Executive Order

2-99 EXECUTIVE ORDER ESTABLISHING THE MONTANA WORKFORCE INVESTMENT BOARD

February, 1999

WHEREAS, the United States Congress recently enacted the Workforce Investment Act of 1998, Public Law 105-220, August, 1998, requiring that each state establish a state Workforce Investment Board to assist in the development of an integrated and effective workforce development system; and

WHEREAS, the Governor is vested with the responsibility of creating the Board; and

WHEREAS, there is a need for a state Workforce Investment Board to plan and coordinate the development of Montana's various employment training and preparation programs and to evaluate the effectiveness of such programs in enhancing Montana's economic opportunities.

NOW THEREFORE, I, MARC RACICOT, Governor of the State of Montana, by virtue of the authority vested in me under the laws and Constitution of the State of Montana and pursuant to Section 111 of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998, hereby appoint the members of the Montana Workforce Investment Board and recognize its duties.

I. PURPOSE The Montana Workforce Investment Board:

1) shall assist the Governor in developing an integrated strategic plan for economic development in Montana which encompasses the goals of a coordinated and effective workforce investment system;

2) shall serve the purpose of a state workforce investment board as referenced in Title I of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998, which includes assisting the Governor in performing the following tasks:

a) development of a State strategic plan for workforce investment activities;

b) development and continuous improvement of a Workforce Center system which affords all Montanans accessible job location and preparation services;

c) submission of comment at least once annually on the measures taken pursuant to section 113(b)(14) of the Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Applied Technology Education Act;

d) designation of local workforce investment areas in the state of Montana;

e) development of allocation formulas for the distribution of funds for adult employment and training activities and youth activities to local areas as permitted by the Workforce Investment Act of 1998;

f) development and continuous improvement of comprehensive state performance measures to assess the effectiveness of the workforce investment activities in the state as required by the Workforce Investment Act of 1998;

g) preparation of an annual report to the Secretary of Labor regarding workforce investment activities;

h) development of a statewide employment statistics system described in section 15(e) of the Wagner Peyser Act; and

i) development of an application for an incentive grant as specified by Section 503 of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998;
and

3) may recommend to the Governor changes in state policies or practices which would assist the effectiveness of workforce preparation and economic development in the state.

II. COMPOSITION The Montana Workforce Investment Board shall be composed of:

1) the Governor;

2) 2 members of each chamber of the State Legislature appointed by the appropriate presiding officers of each such chamber;

3) representatives appointed by the Governor, who are:

a) representatives of business in the State, who-

1) are businesspersons with optimum policy making or hiring authority;

2) represent businesses with employment opportunities that reflect the employment opportunities of the State; and

3) are appointed from among individuals nominated by State business organizations and business trade associations;

b) chief elected officials, representing both cities and counties, where appropriate;

c) representatives of labor organizations, who have been nominated by state labor federations;

d) representatives of individuals and organizations that have experience with youth activities;

e) representatives of individuals and organizations that have experience and expertise in the delivery of workforce investment activities, including chief executive officers of community colleges and community-based organizations within the State;

f) the lead state agency officials with responsibility for the programs and activities and carried out by one-stop partners;

g) such other representatives and State agency officials as the Governor may designate, such as the State agency officials responsible for economic development and juvenile justice programs in the State.

Members of the board that represent organizations, agencies, or other entities shall be individuals with optimum policymaking authority within the organizations, agencies, or entities. The members of the board shall represent diverse regions of the State, including urban, rural and suburban areas.

A majority of the members of the State Board shall be representatives of businesses in the State. The chair will be appointed by the Governor from among the business representative members of the Board.

The names and addresses of members who shall serve at the pleasure of the Governor are submitted by separate letter to the Secretary of State and to each Department participating on the Board.

III. ADMINISTERING AGENCY:

The Department of Labor and Industry is hereby designated as the organizational unit responsible for administration and management of the Montana Workforce Investment Board. This agency is authorized to act in concert with a representative of the Governor's Office in the planning, administering, coordinating and oversight functions assigned to the Governor. Council administrative staff will be funded through administrative funds available through the Workforce Investment Act of 1998.

IV. DURATION:

The Board shall exist for a period of time as needed to carry out the designated functions. Any provisions of prior Executive Orders relating to the members and authority of the Montana Workforce Preparation Coordinating Council are hereby superseded by the provisions of this Order. This Order is effective immediately.

	GIVEN under my hand and the GREAT SEAL of the State of Montana, this ___ day of __________, 2001. MARC RACICOT, Governor
ATTEST: MIKE COONEY, Secretary of State