Amendment ASA1-AB937

ASSEMBLY SUBSTITUTE AMENDMENT 1, TO ASSEMBLY BILL 937

February 17, 2022 - Offered by Representatives Sinicki, Shankland, Andraca, Drake, Spreitzer, Subeck, Neubauer, Hong, Emerson, B. Meyers, Ohnstad, Billings, Goyke, Doyle, Hesselbein, Conley, Vining, S. Rodriguez, McGuire, Baldeh, Shelton, Considine, Stubbs, Brostoff, Snodgrass, Bowen, Hebl, Vruwink, Pope, Riemer and Haywood.

AB937-ASA1,1,6 An Act to amend 20.445 (1) (b), 20.445 (1) (bm), 47.07 (1), 49.175 (1) (k), 106.26 (1), 106.26 (2) (d), 106.27 (2g) (a) 1., 106.27 (2g) (a) 2. and 106.27 (3); and to create 20.445 (1) (bp), 20.445 (1) (bq), 20.445 (1) (bw), 20.445 (1) (cm), 20.445 (5) (b), 47.07 (3), 106.27 (1p), 106.27 (1q), 106.274 and 106.29 of the statutes; relating to: creation and expansion of jobs programs, granting rule-making authority, and making an appropriation.

Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau

Worker Connection program

The bill requires the Department of Workforce Development to administer a created worker connection program to help prospective employee participants prepare for and enter quality jobs in targeted employment sectors identified by DWD as having high opportunities for career growth.

Pandemic recovery grants

The bill requires DWD to establish and operate a program to provide grants to local workforce development boards to fund pandemic recovery efforts to emphasize training, skill development, and economic recovery for individuals and businesses. The grants may be used for virtual and in-person job training, employment navigators or coaches, skill assessment, transportation, soft skill development, career or talent search services, and other programs to return employees to the labor market.

Pandemic workforce training program grants

The bill creates a pandemic workforce training program to be administered by DWD. Under the program, DWD is required to award grants to public and private organizations for the development and implementation of pandemic workforce training programs. The grants may be used for virtual and in-person job training, employment navigators or coaches, skill assessment, transportation, soft skill development, career or talent search services, and other programs to return employees to the labor market. The bill also permits DWD to require a public or private organization, as a condition of receiving a grant, to provide matching funds at a percentage to be determined by DWD.

Modification to employment transit assistance program

Under current law, DWD is required to administer an employment transit assistance program to address the deficiency in access to employment locations for workers and persons seeking employment. Current law limits funding under the program to projects in outlying suburban and sparsely populated and developed areas that are not adequately served by a mass transit system. The bill removes those geographic restrictions.

Project SEARCH program

Under current law, DWD is authorized to enter into contracts to provide employment skills services to individuals with developmental disabilities under the Project SEARCH program. The program is currently operated by the Cincinnati Children's Hospital and DWD administers the program for residents of this state. The bill changes the source of funding for the program to a dedicated appropriation in DWD. The bill also specifically authorizes DWD to engage in a number of activities related to the Project SEARCH program.

Transform Milwaukee Jobs and Transitional Jobs programs

This bill increases funding for the Transform Milwaukee Jobs and Transitional Jobs programs by $7,800,000 in the 2021-23 fiscal biennium. The Transform Milwaukee Jobs and Transitional Jobs programs are wage subsidy programs for individuals who meet certain financial and nonfinancial eligibility criteria. The programs are operated by the Department of Children and Families and are primarily funded through the federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families block grant.

Green jobs training program grants

The bill creates a green jobs training program to be administered by DWD. Under the program, DWD is required to award grants to public and private organizations for the development and implementation of green jobs training programs. The bill defines green jobs as jobs that produce goods or provide services that benefit the environment or conserve natural resources. The bill also permits DWD to require a public or private organization, as a condition of receiving a grant, to provide matching funds at a percentage to be determined by DWD.

The bill also provides additional funding for the University of Wisconsin System under its general program operations appropriation and for special education aid for school districts, independent charter schools, cooperative educational service agencies, and county children with disabilities education boards for purposes of maintaining compliance with maintenance of effort requirements of the federal Consolidated Appropriations Act and the federal American Rescue Plan Act.

The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do enact as follows:

AB937-ASA1,1 Section 1. 20.005 (3) (schedule) of the statutes: at the appropriate place, insert the following amounts for the purposes indicated: - See PDF for table - See PDF for table

AB937-ASA1,2 Section 2. 20.445 (1) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB937-ASA1,4,2 20.445 (1) (b) Workforce training; programs, grants, and services , and contracts. The amounts in the schedule for the workforce training programs, grants, and services under s. 106.27 (1), (1g), (1j), (1r), and (1u) and for the costs associated with contracts entered into under s. 47.07.

AB937-ASA1,3 Section 3. 20.445 (1) (bm) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB937-ASA1,4,11 20.445 (1) (bm) Workforce training; administration. Biennially, the amounts in the schedule for the administration of the local youth apprenticeship grant program under s. 106.13 (3m), the youth summer jobs program under s. 106.18, the employment transit assistance grant program under s. 106.26, the workforce training program programs under s. 106.27, the teacher development program grants under s. 106.272, the career and technical education incentive grant program under s. 106.273, the technical education equipment grant program under s. 106.275, and the apprentice programs under subch. I of ch. 106.

AB937-ASA1,4 Section 4. 20.445 (1) (bp) of the statutes is created to read:

AB937-ASA1,4,15 20.445 (1) (bp) Green jobs training program; grants. As a continuing appropriation, the amounts in the schedule for green jobs training program grants under s. 106.27 (1p).

AB937-ASA1,5 Section 5. 20.445 (1) (bq) of the statutes is created to read:

AB937-ASA1,4,19 20.445 (1) (bq) Pandemic workforce training program; grants. As a continuing appropriation, the amounts in the schedule for pandemic workforce training program grants under s. 106.27 (1q).

AB937-ASA1,6 Section 6. 20.445 (1) (bw) of the statutes is created to read:

AB937-ASA1,4,22 20.445 (1) (bw) Pandemic recovery grants. As a continuing appropriation, the amounts in the schedule for pandemic recovery grants under s. 106.29.

AB937-ASA1,7 Section 7. 20.445 (1) (cm) of the statutes is created to read:

AB937-ASA1,5,3 20.445 (1) (cm) Worker connection program. As a continuing appropriation, the amounts in the schedule for worker connection program administration, grants, and contracts under s. 106.274.

AB937-ASA1,8 Section 8. 20.445 (5) (b) of the statutes is created to read:

AB937-ASA1,5,9 20.445 (5) (b) Project SEARCH. As a continuing appropriation, the amounts in the schedule for the administration and general operations related to the project SEARCH program under s. 47.07, including field services to clients, administrative services, the purchase of goods and services, and vocational rehabilitation services for persons with disabilities.

AB937-ASA1,9 Section 9. 47.07 (1) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB937-ASA1,5,13 47.07 (1) The department shall allocate for each fiscal year at least $250,000 from the appropriation under s. 20.445 (1) (b) (5) (b) for contracts and activities entered into under this section.

AB937-ASA1,10 Section 10. 47.07 (3) of the statutes is created to read:

AB937-ASA1,5,19 47.07 (3) The department may facilitate Project SEARCH opportunities for young adults with disabilities, administer operations, contracts, and services related to the Project SEARCH program, provide training related to the Project SEARCH program, maintain existing Project SEARCH program sites, and manage the timing for expanding the number of available Project SEARCH program sites.

AB937-ASA1,11 Section 11. 49.175 (1) (k) of the statutes, as affected by 2021 Wisconsin Act 58, is amended to read:

AB937-ASA1,5,25 49.175 (1) (k) Transform Milwaukee and Transitional Jobs programs. For contract costs under the Transform Milwaukee Jobs program and the Transitional Jobs program under s. 49.163, $9,500,000 in each fiscal year $12,100,000 in fiscal year 2021-22 and $14,700,000 in fiscal year 2022-23.

AB937-ASA1,12 Section 12. 106.26 (1) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB937-ASA1,6,7 106.26 (1) Findings and purpose. The legislature finds that, for many workers and persons seeking employment in outlying suburban and sparsely populated and developed areas, conventional, fixed-route mass transit systems do not provide adequate transportation service. The purpose of the employment transit assistance program under this section is to correct this deficiency in access to employment locations and to stimulate the development of innovative transit service methods.

AB937-ASA1,13 Section 13. 106.26 (2) (d) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB937-ASA1,6,13 106.26 (2) (d) “Project" means a project designed to improve access to jobs, including part-time jobs and Wisconsin works employment positions, as defined in s. 49.141 (1) (r), located in outlying suburban and sparsely populated and developed areas that are not adequately served by a mass transit system and to develop innovative transit service methods.

AB937-ASA1,14 Section 14. 106.27 (1p) of the statutes is created to read:

AB937-ASA1,6,17 106.27 (1p) Green jobs training program. (a) In this subsection, “green jobs” means jobs that produce goods or provide services that benefit the environment or conserve natural resources.

AB937-ASA1,6,22 (b) From the appropriation under s. 20.445 (1) (bp), the department shall award grants to public or private organizations for the development and implementation of green jobs training programs. As a condition of receiving a grant under this subsection, the department may require a public or private organization to provide matching funds at a percentage to be determined by the department.

AB937-ASA1,15 Section 15. 106.27 (1q) of the statutes is created to read:

AB937-ASA1,7,8 106.27 (1q) Pandemic workforce training program. From the appropriation under s. 20.445 (1) (bq), the department shall award grants to public or private organizations for the development and implementation of pandemic workforce training programs that emphasize training, skill development, and economic recovery for individuals and businesses. The grants may be used for virtual and in-person job training, employment navigators or coaches, skill assessment, transportation, soft skill development, career or talent search services, and other programs to return employees to the labor market. As a condition of receiving a grant under this subsection, the department may require a public or private organization to provide matching funds at a percentage to be determined by the department.

AB937-ASA1,16 Section 16. 106.27 (2g) (a) 1. of the statutes is amended to read:

AB937-ASA1,7,12 106.27 (2g) (a) 1. Promulgate rules prescribing procedures and criteria for awarding grants under sub subs. (1), (1p), and (1q) and the information with respect to those grants that must be contained in the reports required under subd. 3.

AB937-ASA1,17 Section 17. 106.27 (2g) (a) 2. of the statutes is amended to read:

AB937-ASA1,7,17 106.27 (2g) (a) 2. Receive and review applications for grants under subs. (1), (1g), and (1j) (am), (1p), and (1q) and prescribe the form, nature, and extent of the information that must be contained in an application for a grant under sub. (1), (1g), or (1j) (am), (1p) or (1q).

AB937-ASA1,18 Section 18. 106.27 (3) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB937-ASA1,8,16 106.27 (3) Annual report. Annually, by December 31, the department shall submit a report to the governor and the cochairpersons of the joint committee on finance providing an account of the department's activities and expenditures under this section during the preceding fiscal year and detailing the amounts allocated to and expended for each of the programs, grants, and services specified in s. 20.445 (1) (b) and, (bm), (bp), and (bq) for that fiscal year. The report shall include information on the number of unemployed and underemployed workers and incumbent employees who participate in training programs under sub. (1) or, (1j), (1p), or (1q); the number of unemployed workers who obtain gainful employment, underemployed workers who obtain new employment, and incumbent employees who receive increased compensation after participating in such a training program; and the wages earned by those workers and employees both before and after participating in such a training program. The report shall also include information on the extent to which waiting lists for enrollment in courses and programs provided by technical colleges in high-demand fields are reduced as a result of grants under sub. (1g) (a), on the number of students who participate in certification or training programs under sub. (1) (a) or (e) or (1g) (b), on the building modifications funded under sub. (1) (f) and the effect of those building modifications on the school districts' technical education programs, and on the number of persons with disabilities who participate in employment enhancement activities under sub. (1g) (c). In addition, the report shall provide information on the number of student interns who are placed with employers as a result of the coordination activities conducted under sub. (1r) or the grants awarded under sub. (1) (d).

AB937-ASA1,19 Section 19. 106.274 of the statutes is created to read:

AB937-ASA1,8,23 106.274 Worker connection program. (1) Worker connection program. The department shall, from the appropriation under s. 20.445 (1) (cm), establish and administer a worker connection program that helps participants prepare for and enter jobs in high-growth employment sectors by pairing participants with achievement coaches who guide participants through the workforce system and partner with employers in high-growth employment sectors.

AB937-ASA1,8,25 (2) Implementation. The department shall promulgate rules to administer this section.

AB937-ASA1,20 Section 20. 106.29 of the statutes is created to read:

AB937-ASA1,9,3 106.29 Pandemic recovery grants. (1) In this section, “pandemic” means the 2019 novel coronavirus pandemic.

AB937-ASA1,9,11 (2) The department shall, from the appropriation under s. 20.445 (1) (bw), establish and operate a program to provide grants to local workforce development boards established under 29 USC 3122 to fund pandemic recovery efforts. The grants shall emphasize training, skill development, and economic recovery for individuals and businesses. The grants may be used for virtual and in-person job training, employment navigators or coaches, skill assessment, transportation, soft skill development, career or talent search services, and other programs to return employees to the labor market.

AB937-ASA1,21 Section 21. Fiscal changes.

AB937-ASA1,9,17 (1) Project search funding modification. In the schedule under s. 20.005 (3) for the appropriation to the department of workforce development under s. 20.445 (1) (b), the dollar amount for fiscal year 2021-22 is decreased by $250,000 and the dollar amount for fiscal year 2022-23 is decreased by $250,000 for the purpose for which the appropriation is made.

AB937-ASA1,9,23 (2) Transform Milwaukee and transitional jobs programs. In the schedule under s. 20.005 (3) for the appropriation to the department of children and families under s. 20.437 (2) (md), the dollar amount for fiscal year 2021-22 is increased by $2,600,000. In the schedule under s. 20.005 (3) for the appropriation to the department of children and families under s. 20.437 (2) (md), the dollar amount for fiscal year 2022-23 is increased by $5,200,000.

AB937-ASA1,9,25 (3) Special education aid. In the schedule under s. 20.005 (3) for the appropriation to the department of public instruction under s. 20.255 (2) (b), the dollar amount for fiscal year 2022-23 is increased by $5,045,000 to increase funding for aids for special education under s. 115.88.

AB937-ASA1,10,6 (4) UW System; general program operations. In the schedule under s. 20.005 (3) for the appropriation to the Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System under s. 20.285 (1) (a), the dollar amount for fiscal year 2022-23 is increased by $1,260,000 for the purpose for which the appropriation is made.

AB937-ASA1,10,7 (End)