tcs017_EmR1025.pdf Wisconsin Technical College System Board – Revises Ch. TCS 17 – EmR1025
Publication Date: July 2, 2010
Effective Dates: July 2, 2010 through November 28, 2010
ORDER OF THE WISCONSIN TECHNICAL COLLEGE SYSTEM BOARD
ADOPTING EMERGENCY RULES
The Wisconsin Technical College System Board proposes an order adopting the following emergency rule to amend Chapter TCS 17, relating to training program grant funds.
ANALYSIS PREPARED BY THE
WISCONSIN TECHNICAL COLLEGE SYSTEM BOARD
12. Place where comments are to be submitted and deadline for submission: As an emergency rule, comments will not be requested prior to adoption of the rule.
TEXT OF RULE
Section 1. Section TCS 17.06 is amended to read:
TCS 17.06 CONDITIONS OF THE GRANT AWARD. (1) District boards or employers receiving skills
training or education under the grant shall contribute matching funds, other
than in-kind matching funds, equal to at least 25% of total approved project
costs.
(2) Grant award funds, including
matching funds, may not be used for administration, marketing, or indirect
costs.
(3) The board may establish
limitations on the percentage of the grant award funds and matching funds that
may be used to purchase or lease instructional materials, software, equipment
or supply items and that may be used to fund staff development costs. Such
limitations shall be specified in the grant guidelines approved by the board
under TCS 17.03(2).
EFFECTIVE DATE
This emergency rule shall take effect on the date of publication in the official state newspaper as provided in s 227.24(1)(c), Wis. Stats.
FINDING OF EMERGENCY
The Wisconsin Technical College System Board finds that an emergency exists and that the attached rule is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, safety or welfare. A statement of the facts constituting an emergency is:
The Wisconsin Technical College System (WTCS) Board finds that an emergency exists and that the attached rule is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, safety or welfare. A statement of the facts constituting an emergency is:
In May 2010, the Wisconsin C.O.R.E. Jobs Act provided an additional $1 million GPR for the training program grants authorized in Wis. Stats. §§ 20.292(1)(eh) and 38.41. These funds were provided to address a critical need of Wisconsin employers for skills training and education necessary to protect the state’s economic vitality and health, with a special emphasis on advanced manufacturing and welding.
The WTCS Board is required to award these funds by June 30, 2011, the end of the current 2009‑11 biennium. In addition, TCS 17.06(1), Wis. Adm. Code requires that district boards or employers receiving skills training or education under the grant shall contribute matching funds, other than in-kind matching funds, equal to at least 25% of total approved project costs.
Due to the sustained decline in economic conditions and reduction in business revenues, technical college districts report that employers are withdrawing participation in approved training grants because of an inability to fund the 25% match. Therefore, to ensure that business and incumbent workers in need of skills training and other education may access these services and that appropriated funds are distributed to technical college districts for this purpose before the end of the fiscal year, emergency administrative rules eliminating the 25% match requirement must be established immediately.
Identical permanent rules are being proposed concurrent to this emergency order, however, that process will take several months to complete.
FINAL REGULATORY FLEXIBILITY ANALYSIS
Not applicable.
FISCAL ESTIMATE
The functions required by these rules can be absorbed within existing staff. Therefore, there is no fiscal effect on the agency.
CONTACT PERSON
Questions concerning these rules may be directed to Morna Foy, Executive Assistant, Wisconsin Technical College System, 4622 University Avenue, P.O. Box 7874, Madison, Wisconsin 53707‑7874; telephone (608) 266-2449; e-mail morna.foy@wtcsystem.edu.
Dated this 28th day of June, 2010.
Wisconsin
Technical College System Board
Daniel
Clancy, President
Wisconsin Technical College System