AR SB557

Appropriates $40,000,000 from the General Improvement Fund to the Department of Career Education for transfer to the Skills Development Fund for workforce development programs.

Appropriates an additional $40,000,000 from the Skills Development Fund to the Department of Career Education for personal services, operating expenses, equipment and grants for statewide workforce development programs for fiscal year ending June 30, 2016.

Allows the department to adopt new rules and regulations to implement the appropriations without being restricted by requirements applicable to other programs currently administered.

Permits institutions and agencies to accept and use grants, donations, Federal funds, and unobligated cash income to supplement State Treasury funds for these projects.

Effective July 1, 2015 with emergency clause citing constitutional limitations on appropriations to one-year periods and the essential nature of the funding for agency operations.