds for capital improvements for Centers (IDC). Each IDC shall support, but not be limited to, Just In Time learning, simulation-based workforce development, distance learning, and creation of interactive three and four dimensional objects. Each IDC shall partner with private investment.

Arizona

AZ S.B. 1571

Signed by Governor  - 06/21/2007

Revises the composition of the governor's council on workforce policy to allow greater representation for small businesses; delays repeal of the Arizona Job Training Program (Program) and related provisions until January 1, 2018; and restricts grants from the Arizona Job Training Fund (Fund) for specified purposes.

Arkansas

AR H.B. 1614

Notification that AB 1614 is Now Act 899 - 04/04/2007

Appropriates funds to construct, equip and furnish an addition to the Workforce Technology Center at the Northwest Arkansas Community College.

Connecticut

CT S.B 1320

Referred by Senate to Committee on Appropriations, Immediate Transmittal - 4/20/2007

Establishes a pilot program to provide bioscience-related externship and cooperative work-study opportunities to students attending an accredited institution of higher education in Connecticut to help foster a skilled biotech workforce.

CT H.B. 6262

In House Joint Committee on Higher Education and Employment Advancement.  Public Hearing scheduled - 01/30/2007

Improves access to college education for low-income families by providing educational workforce advancement grants to low-income parents to assist them with the direct and indirect costs of education.

Florida

FL S.B. 1926 & H.B. 1301

Signed  by Governor -  06/19/2007

Revises work activities requirements for temporary cash assistance program participants to match federal guidelines and makes funding for childcare available to former welfare transition program participants.

Hawaii

HI S.B. 1362

To Senate Committee on Water, Land, Agriculture and Hawaiian Affairs - 01/26/2007.

Authorizes land acquisition, promotes quality of life initiatives, establishes renewable energy projects and the use of green building practices, and provides the infrastructure necessary to accomplish the strategic objectives outlined in the Kalaeloa's master plan.  The plan includes development of workforce housing and  workforce development.  It specifically provides for: (1) 3 million square feet of light industrial, commercial, retail and office space; (2) 7,000 jobs; (3)  approximately 6,350 residential units; (4)  A livable community that balances environmental, cultural, and economic values; and (5) An innovation environment to create opportunities for high-technology and alternative energy development.

HI S.B. 1931

Enacted in Law without Governor’s Signature - 07/10/2007

Establishes the educational workforce working group to survey workforce development in the state and assess the relationship between Hawaii's educational system and leading industries.

Minnesota

MN H.B. 1430

In House Higher Education and Work Force Development Policy and Finance Division, Bly added as Author - 03/05/2007   

Allows grant-in-aid to entities that 1) provide employment services to low-income individuals, and 2) broker connections among workers, employers, funding sources, and other stakeholders.  To be eligible, projects must demonstrate both participation of and an in-kind contribution from private business.

MN S.B. 1356

To Senate Committee on Business, Industry and Jobs - 02/28/2007

Appropriates $15,000,000 for a grant to Northern Minnesota RuralPlex Initiative in Grand Rapids to be used to implement and operate a pilot workforce program that provides one-stop supportive services.

MN S.B. 1616

Referred to Senate Committee on Business, Industry and Jobs  - 03/07/2007

Allows grant-in-aid to entities that 1) provide employment services to low-income individuals, and 2) broker connections among workers, employers, funding sources, and other stakeholders.  To be eligible, projects must demonstrate both participation of and an in-kind contribution from private business.

Montana

MT H.B. 286

Signed by Governor - 03/30/2007

Revises Big Sky Economic Development Program to provide targeted assistance encourage workforce development, including workforce training and job creation, in high-poverty counties.

North Dakota

ND H.B. 1027

Failed to Pass

Establishes a centers of excellence program to foster economic development through partnerships between higher education and the private sector.  Encourages the use of higher education research to promote private sector job growth and expansion of knowledge-based industries or to promote new products, high-tech companies, or skilled jobs.  Mandates that funds awarded are to be used to enhance capacity; enhance infrastructure; and leverage state, federal, and private sources of funding.  Creates a higher education intership program focusing primarily on target industries.  The division of workforce development is directed to collect and analyse data on for-credit and not-for-credit higher education internships; market internship opportunities to employers; and develop and implement strategies to reduce barriers to participation by both students and businesses.  Creates a tax credit for qualified compensation paid to a college intern.  Directs the division to develop and implement a career promotion program focusing on career opportunities available in the state's target industries for students in grades 9-12.  Creates a workforce recruitment credit for hard-to-fill employment positions.

N.D. H.C.R. 3025

Filed with Secretary of State  - 03/20/2007

Directs the Legislative Council to study possible methods of reversing the rural depopulation, outmigration of young adults and young families, and an increasing proportion of the elderly that are adversely affecting the state with the objective of growing North Dakota's population and increasing the available workforce in the state. 

Oregon

OR H.B. 2809

To House Committee on Workforce and Economic Development, Public Hearing Held - 03/19/2007

Requires recipients of economic development assistance from the Economic and Community Development Department for workforce, housing and public transit development projects to consider and plan for access to child care.

OR H.B. 2831

To House Committee on Workforce and Economic Development, Public Hearing Held - 0/09/2007

Finds that international outsourcing exacerbates unemployment and workforce dislocation and deprives Oregon residents of job opportunities, including jobs the state has expended development assistance resources to attract.  Prohibits public entities from awarding contracts or development assistance to vendors, bidders, contractors, subcontractors or development assistance applicants who perform the work outside the United States.

OR S.B. 350

Signed by Governor – 07/17/2007

Modifies administrative provisions for economic and community development, revises economic and community development programs, and establishes the Community Investment and Innovation Acceleration Funds.  The purposes of the fund are to create investment opportunities and attract jobs; promote innovation and research to improve the national and global competitiveness of Oregon companies; and assist communities to build the capacity to attract, retain and expand businesses, including necessary infrastructure. 

Texas

TX H.B. 2029

House Economic Development Committee report sent to Calendars -  04/12/2007

Prohibits block grant funding for certain workforce training and employment programs and functions unless the block grant funding is specifically authorized for the program or function under other state law.

TX S.B. 1273

To Senate Committee on Business & Commerce - 03/19/2007

Prohibits block grant funding for certain workforce training and employment programs and functions unless the block grant funding is specifically authorized for the program or function under other state law.

Utah

UT S.B. 10

Governor Signed - 03/07/2007

Modifies provisions of the Industrial Assistance Fund by creating a Rural Fast Track Program to help provide incentives to small companies in rural Utah to create high paying jobs in rural areas and to further promote business and economic development.  Specifically, the program provides for an application procedure, qualification criteria, an approval process; and criteria on which awards are based.

Vermont

VT H.B. 433

Governor Signed – 05/23/2007

Amends the Vermont Employment Training Program to create the Workforce Education and Training Fund which provides funds to training providers who collaborate with employers to design programs that prepare unemployed and underemployed workers for higher paying jobs.  Annual reports are to include a breakdown of the wages for jobs created and filled.  Emphasizes cooperation among the various entities involved in workforce education and training.  Creates an internship grant program to match Vermont students and employers.

Washington

WA S.B. 5400

Rules Committee determined no longer eligible for consideration - 03/21/2007

Provides method to facilitate interagency coordination between the economic development commission and the workforce training and education coordinating boards.  Seeks to strengthen the connection between the two programs.