DOA:......Humphry, BB0553 - Wisconsin Fast Forward allocations
For 2025-2027 Budget -- Not Ready For Introduction
An Act ...; relating to: the budget.
Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau
EMPLOYMENT
Wisconsin Fast Forward grants
Under current law, DWD awards grants under what is commonly known as the Wisconsin Fast Forward program, for various workforce training purposes. This bill adds grants for education and training in the use of artificial intelligence to the allowed uses of funds under the program and requires DWD to collaborate with DHS and DPI in administering the program. The bill also requires DWD to allocate moneys under the Wisconsin Fast Forward program as follows:
1. A total of $2,000,000 in GPR funding in fiscal year 2025-26 for green jobs training.
2. A total of $200,000 in GPR funding in each year of the 2025-27 fiscal biennium for grants to help school districts to prepare students for a future that includes artificial intelligence.
3. A total of $1,000,000 in GPR funding in each year of the 2025-27 fiscal biennium to provide grants to support costs of sponsoring teacher apprentices.
4. A total of $500,000 in GPR funding in each year of the 2025-27 fiscal biennium to support training in the health care industry.
For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill.
The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. 106.27 (1) (h) of the statutes is created to read:
106.27 (1) (h) Grants for education and training in the use of artificial intelligence.
Section 2. 106.27 (2m) of the statutes is amended to read:
106.27 (2m) Consultation. The department shall consult with the department of public instruction, the department of health services, the technical college system board and the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation in implementing this section.
Section 9150. Nonstatutory provisions; Workforce Development.
(1) Wisconsin Fast Forward allocations.
(a) Green jobs training. From the appropriation under s. 20.445 (1) (b), in fiscal year 2025-26, the department of workforce development shall allocate $2,000,000 for grants under s. 106.27 (1) to public or private organizations for the development and implementation of green jobs training programs in this state. In this paragraph, “green jobs” means jobs that produce goods or provide services that benefit the environment or conserve natural resources.
(b) Teacher apprentice incentives. From the appropriation under s. 20.445 (1) (b), in each year of the 2025-27 fiscal biennium, the department of workforce development shall allocate $1,000,000 to provide grants under s. 106.27 (1) to support costs of sponsoring teacher apprentices under subch. I of ch. 106.
(c) Health care industry training. From the appropriation under s. 20.445 (1) (b), in each year of the 2025-27 fiscal biennium, the department of workforce development shall allocate $500,000 for grants under s. 106.27 (1) to support training in the health care industry.
(d) Artificial intelligence. From the appropriation under s. 20.445 (1) (b), in each year of the 2025-27 fiscal biennium, the department of workforce development shall allocate $200,000 for grants under s. 106.27 (1) to help school districts to prepare students for a future that includes artificial intelligence.
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