November 14, 2003
The full Senate today quietly approved legislation (S. 1627) to reform
and reauthorize the Workforce Investment Act. The bill, known as the
Workforce Investment Act Amendments of 2003, was approved by a unanimous
consent vote, meaning there were no objections from any members of the
Senate on its passage. The next step in the process will be a conference
committee to reconcile the House and Senate bills. WIA Reauthorization Background Information
On August 7, 1998 then President Clinton signed into law the Workforce
Investment Act (WIA), the first major reform of the nation’s job
training system in over 15 years. WIA expires on August 7, 2003. The
ETA released full detail of its proposal to reauthorize WIA on March
7. The 10-page document, available on the Workforce ATM, provides detail
on each of the six areas the Administration wishes to change, which are:
governance; the one-stop career center system; comprehensive services
for adults (consolidated block grant); a targeted approach to serving
youth; performance accountability (common measures); and state flexibility.
The legislation is on a fast-track in the House where it is likely to
be voted on by the full House before the Easter recess begins the week
of April 14.
House Bills / Bill Number -H.r. 1261
Brief Summary
Workforce Reinvestment and Adult Education Act of 2003" incorporates
much of the Administration's WIA reauthorization and reform proposal. It
would repeal the Wagner Peyser Act and combine the WIA Adult, WIA Dislocated
Worker and Wagner-Peyser funding streams into a consolidated grant. Of
this consolidated funding stream, it would make 50% available to the states
and 50% available to locals. However, 50% of the state allocation is required
to go to the local areas for the delivery of core services and to support
state staff that provides core services in agreement with local boards.
The bill provides that each mandatory partner program will contribute a
portion of their funds to one-stop infrastructure funding and that the
state board will develop the formula for distribution. Would give states
the authority to determine what standards, information and data will be
required for eligible training providers. Focuses youth efforts on out-of-school
youth only. Reduces number of performance measures to four for adult and
four for youth. Does not give states an option to apply for block grants
that would provide discretion on how to administer WIA Title I programs.
Status
3/20/03 House 21st Century Competitiveness Subcommittee approved a substitute
amendment;
3/27/03 House Education and the Workforce Committee marked-up
and approved;
5/08/03 amended and approved by full House.
Senate Bills / Bill Number - S. 1627
As Amended by the Senate HELP Committee on October 2.
Brief Summary:
Senate Report 108-187
S. 1627 represents a bi-partisan agreement between members of the Senate
Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee.
Status:
10/02/03 Marked-up and unanimously approved by the Senate HELP Committee;
11/05/03 HELP Committee releases report (108-187) to S. 1627;
11/14/03
The Senate passed its version.
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