§ 15-4-3709 — Local workforce development boards

(a) There shall be established by July 1, 2015, and certified by the Governor, a local workforce development board in each local workforce development area to carry out the functions described in § 15-4-3711 . (b) The Governor, in partnership with the Arkansas Workforce Development Board, shall establish criteria for use by chief elected officials in the local workforce development areas for appointment of members of the local workforce development boards. (c) The criteria shall require, at a minimum, that the membership of each local workforce development board be so constituted that: (1) A majority of the members of each local workforce development board are representatives of business in the local workforce development area who: (A) Are owners of businesses, chief executives or operating officers of businesses, or other business executives or employers with optimum policymaking or hiring authority; (B) Represent businesses, including small businesses, or organizations representing businesses described in this subdivision (c)(1), that provide employment opportunities that, at a minimum, include high-quality, work-relevant training and development in in-demand industry sectors or occupations in the local workforce development area; and (C) Are appointed from among individuals nominated by local business organizations and business trade associations; (2) Not less than twenty percent (20%) of the members of each local workforce development board are representatives of the workforce within the local workforce development area who: (A) Include representatives of labor organizations for a local workforce development area in which employees are represented by labor organizations who have been nominated by local labor federations or for a local workforce development area in which no employees are represented by such organizations, or other representatives of employees; (B) Include a representative who is a member of a labor organization or a training director from a joint labor-management apprenticeship program or, if no such joint program exists in the local workforce development area, a representative of an apprenticeship program in the local workforce development area, if such a program exists; (C) May include representatives of community-based organizations that have demonstrated experience and expertise in addressing the employment needs of individuals with barriers to employment, including without limitation organizations that serve veterans or that provide or support competitive integrated employment for individuals with disabilities; and (D) May include representatives of organizations that have demonstrated experience and expertise in addressing the employment, training, or education needs of eligible youth, including without limitation representatives of organizations that serve out-of-school youth; (3) Each local workforce development board includes representatives of entities administering education and training activities in the local workforce development area who: (A) Include a representative of eligible providers administering adult education and literacy activities; (B) Include a representative of institutions of higher education providing workforce investment activities, including without limitation community colleges; and (C) May include representatives of local educational agencies, and of community-based organizations with demonstrated experience and expertise in addressing the education or training needs of individuals with barriers to employment; (4) Each local workforce development board includes representatives of governmental and economic and community development entities serving the local workforce development area who: (A) Include a representative of economic and community development entities; (B) Include an appropriate representative from the state employment service office under the Wagner-Peyser Act, 29 U.S.C. § 49 et seq., serving the local workforce development area; (C) Include an appropriate representative of the programs carried out under Subchapter 1 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, 29 U.S.C. § 701 et seq., other than 29 U.S.C. § 112 [repealed], 29 U.S.C. § 732 , or 29 U.S.C. § 741 , serving the local workforce development area; (D) May include representatives of agencies or entities administering programs serving the local workforce development area relating to transportation, housing, and public assistance; and (E) May include representatives of philanthropic organizations serving the local workforce development area; and (5) Each local workforce development board may include other individuals or representatives of entities that the chief elected official in the local workforce development area may determine to be appropriate. (d) The members of the local workforce development board shall elect a chairperson annually for the local workforce development board from among the business representatives described in subdivision (c)(1) of this section. (e) Each local workforce development board shall meet at least quarterly and may meet more often at the call of the chairperson or upon the written request of a majority of the members of the local workforce development board. (f) A simple majority of the local workforce development board shall constitute a quorum. (g) (1) The chief elected official in a local workforce development area may appoint the members of the local workforce development board for the local workforce development area in accordance with the criteria under this section. (2) If a local workforce development area includes more than one (1) unit of general local government, the chief elected officials of the units shall execute an agreement that specifies the respective roles of the individual chief elected officials: (A) In the appointment of the members of the local workforce development board from the individuals nominated or recommended to be members under subsection (b) of this section; and (B) In carrying out other responsibilities assigned to the chief elected officials under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, Pub. L. No. 113-128. (3) If, after a reasonable effort, the chief elected officials are unable to reach agreement, the Governor may appoint the members of the local workforce development board from among the individuals nominated or recommended for those memberships.

Legislative History

Added by Act 2015, No. 907,§ 3, eff. 7/1/2015.