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1997 SESSION

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970140114
HOUSE BILL NO. 2712 Offered January 20, 1997 A BILL to amend and reenact § 2.1-548.29 of the Code of Virginia and to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Title 23 a chapter numbered 16.01, consisting of sections numbered 23-220.2, 23-220.3, and 23-220.4, relating to the Workforce Training Tuition Assistance Program and Fund. ---------- Patrons-- Armstrong and Day; Senator: Reynolds ---------- Referred to Committee on Education ----------

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That § 2.1-548.29 of the Code of Virginia is amended and reenacted and that the Code of Virginia is amended by adding in Title 23 a chapter numbered 16, consisting of sections numbered 23-220.2, 23-220.3, and 23-200.4, as follows:

§ 2.1-548.29. Economic development services.

It shall be the duty of the Authority to encourage, stimulate, and support the development and expansion of the economy of the Commonwealth. The Authority is charged with the following duties and responsibilities:

1. To see that there are prepared and carried out effective economic development marketing and promotional programs;

2. To make available, in conjunction and cooperation with localities, chambers of commerce, industrial authorities, and other public and private groups, to prospective new businesses basic information and pertinent factors of interest and concern to such businesses;

3. To formulate, promulgate, and advance programs throughout the Commonwealth for encouraging the location of new businesses in the Commonwealth and the retention and growth of existing businesses;

4. To encourage and solicit private sector involvement, support, and funding for economic development in the Commonwealth;

5. To encourage the coordination of the economic development efforts of public institutions, regions, communities, and private industry and collect and maintain data on the development and utilization of economic development capabilities;

6. To establish such offices within and without the Commonwealth that are necessary to the expansion and development of industries and trade; and

7. To encourage the export of products and services from the Commonwealth to international markets; and

8. Upon request, to advise the State Board for Community Colleges in designating non-credit workforce training programs for the Workforce Training Tuition Assistance Program, pursuant to § 23-220.4.

CHAPTER 16.01. Workforce Training Tuition Assistance Program.

§ 23-220.2. Workforce Training Tuition Assistance Program; Board to administer; promulgation of regulations.

There is hereby created the Workforce Training Tuition Assistance Program to provide grants for tuition assistance to eligible individuals attending designated non-credit workforce training programs at comprehensive community colleges in Virginia, to be administered by the State Board for Community Colleges. Funds may be paid to any comprehensive community college on behalf of individuals who have been awarded such grants pursuant to § 23-220.4.

§ 23-220.3. Workforce Training Tuition Assistance Fund created.

A. From such funds as are appropriated for this purpose and from such gifts, donations, grants, bequests, and other funds as may be received on its behalf, there is hereby created in the state treasury a special nonreverting fund to be known as the Workforce Training Tuition Assistance Fund, hereafter referred to as the "Fund." The Fund shall be established on the books of the Comptroller. Interest earned on moneys in the Fund shall remain in the Fund and be credited to it. Any moneys remaining the Fund, including interest thereon, at the end of each fiscal year shall not revert to the general fund but shall remain in the Fund. Funds may be paid to any comprehensive community college on behalf of individuals who have been awarded grants of tuition assistance pursuant to § 23-220.4. The first such grants shall be awarded after July 1, 1998.

Expenditures and disbursements from the Fund shall be made by the State Treasurer on warrants issued by the Comptroller upon written request signed by the Chancellor of Community Colleges, at the direction of the State Board for Community Colleges.

B. The Board shall promulgate regulations for the implementation of the provisions of this article and shall provide grants of tuition assistance to eligible individuals meeting the criteria established pursuant to § 23-220.4.

§ 23-220.4. Eligible individuals; criteria for grants.

A. Only individuals who (i) are domiciled residents of Virginia as defined by § 23-7.4; (ii) are enrolled in a designated non-credit workforce training program at a comprehensive community college in Virginia; and (iii) demonstrate financial need as defined by regulations of the Board shall be eligible to receive tuition assistance under the Program.

B. The Board, in consultation with the Virginia Economic Development Partnership, shall designate those non-credit workforce training programs for which grants may be awarded. The selected programs shall reflect current and projected workforce training needs by new and expanding industries in the Commonwealth.

C. Grants pursuant to this article shall provide for the payment in full or in part of tuition and fees for such designated non-credit workforce training programs.