Bill > AB338

This bill addresses workforce development in Los Angeles and Ventura Counties following the 2025 wildfires by appropriating $50 million from the General Fund to support employment and recovery efforts. The California Workforce Development Board will allocate funds to the Los Angeles County Department of Economic Opportunity and the Economic Development Collaborative to create workforce strategies that help underemployed and unemployed low- to moderate-income individuals. These strategies include job training, education, supportive services, and stipends, with a focus on critical sectors like construction, firefighting, healthcare, and emergency response. The bill requires the board to prioritize fund allocation based on the greatest need, considering the number of impacted workers and the scale of rebuilding efforts. Additionally, the legislation mandates quality standards for workforce programs and ensures that participants will have expedited access to licensing and certification. The bill is classified as an urgency statute, meaning it will take effect immediately to help quickly mobilize and support workers whose lives and incomes have been disrupted by the wildfires, recognizing the unique challenges faced by these specific counties in their recovery and economic resilience.

Budget and Finance, Labor and Employment

https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billStatusClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260AB338