A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT pertaining to reporting requirements under the Trade jobs for success initiative.
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1.  In addition to the statutory reporting requirements pursuant to G.S. 143B‑438.17, the Employment Security Commission, Department of Commerce, and the Community Colleges System Office shall make a joint written progress report on their compliance with Section 13.7A of S.L. 2004‑124, as to the following:
(1)	The actions taken to obtain from the U.S. Department of Labor as quickly as possible a waiver under the Trade Adjustment Act to allow the Trade Jobs for Success initiative to (i) serve persons regardless of their age, (ii) use unemployment funds to provide direct monetary incentives to participating employers and direct income to eligible workers in the retraining program, and (iii) use funds for in‑State relocation assistance.
(2)	Whether waivers have been sought for other program components.
(3)	The progress made in implementing the Trade Jobs for Success initiative in the counties hardest hit by trade impacted job losses, particularly the counties having an unemployment rate of eight percent (8%) and the extent to which these counties have received priority consideration.
(4)	The efforts of the Department of Commerce seeking and receiving private grants and federal funds for the Trade Jobs for Success initiative.
(5)	Any reasons why legislative mandates have not been followed or the statutory goals have not been achieved.
The progress report shall be submitted to the Joint Legislative Commission on Governmental Operations and to the Chairs of the Appropriations Committees of the Senate and the House of Representatives by May 1, 2005.
SECTION 2.  G.S. 143B‑438.17 reads as rewritten:
"§ 143B‑438.17.  Reporting.
(a)	Beginning May 1, 2005, the Department of Commerce, in conjunction with the Employment Security Commission and the Community Colleges System Office, shall publish a monthly written report on the Trade Jobs for Success (TJS) initiative. The monthly report shall provide information on the commitment, disbursement, and use of funds and the status of any grant proposals or waivers requested on behalf of the Trade Jobs for Success initiative. The monthly report shall be submitted to the Governor and to the Fiscal Research Division of the General Assembly.
(b)	Beginning June 30, 2005, the Department of Commerce, in conjunction with the Employment Security Commission and the Community Colleges System Office, shall publish a quarterly written report on the Trade Jobs for Success initiative. The quarterly report shall include legislative proposals and recommendations regarding statutory changes needed to maximize the effectiveness and flexibility of the TJS initiative. Copies of the quarterly report shall be provided to the Joint Legislative Commission on Governmental Operations, to the chairs of the Senate and House of Representatives Appropriations Committees, and to the Fiscal Research Division of the General Assembly.
(c)	Beginning January 1, 2006, the Department of Commerce, in conjunction with the Employment Security Commission and the Community Colleges System Office, shall publish a comprehensive annual written report on the Trade Jobs for Success initiative. The annual report shall include a detailed explanation of outcomes and future planning for the TJS initiative. Copies of the annual report shall be provided to the Governor, to the Joint Legislative Commission on Governmental Operations, to the chairs of the Senate and House of Representatives Appropriations Committees, and to the Fiscal Research Division of the General Assembly."
SECTION 3.  This act becomes effective April 15, 2005.