67-1-12 - Displaced defense workers.
67-1-12. Displaced defense workers.
(1) The governor, through the Department of Workforce Services, may use fundsspecifically appropriated by the Legislature to benefit, in a manner prescribed by Subsection (2):
(a) Department of Defense employees within the state who lose their employmentbecause of reductions in defense spending by the federal government;
(b) persons dismissed by a defense-related industry employer because of reductions infederal government defense contracts received by the employer; and
(c) defense-related businesses in the state that have been severely and adversely impactedbecause of reductions in defense spending.
(2) Funds appropriated under this section before fiscal year 1999-2000 but not expendedshall remain with the agency that possesses the funds and shall be used in a manner consistentwith this section. Any amount appropriated under this section in fiscal year 1999-2000 orthereafter may be used to:
(a) provide matching or enhancement funds for grants, loans, or other assistance receivedby the state from the United States Department of Labor, Department of Defense, or other federalagency to assist in retraining, community assistance, or technology transfer activities;
(b) fund or match available private or public funds from the state or local level to be usedfor retraining, community assistance, technology transfer, or educational projects coordinated bystate or federal agencies;
(c) provide for retraining, upgraded services, and programs at applied technology centers,public schools, higher education institutions, or any other appropriate public or private entity thatare designed to teach specific job skills requested by a private employer in the state or requiredfor occupations that are in demand in the state;
(d) aid public or private entities that provide assistance in locating new employment;
(e) inform the public of assistance programs available for persons who have lost theiremployment;
(f) increase funding for assistance and retraining programs;
(g) provide assistance for small start-up companies owned or operated by persons whohave lost their employment;
(h) enhance the implementation of dual-use technologies programs, communityadjustment assistance programs, or other relevant programs under Pub. L. No. 102-484; and
(i) coordinate local and national resources to protect and enhance current Utah defenseinstallations and related operations and to facilitate conversion or enhancement efforts by:
(i) creating and operating state information clearinghouse operations that monitorrelevant activities on the federal, state, and local level;
(ii) identifying, seeking, and matching funds from federal and other public agencies andprivate donors;
(iii) identifying and coordinating needs in different geographic areas;
(iv) coordinating training and retraining centers;
(v) coordinating technology transfer efforts between public entities, private entities, andinstitutions of higher education;
(vi) facilitating the development of local and national awareness and support for Utahdefense installations;
(vii) studying the creation of strategic alliances, tax incentives, and relocation andconsolidation assistance; and
(viii) exploring feasible alternative uses for the physical and human resources at defenseinstallations and in related industries should reductions in mission occur.
(3) The governor, through the Department of Workforce Services, may coordinate andadminister the expenditure of money under this section and collaborate with applied technologycenters, public institutions of higher learning, or other appropriate public or private entities toprovide retraining and other services described in Subsection (2).
Amended by Chapter 269, 1999 General Session