UNOFFICIAL COPY 24 RS BR 2286
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A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION directing the Legislative Research Commission 1
to establish a Workforce Growth and Solutions Task Force to study worker participation 2
in the Commonwealth and identify solutions to support workforce growth. 3
WHEREAS, Kentucky has one of the lowest rates of workforce participation 4
among all 50 states; and 5
WHEREAS, workforce participation is declining, and is affecting all regions of the 6
Commonwealth, including both urban and rural counties; and 7
WHEREAS, employers are reporting difficulties in hiring skilled workers, 8
especially in growing counties and regions where demand for skilled workers is 9
significantly outpacing labor availability; and 10
WHEREAS, there are multiple counties in Kentucky with estimated rates of 11
workforce participation that are below 50 percent; and 12
WHEREAS, workforce challenges are affecting Kentucky’s economic 13
competitiveness and limiting opportunities for future growth in Kentucky; and 14
WHEREAS, many Kentuckians may be facing barriers to work that serve to 15
prevent or discourage them from participating in the workforce; and 16
WHEREAS, Kentucky and the nation face long-term demographic trends such as 17
an aging population, slower population growth, and higher rates of retirement; 18
NOW, THEREFORE, 19
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives of the General Assembly of the 20
Commonwealth of Kentucky, the Senate concurring therein: 21
Section 1. The Legislative Research Commission is hereby directed to create 22
the Workforce Growth and Solutions Task Force which shall study challenges related to 23
workforce participation in the Commonwealth and identify solutions to support 24
workforce growth. The Workforce Growth and Solutions Task Force shall: 25
(1) Study workforce challenges in different areas of the state, including areas 26
experiencing strong demand for workers as well as areas with high unemployment rates; 27 UNOFFICIAL COPY 24 RS BR 2286
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(2) Study the different types of challenges that may prevent Kentuckians from 1
participating in the workforce, including but not limited to barriers related to 2
transportation, housing, child care, disabilities, professional licensing, education and 3
training, public assistance and benefits cliffs, substance abuse disorder, and criminal 4
records; 5
(3) Study economic and labor force data related to workforce as well as long-term 6
demographic trends impacting Kentucky, the region, and the United States; 7
(4) Study workforce challenges and strategies in other states; 8
(5) Communicate with employers in the Commonwealth to better understand 9
hiring challenges, and the steps employers and the private sector are taking to attract and 10
retain workers; 11
(6) Study public policy proposals recommended by different stakeholders and 12
experts that would support workforce growth and higher rates of workforce participation; 13
(7) Communicate with industry representatives to better understand how 14
workforce challenges affect different industries and how industries are responding to 15
these challenges; 16
(8) Communicate with economic development and site selection professionals on 17
how workforce challenges affect business investment and expansion and relocation 18
considerations by private sector entities; 19
(9) Study different approaches to workforce training, including services offered 20
by public agencies and education institutions, and training strategies being pursued in the 21
private sector; 22
(10) Identify ways to ensure the Commonwealth is adequately tracking workforce 23
data, identifying needs, setting goals, and measuring progress in all parts of the state; 24
(11) Identify consensus-driven public policy solutions to address Kentucky’s 25
workforce challenges; and 26
(12) Identify opportunities for public-private partnerships to address workforce 27 UNOFFICIAL COPY 24 RS BR 2286
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challenges. 1
Section 2. The Workforce Growth and Solutions Task Force shall be composed 2
of the following members, with final membership of the task force being subject to the 3
consideration and approval of the Legislative Research Commission. 4
(1) Four members of the House of Representatives appointed by the Speaker of 5
the House of Representatives, one of whom shall be a member of the minority party, and 6
one of whom shall be designated by the Speaker of the House of Representatives as a co-7
chair of the task force; and 8
(2) Four members of the Senate appointed by the President of the Senate, one of 9
whom shall be a member of the minority party, and one of whom shall be designated by 10
the President of the Senate as a co-chair of the task force. 11
Section 3. The Workforce Growth and Solutions Task Force shall meet at least 12
three times during the 2024 Interim and shall submit its findings, legislative 13
recommendations, or a memorandum to the Legislative Research Commission no later 14
than December 1, 2024. If legislative recommendations are submitted, the Legislative 15
Research Commission may refer the recommendations to the appropriate committee or 16
committees of jurisdiction in advance of the 2025 Regular Session of the Kentucky 17
General Assembly. 18
Section 4. Provisions of this Resolution to the contrary notwithstanding, the 19
Legislative Research Commission shall have the authority to alternatively assign the 20
issues identified herein to an interim joint committee or subcommittee thereof, and to 21
designate a study completion date. 22