[Congressional Bills 103th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 91 Introduced in House (IH)]

103d CONGRESS
  1st Session
                                 H. R. 91

  To provide grants to States for the purpose of providing workplace 
                     services to small businesses.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                            January 5, 1993

  Mr. Kildee introduced the following bill; which was referred to the 
                    Committee on Education and Labor

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
  To provide grants to States for the purpose of providing workplace 
                     services to small businesses.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Workplace Education and High 
Performance Workforce Act of 1993''.

SEC. 2. PURPOSES.

    The purposes of this Act are--
            (1) to assist small businesses in establishing workplace 
        education programs to improve the productivity of such 
        businesses;
            (2) to assist small businesses in introducing new 
        technologies and the reorganization of work; and
            (3) to assist institutions of higher education and other 
        suitable education providers in providing workplace services to 
        small businesses.

SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.

    For purposes of this Act, the following definitions apply:
            (1) Institution of higher education.--The term 
        ``institution of higher education'' has the meaning given such 
        term in section 1201(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 
        U.S.C. 1141(a)).
            (2) New technologies.--The term ``new technologies'' means 
        equipment, processes, and techniques that have not previously 
        been utilized by a business that will improve the productivity 
        of such business.
            (3) Reorganization of work.--The term ``reorganization of 
        work'' means the processes and techniques for directing the 
        work of employees that have not previously been utilized by a 
        business that will improve the productivity of such business.
            (4) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
        of Labor.
            (5) Small business.--The term ``small business'' means an 
        independently incorporated, for-profit business that employs 
        500 or fewer full-time employees.
            (6) Workforce specialist.--The term ``workforce 
        specialist'' means an individual with experience in improving 
        the productivity of businesses through such methods as total 
        quality management, statistical process control, the 
        development of work teams and quality circles, reduction of 
        management layers and oversight and enhancing the 
        responsibility of front-line workers, introduction of just-in-
        time or computer integrated production, and increased general 
        or job-specific training.
            (7) Workplace education.--The term ``workplace education'' 
        means employer-sponsored instruction provided to employees 
        which--
                    (A) shall include instruction in reading, writing, 
                mathematics, or English as a second language; and
                    (B) may include instruction in problem solving, 
                interpersonal communications, teamwork, and other work-
                related basic skills.

SEC. 4. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    (a) In General.--
            (1) Title i.--There are authorized to be appropriated 
        $5,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 1994 through 1998 to 
        carry out title I.
            (2) Title ii.--There are authorized to be appropriated 
        $50,000,000 for fiscal year 1994, $60,000,000 for fiscal year 
        1995, and $100,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 1996 
        through 1998, to carry out title II.
    (b) Availability.--Amounts authorized to be appropriated under 
subsection (a) shall remain available until expended.

    TITLE I--OFFICE OF WORKPLACE EDUCATION AND HIGH PERFORMANCE WORK

SEC. 101. ESTABLISHMENT.

    The Secretary of Labor shall establish in the Employment and 
Training Administration an Office of Workplace Education and High 
Performance Work (in this Act referred to as the ``Federal office'').

SEC. 102 DIRECTOR.

    The Federal office shall be headed by a Director (in this title 
referred to as the ``Director''), who shall be paid at a rate equal to 
level 5 of the Executive Schedule.

SEC. 103. DUTIES.

    The Secretary, acting through the Director, shall--
            (1) carry out the grant program established under section 
        201(a);
            (2) establish standards for the employment, qualifications, 
        training, and activities of workforce specialists described in 
        section 203(b)(3);
            (3) conduct programs of research and analysis, which may 
        include demonstration programs, to determine how small 
        businesses can more effectively implement workplace education 
        programs;
            (4) develop and disseminate information on the introduction 
        of new technologies and the reorganization of work by small 
        businesses by--
                    (A) identifying sources of expertise of such 
                technologies and reorganization of work in Federal, 
                State, and local agencies (including the Department of 
                Commerce, the National Science Foundation, and the 
                Small Business Administration);
                    (B) forming cooperative relationships with 
                appropriate Federal agencies to determine how small 
                businesses can more effectively implement such new 
                technologies and reorganization of work; and
                    (C) encouraging and assisting labor organizations, 
                educational organizations, businesses and other private 
                organizations to provide information and technical 
                assistance to small businesses regarding workplace 
                education, new technologies, and the reorganization of 
                work.

SEC. 104. REPORTS TO CONGRESS.

    Not later than September 30, 1994, and at the end of each fiscal 
year thereafter, the Secretary shall submit to the President and the 
Congress a report containing--
            (1) a compilation of the information contained in the State 
        reports received by the Secretary under section 207; and
            (2) an evaluation of the effectiveness of the grant program 
        authorized under section 201(a).

       TITLE II--WORKPLACE EDUCATION AND WORKFORCE GRANT PROGRAM

SEC. 201. AUTHORIZATION.

    (a) In General.--The Secretary shall, from amounts appropriated 
pursuant to section 4(a)(2), provide grants to States for the purpose 
of establishing programs to improve the productivity of small 
businesses in such States.
    (b) Period of Grants.--A grant received under subsection (a) may 
extend for a period of not more than 5 fiscal years. The payments under 
such grant shall be subject to annual approval by the Secretary and 
subject to the availability of appropriations for each fiscal year.

SEC. 202. APPLICATION.

    The Secretary may provide a grant to a State under section 201(a) 
only if such State submits to the Secretary an application which 
contains--
            (1) a plan containing the number of workforce service 
        districts to be established by the State office in accordance 
        with section 203(b)(2); and
            (2) such other information as the Secretary may reasonably 
        require.

SEC. 203. USE OF FUNDS.

    (a) Establishment of Program.--A State shall use amounts received 
from a grant under section 201(a) to establish a program to improve the 
productivity of small businesses in such State.
    (b) Conduct of Program.--In conducting the program established 
under subsection (a), the State shall meet the following requirements:
            (1) Establishment of state office of workplace education 
        and high performance work.--
                    (A) In general.--Subject to subparagraph (B), the 
                State shall establish a State office of workplace 
                education and high performance work (in this Act 
                referred to as the ``State office'') in 1 of the 
                following entities:
                            (i) A State agency that has responsibility 
                        for education, training, or economic 
                        development policy.
                            (ii) An institution of higher education 
                        located in such State.
                    (B) Exception.--In the case of a State that has 
                established an entity comparable to the State office 
                described in subparagraph (A), such State may, upon the 
                approval of the Secretary, designate such entity as the 
                State office for purposes of such subparagraph.
            (2) Establishment of workplace service districts.--
                    (A) In general.--Subject to subparagraph (B), the 
                State office shall establish workplace service 
                districts throughout the State--
                            (i) each of which contains at least 1 
                        institution of higher education which has 
                        existing workplace education programs (or will 
                        establish such programs not later than the date 
                        on which the State in which such institution is 
                        located will receive amounts from a grant under 
                        section 201(a)), to provide small businesses 
                        with access to workplace services; and
                            (ii) which are of a sufficient number in 
                        order to allow ease of access by small 
                        businesses located in the State to utilize the 
                        services provided at such institutions of 
                        higher education.
                    (B) Requirements.--In establishing workplace 
                service districts, the State office shall--
                            (i) if the amount of the grant received by 
                        the State under section 201(a) is greater than 
                        an amount equal to $100,000 multiplied by the 
                        number of such districts proposed to be 
                        established by the State in its application, 
                        hire and place at least 1 workforce specialist 
                        who meets the standards established by the 
                        Secretary under section 103(2), including 
                        necessary support staff, at an institution of 
                        higher education in each district; and
                            (ii) if the amount of the grant received by 
                        the State under section 201(a) is less than an 
                        amount equal to $100,000 multiplied by the 
                        number of such districts proposed to be 
                        established by the State in its application, 
                        place at least 1 such workforce specialist, 
                        including necessary support staff, at an 
                        institution of higher education in each 
                        district that the State office determines to be 
                        appropriate.
            (3) Duties of workforce specialists.--Each workforce 
        specialist hired by a State office and placed at an institution 
        of higher education under paragraph (2)(B) shall--
                    (A) serve as a local point of contact for small 
                businesses interested in workplace services;
                    (B) provide workplace services to individual small 
                businesses by analyzing the needs of such businesses 
                for the purpose of--
                            (i) designing workplace education programs 
                        that will improve the productivity of such 
                        businesses; and
                            (ii) introducing new technologies and the 
                        reorganization of work at such businesses;
                    (C) refer small businesses to other suitable 
                education providers for the purpose of providing 
                workplace services to such businesses, provided that 
                each such business shall reimburse such provider in an 
                amount equal to at least 75 percent of the cost of the 
                services attributable to such business, including 
                instructional time, materials, and facilities;
                    (D) assist in negotiating financial, logistical, 
                and other arrangements between small businesses and 
                other suitable education providers;
                    (E) provide technical assistance and training to 
                the staff of suitable education providers described in 
                subparagraph (C) for the purpose of providing workplace 
                services to small businesses;
                    (F) encourage other small businesses and labor 
                groups to provide such services; and
                    (G) provide small businesses with general 
                information on workplace services.
            (4) Cooperation with workforce specialists.--The State 
        office shall encourage local educational agencies and other 
        local agencies, small businesses, labor organizations, 
        community-based organizations, and other private organizations 
        to cooperate with workforce specialists described in paragraph 
        (3).
            (5) Oversight of workforce specialists.--The State office 
        shall monitor and supervise the activities of each workforce 
        specialist described in paragraph (3).
            (6) Workplace service information.--The State office shall 
        produce and disseminate information to the entities described 
        in paragraph (4) and the general public on workplace services, 
        including the need for and means of implementing workplace 
        education programs, the introduction of new technologies, and 
        the reorganization of work.
            (7) Sources of expertise and technical assistance.--The 
        State office shall--
                    (A) identify Federal, State, and local sources of 
                expertise and technical assistance that can assist 
                small businesses in implementing workplace education 
                programs, the introduction of new technologies, and the 
                reorganization of work; and
                    (B) develop cooperative and collaborative 
                relationships with such sources of expertise.
            (8) Research and demonstration programs.--The State office 
        shall conduct research and demonstration programs to promote 
        the understanding and acceptance of workplace education and 
        encourage the use of and improvement of state-of-the-art 
        workplace services.
            (9) Statewide or regional training programs.--The State 
        office shall, in conjunction with the Federal office and 
        workforce specialists, conduct Statewide or regional training 
        programs for teachers and administrators at institutions of 
        higher education, small businesses, labor organizations, 
        community-based organizations, and other individuals and 
        entities that are engaged, or wish to become engaged, in the 
        provision of workplace services.
            (10) Supplemental grant program.--
                    (A) In general.--(i) Subject to clause (ii), the 
                State office shall provide grants to small businesses 
                for the purpose of improving the productivity of such 
                businesses.
                    (ii) The State office shall use not more than 15 
                percent of amounts received from a grant under section 
                201(a) to provide grants under clause (i).
                    (B) Application.--To receive a grant under 
                subparagraph (A)(i), a small business shall submit an 
                application to the State office at such time, in such 
                form, and containing such information as the office may 
                reasonably require.
                    (C) Use of funds.--Grants made under subparagraph 
                (A)(i) may be used by a small business only to--
                            (i) carry out workplace education programs 
                        at such business;
                            (ii) introduce new technologies at such 
                        business; and
                            (iii) provide for the reorganization of 
                        work at such business.
                    (D) Amount of grant.--The State office may not make 
                grants under subparagraph (A)(i) to any small business 
                in an amount equal to or more than $25,000.
                    (E) Allocation.--The State office shall provide at 
                least 60 percent of amounts used to provide grants 
                under subparagraph (A)(i) to small businesses with 50 
                or fewer employees.
            (11) Evaluations.--At the end of each fiscal year in which 
        the Secretary makes payments to a State under a grant under 
        section 201(a), the State office in such State shall conduct a 
        quantitative evaluation of the effectiveness of the program 
        established under subsection (a) in improving corporate 
        productivity through workplace education, the introduction of 
        new technologies, and the reorganization of work.
    (c) Administrative Costs.--Of the amount received by a State from a 
grant under section 201(a) for any fiscal year, not more than 10 
percent of such amount may be used to pay the administrative costs of 
the program established under subsection (a).

SEC. 204. MATCHING FUNDS.

    The Secretary may not make a grant to a State under section 201(a) 
unless such State agrees to provide non-Federal funds for the purpose 
of conducting the program under section 203(b) in an amount equal to 
not less than 20 percent of the Federal funds provided to the State in 
each of the first two fiscal years that it receives amounts from a 
grant, and not less than 30 percent of the Federal funds that the State 
receives from such grant in each subsequent fiscal year.

SEC. 205. ALLOCATION.

    (a) In General.--In providing grants under section 201(a), the 
Secretary shall award grants in a greater amount to States with larger 
populations, as determined by the Secretary.
    (b) Limitation.--The Secretary may not provide grants under section 
201(a) in a fiscal year to any State in an amount totaling more than 10 
percent of amounts appropriated pursuant to section 4(a)(2) for that 
fiscal year.

SEC. 206. MAINTENANCE OF EFFORT.

    The Secretary may not make a grant to a State under section 201(a) 
unless such State agrees to maintain its aggregate expenditures for 
programs to improve the productivity of small businesses in such State 
at or above the average level of such expenditures in the fiscal year 
preceding the fiscal year for which the State is applying to receive 
the grant.

SEC. 207. STATE REPORTS.

    The Secretary may not make a grant to a State under section 201(a) 
unless such State agrees to submit to the Secretary, in each fiscal 
year in which the Secretary makes payments under such grant to such 
State, a report containing--
            (1) a description of the program established by such State 
        under section 203(a), including a summary of the evaluation of 
        such program conducted under section 203(b)(11);
            (2) the number of small businesses receiving assistance 
        under such program; and
            (3) any other information as the Secretary may reasonably 
        require.

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HR 91 IH----2