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Minutes for SB529 - Committee on Ways and Means
Short Title
Creating the Dwayne Peaslee technical training center district act to authorize the establishment of the Dwayne Peaslee technical training center district in Douglas county.
Minutes Content for Thu, Mar 14, 2024
Chairperson Billinger opened the hearing on SB 529. David Wiese, Office of the Revisor of Statutes, provided an overview of the bill. (Attachment 1)
Senator Rick Kloos testified in support of the bill. The current Peaslee Tech facility is 80,000 square feet and their mission is to grow a work force of technically skilled individuals. We have talked for years about the lack of skilled workers and this will help Peaslee Tech get to the next step to help fill that gap. There is no cost to the state-this just allows for a ballot measure. (Attachment 2)
Kevin Kelley, Chief Executive Officer, Peaslee Tech, spoke in support of the bill and indicated they are a not-for-profit organization funded partly by the City of Lawrence and Douglas County. They also receive funding from companies who contract with them to train employees. This bill would help the long-term stability of the center and his goal is to still be training people fifty years from now. Mr. Kelley responded to questions from Committee members. (Attachment 3)
Sean Miller, Kansas Building Industry Association, spoke as a proponent of the bill. Residential home builders and collaboration is what brings him here. Peaslee Tech is a critical part of the training for the workforce while taking less than two to four years. This is about local stakeholders and communities working together to find a long-term and stable funding source to provide a skilled workforce necessary to address the ever changing housing needs in our communities. Mr. Miller responded to questions from Committee members. (Attachment 4)
Senator Marci Francisco spoke in support of the bill as it would allow for improvement and expansion of the training center by making funding permanent. She included a proposed minor amendment in her testimony. Senator Francisco responded to questions from a Committee member. (Attachment 5)
Written only testimony in support of the bill was submitted by:
Douglas County (Attachment 6)
Bobbie Flory, Lawrence Home Builders Association (Attachment 7)
Richard Hird, Petefish, Immel, Hird, Johnson, Leibold & Sloan, LLP (Attachment 8)
Russ Johnson, LMH Health (Attachment 9)
Bonnie Lowe, Lawrence Chamber (Attachment 10)
Shirley Martin-Smith, Adecco (Attachment 11)
Craig Owens, City of Lawrence (Attachment 12)
Cynthia Yulich, Emprise Bank (Attachment 13)
There being no further conferees, Chairperson Billinger closed the hearing on SB 529.
