Brief⁽¹⁾

H.B. 2380 would amend current law regarding the Kansas Industrial Training (KIT) and Kansas Industrial Retraining (KIR) programs. This bill would change the definition of "job training agency" to include apprenticeship programs registered through the Kansas Apprenticeship Council and recognized by the United States Department of Labor, Bureau of Apprenticeship Training. This bill would allow these registered apprenticeship programs to receive KIT/KIR grants for purposes of training and retraining.

Background

Representative Grant requested this bill and testified in support. Representative Grant testified that these training grants are available from the Kansas Department of Commerce and Housing (KDOCH) and that applications are made to the KIT/KIR programs. The training grants evolve from lottery money (Economic Development Initiatives Funds) and are currently available for a new and expanding business, new employees, or restructuring of an existing business which includes updated training for new technology. Representative Grant testified that this legislation would only add registered apprenticeship programs to that list. Jim DeHoff, a representative of the AFL-CIO, testified in support of the legislation. Steve Jack, KDOCH, testified that his agency believes that these grants are already available to apprenticeship programs. Mr. Jack states that his agency has contracted with several other agencies to train companies with similar needs. KDOCH is neutral to this legislation. Tom Slattery of the Kansas State Apprenticeship Council also testified in support of the legislation. There were no opponents to the bill. Due to the noncontroversial nature of the legislation, the bill is to be put on the Consent Calendar.

There is no fiscal impact.

1. *Supplemental notes are prepared by the Legislative Research Department and do not express legislative intent. The supplemental note and fiscal note for this bill may be accessed on the Internet at http://www.ink.org/public/legislative/bill_search.html