This bill focuses on enhancing workforce training, unemployment insurance, and adult education in Iowa by amending the roles of the Department of Workforce Development and related entities. Key changes include the addition of the RefugeeRISE AmeriCorps program to Iowa's national service corps programs and a redefinition of the Department's responsibilities to emphasize job placement and training, while removing references to employment safety and labor standards. The bill also allows the Workforce Development Board to create standing committees and updates local workforce development plan requirements to ensure alignment with federal laws.

Furthermore, the bill modifies the definition of taxable wages for unemployment insurance, specifying that only wages paid within Iowa will be considered taxable, and repeals outdated programs like the Iowa conservation corps. It transfers the responsibility for annual workforce training reports from the Department to the College Student Aid Commission. Additionally, the Iowa student internship program is revised to eliminate financial assistance for connecting students with small and medium-sized firms, while maintaining support for STEM internships. An appropriation of $1,039,425 is allocated to the Iowa student internship fund to promote skilled workforce development, and responsibilities for adult education and literacy programs are shifted entirely to the Department, removing the requirement for community colleges to set standards.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 15H.9, 15H.5, 84A.1A, 84A.1B, 84A.3, 84A.5, 84A.6, 97B.1A, 256.228, 256.229, 84A.7, 84A.21, 12C.7, 84A.19