Relating to workforce training, unemployment insurance, adult education, and other functions and programs of the department of workforce development, the workforce development board, and local workforce development boards, and making appropriations

The division repeals Code provisions for the Iowa conservation corps, the workforce investment program, the statewide mentoring program, the new employment opportunity program, and the nursing workforce data clearinghouse. The division generally transfers duties relating to compiling an annual report for submission to the governor and general assembly on various workforce training programs from the department to the college student aid commission. The division strikes requirements for the department to collaborate with specified education-related entities when performing certain duties. The division strikes detailed language relating to duties of the workforce development board concerning standing committees, public availability of information, comprehensive state workforce development plans, recommendations on the use of federal funds, and various other duties. The division generally provides that such duties shall be carried out as required by federal law. The division similarly modifies duties of local workforce development boards relating to local workforce development plans. DIVISION II —— UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE —— TAXABLE WAGES. This division modifies the definition of “taxable wages” for purposes of unemployment insurance taxes on employers by eliminating the wages paid to an employee from another state from the calculation of wages upon which an employer is required to contribute to the unemployment compensation fund when the other state extends a like comity (reciprocity) to Iowa for employment purposes. The division specifies that only wages paid in Iowa can constitute taxable wages. DIVISION III —— IOWA STUDENT INTERNSHIP PROGRAM. This division strikes one of two components of the Iowa student internship program administered by the department. The component providing for financial assistance to link Iowa students to small and medium-sized Iowa firms is stricken. The component providing for financial assistance to place Iowa students studying in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics into internships that lead to permanent positions with Iowa employers is retained. The division appropriates $1,039,425 from the general fund to the department for the Iowa student internship fund. Moneys in the fund are used to increase the availability of skilled workers in innovative businesses by providing Iowa student internship opportunities. DIVISION IV —— ADULT EDUCATION AND LITERACY PROGRAMS. Under current law, the department and community colleges are required to implement and set standards for certain adult education and literacy programs. This division strikes references to community colleges so that only the department has these duties.