SENATE DOCKET, NO. 2040        FILED ON: 1/16/2009

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 235

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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In the Year Two Thousand Nine

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An Act establishing a consistent funding source for reinvestment in vocational education infrastructure and programs  ..

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:
 

SECTION 1.  Because t is necessary to continually reinvest in training equipment, facilities and programs to keep up to date with current employment and training needs, there shall be established a commission to explore reinvestment in technical education infrastructure and equipment and vocational facilities in the Commonwealth.  The commission shall consist of 15 members: the Secretary of Education or his/her designee whom shall serve as chair; the Treasurer or his/her designee; the Secretary of Labor and Workforce Development or his/her designee; the Secretary of Housing & Economic Development or his/her designee; 3 members appointed by the Governor, 2 of whom shall represent private industry; the President of the Massachusetts AFL-CIO or his/her designee; the President of the Massachusetts Building Trades Council or his/her designee; 4 principals or administrations appointed by the Secretary of Education who represent vocational high schools or technical education programs; 1 member appointed by the President of the State Senate; 1 member appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives.  All appointments shall be made within 30 days of the effective date of this act.  Members of the commission shall serve without compensation. 

The commission shall examine and document the current resources available to technical programs to reinvest in equipment and infrastructure in vocation high schools and programs.  Such review shall include but not be limited to consideration of including expenditures in the school building assistance program and any other non-Chapter 70 state funding sources.

Not later than 9 months after the effective date of this act, the commission shall submit to the Clerks of the House and Senate its detailed findings and recommendations, including any recommendations for legislation and administrative actions necessary to promote reinvestment in technical education and vocational high schools.