§ 15-4-2204 - Arkansas Workforce Investment Board established. - Arkansas Statutes

15-4-2204. Arkansas Workforce Investment Board established.

(a) There is created the Arkansas Workforce Investment Board.

(b) (1) The board shall consist of:

(A) The Governor;

(B) Two (2) members to be appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate;

(C) Two (2) members to be appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives;

(D) The following members to be appointed by the Governor, subject to confirmation by the Senate:

(i) One (1) chief elected official nominated by the Arkansas Municipal League;

(ii) One (1) chief elected official nominated by the Association of Arkansas Counties;

(iii) No fewer than two (2) representatives of labor organizations to be nominated by the Arkansas Labor Federation;

(iv) No fewer than two (2) representatives of individuals and organizations who have experience with respect to youth activities and programs;

(v) No fewer than two (2) representatives of individuals and organizations who have experience and expertise in the delivery of workforce investment activities of which:

(a) One (1) member shall be a chief executive officer of a two-year college nominated by the Association of Two-year Colleges; and

(b) One (1) member shall represent a community-based organization;

(E) The Director of the Department of Career Education;

(F) The Director of the Department of Workforce Services;

(G) The Director of the Department of Human Services;

(H) The Director of the Arkansas Economic Development Commission;

(I) A representative of employment and training activities carried out by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development;

(J) The Director of the Department of Higher Education;

(K) The Director of the Arkansas Rehabilitation Services of the Department of Career Education; and

(L) The Director of the Division of State Services for the Blind of the Department of Human Services.

(2) A majority of the members of the board shall be representatives of business in Arkansas who:

(A) Are owners of businesses, chief executives or operating officers of businesses, and other business executives or employers with optimum policymaking or hiring authority, including members of the local workforce investment boards;

(B) Represent businesses with employment opportunities reflecting the employment opportunities of Arkansas; and

(C) Are appointed from among individuals nominated by Arkansas business organizations and business trade associations.

(c) (1) In no event shall the board consist of more than forty-three (43) members.

(2) A person may serve in dual capacity as a member of the board.

(d) In appointing members, the Governor shall take into consideration that the board represents the diverse regions of Arkansas, including without limitation urban, rural, and suburban areas.

(e) Members of the board who represent organizations, agencies, or other entities shall be individuals with optimum policymaking authority within their respective organizations, agencies, and entities.

(f) (1) Nonlegislative members shall be appointed for four-year staggered terms.

(2) The staggered terms shall be assigned by lot.

(3) The terms shall begin on July 1 of each year.

(g) The Governor shall annually select on June 1 a chair for the board among the representatives of businesses described in subdivision (b)(1)(D) of this section.

(h) In the event of a vacancy on the board, the vacancy shall be filled for the unexpired portion of the term by the appointment of a person meeting the same qualifications required for initial appointment.

(i) (1) By a majority vote of the total membership of the board cast during its first regularly scheduled meeting of each calendar year, the board may authorize payment to its members of a stipend not to exceed one hundred ten dollars ($110) per meeting attended. The board members shall receive no other compensation, expense reimbursement, or in-lieu-of payments as provided in 25-16-902.

(2) The stipend shall be paid from the Arkansas Workforce Investment Fund.

(j) Legislative members shall receive in lieu of reimbursement for meals, lodging, and travel the same per diem and mileage allowance for each day of attending meetings of the board as is authorized by law for attending meetings of the interim committees of the General Assembly, to be payable from the Arkansas Workforce Investment Fund.

(k) A member of the board shall not:

(1) Vote on a matter under consideration by the board:

(A) Regarding the provision of services by the member or by an entity that the member represents; or

(B) That would provide direct financial benefit to the member or the immediate family of the member; or

(2) Engage in any other activity determined by the Governor or by law to constitute a conflict of interest.

(l) Meetings of the board shall be held at least quarterly or at the call of the chair or upon the written request of a majority of the members of the board.