Oklahoma Administrative Code › Title 1 - EXECUTIVE ORDERS › Section 1:2023-2

Current through Vol. 41, No. 20, July 1, 2024
EXECUTIVE ORDER 2023-2
WHEREAS, the development and growth of an effective workforce
			 which is responsive to the needs of employers is foundational to the health and
			 vitality of the Oklahoma economy and to the well-being and prosperity of all
			 Oklahomans; and
WHEREAS, the changing nature of demands upon both employers and
			 the labor force requires that the structure of Oklahoma's workforce delivery
			 system be continually evaluated and updated; and
WHEREAS, the current structure of Oklahoma's workforce delivery
			 system suffers from a fragmentation of responsibilities and funding between
			 several state agencies, including but not limited to, the Department of
			 Commerce, the Department of Rehabilitation Services, the Oklahoma Employment
			 Security Commission, the State Regents for Higher Education and associated
			 institutions of higher education, the State Department of Career and Technology
			 Education, and the State Department of Education, as well as further
			 fragmentation due to the involvement of various local governmental entities;
			 and
WHEREAS, in order to maximize our economic effectiveness, save
			 taxpayer dollars, and assure that Oklahoma continues to be competitive with
			 other states and countries, it is essential that the important work performed
			 by all of these agencies and entities be coordinated and administered in
			 accordance with best workforce development practices; and
WHEREAS, Oklahoma has the talent, employers, and conditions
			 necessary to be a top performer in education and workforce nationally;
			 and
WHEREAS, Oklahomans deserve a coordinated workforce system that
			 enables jobseekers to find careers and employers to staff needed talent.
THEREFORE, I, J. Kevin Stitt, Governor of the State of Oklahoma,
			 pursuant to the power and authority vested in me by Sections 1 and 2 of Article
			 VI of the Oklahoma Constitution, and to the fullest extent permitted under
			 Oklahoma law, hereby order the formation of the Workforce Transformation Task
			 Force.
The purpose of the Task Force shall be to design a new workforce
			 delivery system in Oklahoma and to guide the state's transition from the
			 current system to the new system. The key features of the new system shall
			 include, but not be limited to:
1. A
		  single entity responsible for workforce development in the State of Oklahoma,
		  which shall be tasked with coordinating all parts of the workforce development
		  ecosystem, including the delivery of accountable, results-oriented reporting to
		  state elected leaders and the taxpayers of this state;
2. Direction of all funding for workforce
		  development, including federal Workforce Investment and Opportunity Act (WIOA)
		  funds, to the new entity, to be disbursed as provided by law and in alignment
		  with a strategic plan for the state with regards to statewide workforce
		  development. Any processes designed shall be structured to ensure the highest
		  standards of transparency, accountability, and deliberation to assure that
		  public funds are put to their highest and best uses; and
3. Development of a meaningful public-private
		  partnership with the business community that ensures that business leaders are
		  involved in development and implementation of the new system.
In completing its work, the Task Force shall:
* Evaluate the operations of the state's current workforce
			 delivery system, as well as those of other states, and develop recommendations
			 to enhance coordination, efficiency, and effectiveness of workforce development
			 efforts within and among stakeholder state agencies and local entities;
* Determine the best structure, operating procedures, and chain
			 of command of the new workforce delivery system to achieve the goals directed
			 by this Order;
* Guide the transition of all existing workforce programs,
			 including but not limited to those funded by or operating pursuant to
			 WIOA;
* Recommend a reporting structure that ensures accountability for
			 public funds and program results;
* Design a workforce delivery system structure adequate to
			 developing the quantity and quality of the labor force required to meet the
			 needs of employers currently and in the future; and
* Identify ways to maximize federal and other funding, including
			 but not limited to funds available under the federal Workforce Innovation and
			 Opportunity Act.
The Task Force shall create a written plan for this transition
			 and is empowered to take such actions as may be necessary to assist the
			 transition to the fullest extent permitted by law, including but not limited
			 to, writing a new state WIOA plan to submit to appropriate federal authorities
			 as provided by law, and making recommendations to the Legislature for changes
			 in state law as may be necessary to accomplish the creation of and transition
			 to the new system.
The Task Force shall be composed of the following voting
			 members:
1. The Oklahoma Secretary of
		  Commerce, who shall serve as Co-Chair;
2. The President and Chief Executive Officer
		  of the Oklahoma State Chamber of Commerce, who shall serve as
		  Co-Chair;
3. Three private sector
		  members appointed by the Governor;
4. The President Pro Tempore of the Senate or
		  his designee;
5. The Speaker of the
		  House of Representatives or his designee; and
6. The Oklahoma Secretary of Science and
		  Innovation or her designee.
The Governor shall be authorized to appoint additional nonvoting
			 members, as he may deem necessary. The appropriate appointing authority shall
			 be authorized to fill vacancies or remove his or her appointees. The Task Force
			 shall meet as often as deemed necessary by the Co-Chairs allowing for timely
			 completion of its duties. A majority of the voting members shall constitute a
			 quorum for the purpose of conducting the business of the Task Force. Members
			 shall serve without compensation. Administrative support for the Task Force
			 shall be provided by the State Department of Commerce, and any private source
			 as requested by the Co-Chairs. All state agencies are hereby directed to
			 cooperate with the Task Force, including providing any information, data,
			 records and reports as may be requested. The Task Force shall be required to
			 complete its work and report its findings to the Governor, President Pro
			 Tempore of the Senate and Speaker of the House of Representatives no later than
			 April 15, 2023.
This Executive Order shall be distributed to the Secretary of
			 Commerce and to each member of the Task Force specifically identified herein,
			 the President Pro Tempore of the Oklahoma Senate, and the Speaker of the
			 Oklahoma House of Representatives.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the
			 Great Seal of the State of Oklahoma to be affixed at Oklahoma City, Oklahoma,
			 on this 17 
			 th day of January, 2023.
BY THE GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA
J. Kevin Stitt
ATTEST:
Brian Bingman
Secretary of State