GLASS Report: Legislative Action Alert: Regular Session 2015-2016: Senate Bill 441

Short Title: An Act amending the act of December 18, 2001 (P.L.949, No.114), known as the Workforce Development Act, establishing the Workforce Development Commission and providing for its powers and duties.

Prime Sponsor: Senator GORDNER

Last Action: Referred to LABOR AND INDUSTRY, Feb. 13, 2015 [Senate]

Memo: Proposed Legislation Establishing a Workforce Development Commission

Printer's No.: 434*

MEMORANDUM

Posted:            January 21, 2015 04:14 PM

From:   Senator John Gordner

To:       All Senate members

Subject:           Proposed Legislation Establishing a Workforce Development Commission

In the near future, I will be introducing legislation which will create a Workforce Development Commission to make recommendations to the General Assembly and the Governor related, but not limited, to:

Improving the workforce development system in the Commonwealth;

Identifying and expanding educational opportunities that are linked to occupations that are in demand by employers in Pennsylvania; and

Determining what federal and state funding sources are available for workforce development and how to implement best practices statewide to maximize the use of those funds.    

The Commission will be comprised of:

Three members of the Senate appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate with one member designated as Chair of the delegation;

Three members of the Senate appointed by the Minority Leader of the Senate with one member designated as Chair of the delegation;

Three members of the House of Representatives appointed by the Speaker of the House with one member designated as Chair of the delegation;

Three members of the House of Representatives appointed by the Minority Leader of the House with one member designated as Chair of the delegation; and

Three members appointed by the Governor from within the Governor’s Administration.

The Commission will be modeled after the Basic Education Funding Commission and, as far as I am aware, will provide the first thorough review of the vast network of workforce development initiatives in the Commonwealth.

Thank you for your consideration and please contact my office if you have any questions regarding this proposed legislation.