Chapter 887 Oregon Laws 2009

AN ACT

HB 3300

Relating to the green economy; and declaring an emergency.

Be It Enacted by the People of the State of Oregon:

SECTION 1. Sections 2 to 6 of this 2009 Act are added to and made a part of ORS 660.300 to 660.339.

SECTION 2. As used in sections 2 to 6 of this 2009 Act:

          (1) “Green job” means a job that provides a service or produces a product that:

          (a) Increases energy efficiency;

          (b) Produces renewable energy;

          (c) Prevents, reduces or mitigates environmental degradation;

          (d) Cleans up and restores the natural environment; or

          (e) Provides education, consultation, policy promotion, accreditation, trading and offsets or similar supporting services for any of the activities identified in this subsection.

          (2) “Targeted population” means:

          (a) Entry level or similar workers in high demand green job careers who are in or preparing for high wage green jobs;

          (b) Dislocated workers in declining industries who are in or are seeking training for high wage green jobs;

          (c) Dislocated workers in the timber, agricultural or energy sectors who are in or are seeking training for high wage green jobs;

          (d) Veterans who are residents of Oregon or members of the Oregon National Guard; or

          (e) Members of disadvantaged groups.

SECTION 3. (1) The State Workforce Investment Board, in consultation with the Governor, the Education and Workforce Policy Advisor and other parties deemed appropriate by the board and after consideration of the clean energy and energy efficiency policies of this state, shall develop a plan for a green jobs growth initiative to promote the development of emerging technologies and innovations that lead to, create or sustain family wage green jobs.

          (2) The plan for the initiative developed by the board shall:

          (a) Identify industries that are high demand green industries based on current and projected creation of family wage green jobs and the potential for career pathways created for such jobs.

          (b) Use the needs of identified high demand green industries as the basis for the planning of workforce development activities that promote the development of emerging green technologies and innovations. These activities include, but are not limited to, such efforts undertaken by community colleges, the institutions of the Oregon University System, designated signature research centers, registered apprenticeship programs and other private sector training programs.

          (c) Leverage and align existing public workforce development programs and other public and private resources to the goal of recruiting, supporting, educating and training of targeted populations of workers.

          (d) Require the board to work collaboratively with stakeholders from business, labor and low income advocacy groups in the regional economy to develop and implement the initiative.

          (e) Link adult basic and remedial education programs with job training for skills necessary for green jobs.

          (f) Require the board to collaborate with employers and labor organizations to identify skills and competencies necessary for green job career pathways.

          (g) Ensure that support services are integrated with education and training for green jobs and that such services are provided by organizations with direct access to and experience with targeted populations.

SECTION 4. The State Workforce Investment Board, in consultation with state agencies, boards, commissions and private entities deemed appropriate by the State Workforce Investment Board shall develop a list of defined terms related to green jobs and the green economy that are consistent with current workforce development and economic development terminology.

SECTION 5. (1) The State Workforce Investment Board shall submit the final plan for the green jobs growth initiative required under section 3 of this 2009 Act in the manner provided in ORS 192.245 by January 14, 2010.

          (2)(a) The plan submitted in accordance with this section shall also be submitted to the appropriate interim committees of the Legislative Assembly.

          (b) In addition to providing the final plan, the board shall also submit progress reports on the development of the plan as requested by the interim committees.

SECTION 6. The Economic and Community Development Department, in consultation with the State Workforce Investment Board, shall:

          (1) Develop criteria for existing investments and new or expanded financial incentives and comprehensive strategies to recruit, retain and expand green economy industries and small businesses.

          (2) Make recommendations for new or expanded financial incentives and comprehensive strategies to stimulate research and development of green technology and innovation.

SECTION 7. The payment of costs associated with sections 2 to 6 of this 2009 Act is the responsibility of the Office of the Governor and those costs shall be paid from moneys available for disbursement at the direction of the Governor.

SECTION 8. The Legislative Assembly finds that the development of green jobs is essential to the economic well-being of Oregonians and encourages the Governor to support clean technology and efforts to prepare workers for employment in green jobs.

SECTION 9. This 2009 Act being necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health and safety, an emergency is declared to exist, and this 2009 Act takes effect on its passage.

Approved by the Governor August 4, 2009

Filed in the office of Secretary of State August 4, 2009

Effective date August 4, 2009

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