Workforce development: the Counties of Los Angeles and Ventura: 2025 wildfires.
The bill imposes a requirement that the local workforce development boards focus on specific sectors essential for recovery, including construction, utilities, firefighting, healthcare, and social services. It emphasizes the establishment of quality standards and practices to ensure effective service delivery. Additionally, the bill allows individuals enrolled in the funded programs access to expedited licensing and certification, addressing the immediate labor market needs in the aftermath of the disasters.
Assembly Bill 338, introduced by Assembly Member Solache, targets workforce development in the Counties of Los Angeles and Ventura, which were severely impacted by the wildfires in 2025. The bill appropriates $50 million from the General Fund aimed at supporting the South Bay Workforce Investment Board and the Economic Development Collaborative. These funds are intended to train, upskill, and retrain unemployed and underemployed individuals who are low- to moderate-income, with the overarching goal of facilitating the rebuilding and recovery efforts in the fire-affected areas.
AB 338 also outlines the urgent need for immediate action, declaring it an urgency statute to ensure prompt implementation. Lawmakers recognize that a special statute is needed due to the exceptional circumstances facing the affected counties, as typical statutes would not adequately address the unique context of the 2025 wildfires. This focused legislative approach aims to streamline recovery by enhancing workforce capabilities to meet the demands of rebuilding efforts.