Arkansas Code of 1987 (2023) › Title 15 - NATURAL RESOURCES AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT (§§ 15-1-101 — 15-76-324) › Subtitle 1 - DEVELOPMENT OF ECONOMIC AND NATURAL RESOURCES GENERALLY (§§ 15-1-101 — 15-14-108) › Chapter 4 - DEVELOPMENT OF BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY GENERALLY (§§ 15-4-101 — 15-4-3910) › Subchapter 37 - ARKANSAS WORKFORCE INNOVATION AND OPPORTUNITY ACT (§§ 15-4-3701 — 15-4-3714) › Section 15-4-3704 - Arkansas Workforce Development Board

(a)
The Arkansas Workforce Development Board is created.
(b)
The Arkansas Workforce Development Board shall consist of:
(1)
The Governor;
(2)
The following members to be appointed by the Governor, subject to confirmation by the Senate:
(A)
Members constituting a majority of the Arkansas Workforce Development Board who are representatives of businesses in Arkansas and who:
(i)
Are owners of businesses, chief executives or operating officers of businesses, or other business executives or employers with optimum policymaking or hiring authority, and who may be members of a local workforce development board;
(ii)
Represent businesses, including small businesses, or organizations representing businesses, providing employment opportunities that, at a minimum, include high-quality, work-relevant training and development in in-demand industry sectors or occupations in Arkansas; and
(iii)
Are appointed from among individuals nominated by Arkansas business organizations and business trade associations; and
(B)
Members constituting not less than twenty percent (20%) of the membership of the Arkansas Workforce Development Board who are representatives of the workforce within the state, to include:
(i)
Two (2) members who are representatives of labor organizations to be nominated by the Arkansas Labor Federation;
(ii)
One (1) member who is a representative of a labor organization or a training director, from a joint labor-management apprenticeship program, or if no such joint program exists in the state, a representative of an apprenticeship program in Arkansas;
(iii)
At least one (1) member who is a representative of a community-based organization that has demonstrated experience and expertise in addressing the employment, training, or education needs of individuals with barriers to employment, including community-based organizations that serve veterans or that provide or support competitive, integrated employment for individuals with disabilities;
(iv)
At least one (1) member who is a representative from the Division of Higher Education representing postsecondary organizations that have demonstrated experience and expertise in addressing the employment, training, or education needs of eligible youth; and
(v)
At least one (1) member who is a representative of community-based organizations that have demonstrated experience and expertise in addressing the employment, training, or education needs of eligible youth, including community-based organizations that serve out-of-school youth;
(3)
The Director of the Adult Education Section;
(4)
The Director of the Division of Workforce Services;
(5)
The Commissioner of Arkansas Rehabilitation Services;
(6)
The Director of the Division of State Services for the Blind;
(7)
The Director of the Arkansas Economic Development Commission;
(8)
One (1) chief elected official nominated by the Arkansas Municipal League; and
(9)
One (1) chief elected official nominated by the Association of Arkansas Counties.
(c)
(1)
The Arkansas Workforce Development Board shall not consist of more than thirty-eight (38) members.
(2)
A person may not serve in dual capacity as a member of the Arkansas Workforce Development Board.
(d)
The members of the Arkansas Workforce Development Board shall represent diverse geographic areas of the state, including urban, rural, and suburban areas.
(e)
The Governor shall annually select on June 1 of each year a chair for the Arkansas Workforce Development Board from among the members representing businesses.
(f)
(1)
Appointed members shall serve four-year staggered terms.
(2)
The staggered terms shall be assigned by lot.
(g)
In the event of a vacancy on the Arkansas Workforce Development Board in one (1) of the appointed positions, the vacancy shall be filled for the unexpired portion of the term by appointment by the original appointing authority of a person meeting the same qualifications required for initial appointment.
(h)
(1)
By a majority vote of the total membership of the Arkansas Workforce Development Board cast during its first regularly scheduled meeting of each calendar year, the Arkansas Workforce Development Board may authorize payment to the appointed members of a stipend not to exceed one hundred ten dollars ($110) per meeting attended of the full Arkansas Workforce Development Board or its committees, and the Arkansas Workforce Development Board members shall receive no other compensation, expense reimbursement, or in-lieu-of payments except as provided in §
25-16-902
.
(2)
The stipend shall be paid from Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act funding awarded to the state and authorized for Arkansas Workforce Development Board activities.
(i)
The Arkansas Workforce Development Board shall make available to the public on a regular basis, through electronic means and open meetings, the following information regarding:
(1)
The activities of the Arkansas Workforce Development Board;
(2)
The state workforce development plan, or any modification of the state workforce development plan, before submission of either the state workforce development plan or any modification of the state workforce development plan;
(3)
Membership of the Arkansas Workforce Development Board; and
(4)
On request, minutes of formal meetings of the Arkansas Workforce Development Board.
(j)
A member of the Arkansas Workforce Development Board shall not:
(1)
Vote on a matter under consideration by the Arkansas Workforce Development Board:
(A)
Regarding the provision of services by the member or by an entity that the member represents; or
(B)
That would provide direct financial benefit to the member or the immediate family of the member; or
(2)
Engage in another activity determined by the Governor or law to constitute a conflict of interest.
(k)
(1)
The Arkansas Workforce Development Board shall not directly hire staff.
(2)
Staff support shall be provided by the Division of Workforce Services.
(3)
The Governor shall appoint a chair and vice chair of the Arkansas Workforce Development Board.
(l)
The Arkansas Workforce Development Board shall meet at least quarterly or at the call of the chair or upon the written request of a majority of the members of the Arkansas Workforce Development Board.
(m)
Each appointed member shall be a resident of the State of Arkansas.
(n)
Each member shall have voting rights.
(o)
A simple majority of members shall constitute a quorum.
Amended by Act 2023, No. 197,§ 5, eff. 3/6/2023.
Amended by Act 2023, No. 182,§ 2, eff. 8/1/2023.
Amended by Act 2019, No. 910,§ 431, eff. 7/1/2019.
Amended by Act 2019, No. 910,§ 430, eff. 7/1/2019.
Amended by Act 2019, No. 910,§ 429, eff. 7/1/2019.
Amended by Act 2017, No. 374,§ 13, eff. 8/1/2017.
Added by Act 2015, No. 907,§ 3, eff. 4/1/2015.