An Act To Create The Office Of Workforce Advancement Within The Department Of Economic And Community Development And Establish Statewide Workforce Advancement Goals

132nd Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Valli Geiger and 5 co-sponsors

Establishes the Office of Workforce Advancement in DECD to coordinate statewide workforce goals with the Dept. of Labor, funded by General Fund staff costs starting Jan 2026.

Pursuant to Joint Rule 310.3 Placed in Legislative Files (DEAD)

#administration #labordepartment #workforceadvancement

Overview and Purpose

LD 1465 proposes creating the Office of Workforce Advancement (OWA) within the Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD). The primary aim is to coordinate statewide workforce advancement efforts and establish statewide workforce advancement goals, in coordination with the Department of Labor. The bill envisions a centralized office to guide and align workforce development activities across the state.

Introduced: April 3, 2025

Committee: Housing and Economic Development

Status: Placed in Legislative Files (DEAD) pursuant to Joint Rule 310.3

Key Provisions (as introduced)

Establishment of the Office of Workforce Advancement within DECD.

The OWA would be responsible for coordinating statewide workforce advancement goals.

Coordination with the Department of Labor to develop and align goals and initiatives.

Staffing: Creation of at least one Public Service Coordinator I position to staff the OWA, along with related “All Other” costs.

The bill contemplates ongoing General Fund appropriations to fund the office.

Fiscal Impact (as indicated by the Preliminary Fiscal Note)

Net Cost to General Fund (staffing and related costs):

FY 2025-26: $71,533
FY 2026-27: $138,928
FY 2027-28: $143,957
FY 2028-29: $149,182

Appropriations/Allocations (General Fund) mirror the net cost amounts above.

Staffing assumption: The position would begin January 1, 2026.

Additional costs to the Department of Labor for coordination with DECD to establish statewide goals are expected to be absorbable within existing resources.

Note: The fiscal note covers ongoing General Fund costs for the new staff position and related operating costs; it does not indicate offsetting revenue or savings beyond the stated costs.

Affected Entities

State government:

Department of Economic and Community Development (creation and staffing of the Office of Workforce Advancement).
Department of Labor (coordination role with DECD on statewide goals).

General public and workforce ecosystem:

Employers, job seekers, training providers, and other workforce development partners could be impacted by a more coordinated statewide framework and goals (subject to future implementation details).

Procedural Timeline and Status

April 3, 2025: Referred to the Committee on Housing and Economic Development.

April 3, 2025: Committee suggested and ordered printed; sent for concurrence.

May 2, 2025: Work session held; voted ONTP (Ought Not to Pass).

May 12–13, 2025: Reported Out - ONTP; Pursuant to Joint Rule 310.3 placed in Legislative Files (DEAD).

Overall status: The bill did not progress to enactment and is currently considered dead.

Potential Implications

If enacted, the OWA could provide a centralized framework for aligning workforce development activities across state agencies, potentially improving coherence of programs and metrics.

The effectiveness would depend on subsequent rulemaking, appropriations, and how the OWA integrates with existing DECD and Department of Labor initiatives.

The fiscal note indicates a modest initial staffing cost with ongoing annual increases, underscoring the need for ongoing budget appropriations if the office is sustained.

Note: This summary reflects the bill as introduced and the fiscal note attached; the current legislative status is dead, and any future reintroduction could differ in scope and funding.

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