State and Federal Information

Thanks to the action and support of our members, CWA has sponsored legislation that has been passed by the state legislature. CWA has a reputation as a renowned state, national and international resource. We provide access to legislative tracking technology so that our board and affiliate members have the tools necessary to carry out their legislative agenda. In addition to our statewide efforts, CWA plays an instrumental role to help shape national policy. We work in Washington D.C. to influence policy around Workforce Investment Act reauthorization, on-the-job training, sector strategies, and other programs critical to workforce development.

The California Workforce Association advances our mission by promoting, enhancing and serving the interest of local workforce investment boards and other workforce development partners. Thanks to the action and support of our members, CWA has sponsored legislation that has been passed by the state legislature. CWA has a reputation as a renowned state, national and international resource.

State Legislation

The 2013-2014 session of the California State Legislature is well underway. February 22, 2013 was the deadline for bills to be introduced by Assembly Members and Senators and approximately 2,200 bills were introduced. For information on legislation CWA is tracking, view the CWA Legislative Report.

SB 118 (Lieu) Education and Workforce Investment Systems

Education and Workforce Investment Systems is a re-introduction SB 1401 (Lieu) that was supported by CWA last year. SB 118 was approved 4-0 in the Senate Labor and Industrial Relations Committee on March 13, 2013. The bill will be heard next in the Senate Appropriations Committee.

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Federal Legislation

H.R. 803 (Foxx, McKeon, Heck) The Supporting Knowledge and Investing in Lifelong Skills (SKILLS) Act

H.R. 803, The Supporting Knowledge and Investing in Lifelong Skills (SKILLS) Act introduced by Virginia Foxx (R-NC), Howard P. “Buck” McKeon (R-CA), and Joe Heck (R-NV) consolidates 35 existing job training programs into a single Workforce Investment Fund aimed to assist state and local workforce investment boards in developing comprehensive workforce development systems to get Americans back to work.  The bill passed out of the House Education and Workforce Committee on March 6th. On March 15, 2013, the bill was voted on in the full House of Representatives where it passed by a vote of 215 - 202. Representatives Paul Cook (R-CA) and Gary Miller (R-CA) both voted against the bill.

The National Association of Counties (NACo), the U.S. Conference of Mayors (USCM), the National League of Cities (NLC), and the National Association of Workforce Boards (NAWB) co-authored a joint coalition letter to the Majority and Minority leaders in the House of Representatives that outlines the coalition's concerns about proposed H.R. 803 and provides guidance and suggested changes to the bill.  Download a copy of the letter here.

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H.R. 798 (Tierney, Hinojosa, Miller) Workforce Investment Act (WIA) of 2013

The Workforce Investment Act of 2013 introduced by John Tierney (D-MA), Ruben Hinojosa (D-TX) and George Miller (D-CA) will improve the nation’s workforce investment infrastructure, focusing on finding workers jobs and careers through strategic partnerships with in-demand sector employers, community colleges, labor organizations, and non-profits.  This bill was referred to the House Committee on Education and the Workforce on February 15, 2013, and is scheduled to be heard on the House floor as an alternative to H.R. 803 on March 15.

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2012 Legislative Report

CWA produces an annual Legislative Report that details CWA sponsored legislation and all bills that impact the workforce development system. This report is a complete look at all the bills we tracked this legislative session.

View 2013 Legislative Report

Archived Reports

2012 Legislative Report

2011 Legislative Report

2010 Legislative Report