Chapter 452 Oregon Laws 2011

AN ACT

HB 2840

Relating to green jobs in forest products industries; amending ORS 660.355, 660.358 and 660.364.

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

SECTION 1. ORS 660.355 is amended to read:

660.355. As used in ORS 660.355 to 660.364:

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

(a) Increases energy efficiency;

(b) Produces renewable energy;

(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] forest products, 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 2. ORS 660.358 is amended to read:

660.358. (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.

(h) Include an analysis of occupations in the forest products industry to:

(A) Determine key growth factors and employment projections for green jobs in the forest products industry; and

(B) Define the educational and skill standards required for current and emerging green occupations in the forest products industry.

(3) Based on the analysis conducted under subsection (2)(h) of this section, the State Workforce Investment Board, in consultation with the Education and Workforce Policy Advisor, shall identify those forest products industries to be classified as high-demand green industries, taking into consideration current and future job creation and the strategic importance of the development of high-demand green forest products industry jobs to the development and growth of the state’s green economy.

(4) As used in this section, “forest products industry” includes, but is not limited to, businesses that grow, manage, harvest, transport or process forest, wood and paper products.

SECTION 3. ORS 660.364 is amended to read:

660.364. The Oregon Business 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, including but not limited to forest products industries as defined in ORS 660.358, 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.

Approved by the Governor June 21, 2011

Filed in the office of Secretary of State June 21, 2011

Effective date January 1, 2012

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