§ 15-4-2209 - Local workforce investment boards to be established. - Arkansas Statutes

15-4-2209. Local workforce investment boards to be established.

(a) There shall be established by January 15, 2000, in each local area of the state and certified by the Governor a local workforce investment board to set policy for the portion of the statewide workforce investment system within the local area.

(b) The Governor in partnership with the Arkansas Workforce Investment Board shall establish criteria for use by chief elected officials in the local areas for appointment of members of the local boards.

(c) At a minimum, the criteria shall require that the membership of each local board include a majority of representatives of business in the local area who:

(1) Are owners of businesses, chief executives or operating officers of businesses, and other business executives or employers with policymaking or hiring authority;

(2) Represent businesses with employment opportunities that reflect the employment opportunities of the local area; and

(3) Are appointed from among individuals nominated by local business organizations and business trade associations.

(d) A majority of the members of the local board shall be representatives described in subsection (c) of this section.

(e) The chief elected official shall ensure that the local board membership shall reflect the same percentage of minorities as in the 2002 Federal Decennial Census for the local workforce investment areas of the board.

(f) The local board shall elect a chair for the local board from among the representatives described in subsection (c) of this section.

(g) (1) The chief elected official in a local area is authorized to appoint the members of the local board for the area in accordance with the state criteria.

(2) In the event a local area includes more than one (1) unit of general local government, the chief elected officials of the units shall execute an agreement that specifies the respective roles of the individual chief elected officials:

(A) In the appointment of the members of the local board from the individuals nominated or recommended to be the members in accordance with the criteria; and

(B) In carrying out any other responsibilities assigned to the officials under this section.

(3) If after a reasonable effort the chief elected officials are unable to reach agreement, the Governor may appoint the members of the local board from individuals so nominated or recommended.

(h) (1) A council of one-stop partners shall be established by the chief elected officials at the local board level that shall include, but not be limited to:

(A) Representatives of local educational entities selected from among individuals nominated by regional or local educational agencies, institutions, or organizations representing the local educational entities, including:

(i) Representatives of local educational agencies;

(ii) Local school boards;

(iii) Two-year colleges and universities;

(iv) Entities providing adult education and literacy activities; and

(v) Postsecondary educational institutions;

(B) Representatives of labor organizations nominated by Arkansas local labor federations, or other representatives of employees if no employees are represented by labor organizations;

(C) Representatives of community-based organizations;

(D) Representatives of economic development agencies, including private sector economic development entities;

(E) Representatives of each of the one-stop partners;

(F) One (1) member who is a person with a disability and who is familiar with vocational rehabilitation and:

(i) Represents an organization of Arkansans with disabilities; or

(ii) Complies with subsection (c) of this section; and

(G) One (1) member who represents veterans' organizations.

(2) The council may include other individuals or representatives of entities as the chief elected official in the local area may determine to be appropriate.