Michigan House Bill HB4573

Michigan 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 5/16/23
• Refer: 5/16/23
• Report Pass: 6/21/23
• Engrossed: 6/28/23
• Refer: 6/28/23
• Report Pass: 10/10/23
• Refer: 10/10/23
• Report Pass: 10/17/23
• Enrolled: 10/24/23
• Chaptered: 11/8/23
• Passed: 11/8/23

Caption

Higher education: community colleges; new jobs training program; extend sunset. Amends secs. 161, 162 & 164 of 1966 PA 331 (MCL 389.161 et seq.).

Impact

The legislation amends the Community College Act of 1966, providing a more structured framework for community colleges to leverage funding through bonds for job-related educational services. It not only outlines the essential definitions and agreements necessary for participating employers but also establishes the financial mechanisms needed to support these initiatives. With the emphasis on creating 'new jobs' that provide stable employment at a certain wage level, the bill delineates clear parameters for accountability, funding, and obligations of both educational institutions and employers.

Summary

House Bill 4573 aims to amend the laws surrounding community colleges in Michigan, specifically focusing on the creation and management of new jobs training programs. The bill seeks to extend the existing provisions for community college districts to enter into agreements with employers to facilitate job training and create new job opportunities. It allows community colleges to authorize the issuance of new jobs training revenue bonds to finance these programs, thereby enhancing their capacity to support local economies through job creation.

Sentiment

Overall, the sentiment surrounding HB 4573 appears to reflect a bipartisan agreement on the value of training programs to elevate the workforce in Michigan. Supporters, such as community college administrators and economic development advocates, laud the potential for this bill to stimulate local economies by creating jobs and providing necessary workforce skills. Critics, however, may raise concerns regarding the financial implications of bond issuances and whether funding priorities are adequately aligned with community needs.

Contention

Notable points of contention may arise surrounding the specifics of how new job creation is defined and monitored. There are concerns over the sustainability of funding and whether community colleges will be able to fulfill their obligations under the agreements formed with employers. Additionally, some voices in the legislature argue that the focus should also include job retention strategies for existing positions, not just the hollow creation of new jobs without supportive infrastructure.