Bill > HB3143

This bill establishes the Workforce-Education Partnership Act, which creates a tax credit program designed to incentivize businesses to support vocational education and high school training programs. The bill allows business owners to contract out their employees to participate in educational programs at various school types, including public, private, charter, and homeschool settings, with the goal of developing skilled labor and fostering economic growth. Businesses can receive a 100% tax credit for an employee's gross wages during their participation in educational activities, with an annual cap of $50,000 per business and a statewide total cap of $5 million per fiscal year. Employees participating in the program will retain their employment status and benefits while providing specialized instruction or mentorship in fields like trade skills, technology, engineering, and healthcare. The program includes strict compliance requirements, ensuring that participating employees do not replace certified educators and meet necessary qualifications. The West Virginia Departments of Tax and Revenue and Education will oversee the program, develop an online application portal, maintain a partnership registry, and provide annual reports to the Legislature about the program's effectiveness. The bill aims to minimize state costs by utilizing existing administrative resources and creating a fiscally sustainable framework for public-private educational collaboration.