Senate Committee Advances Workforce Funding Bill

After several hearings and an omnibus amendment, the Senate Finance Committee this week advanced House Bill 2. The bill, which provides funding for the TechCred program and industry sector partnerships, moved unanimously from committee.

Prior to committee passage, members accepted an omnibus amendment that made numerous changes to the more controversial Individual Microcredential Assistance Program (IMAP).

Another change made by the committee — this one championed by the OMA — replaced the term “regional sector partnership” with “sector partnership network.” This clarifies that partnerships can work together to receive grant funding. HB 2 was scheduled to be voted on the Senate floor earlier this week; however, one of the bill’s sponsors had the vote delayed for a possible last-minute amendment, according to news reports. 11/7/2019