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Senate backs anti-steering bill for CDL training grants; sponsors say it promotes objective data
Summary
SB 1595 prohibits discriminatory steering by workforce boards and related entities when distributing grants for CDL training, creates a cause of action and was described by supporters as promoting objective data over subjective referrals; the Senate advanced and passed the bill.
Senate Bill 1595, offered by Senator McIntosh, targets what the sponsor described as steering and favoritism in the administration of CDL training grants that flow from federal workforce sources. "What is currently happening in multiple districts...is that...students are recruited by a school and then the folks administering the grant are steering the students to a different school," McIntosh said, adding he received emails and texts supporting the claim.
During questioning senators asked whether the bill creates a private cause of action and whether the entities that could be sued would be government boards, commissions or third-party contractors. McIntosh acknowledged that a private right of action is included and told senators his hope is that the law will encourage objective criteria (such as testing scores or pass rates) rather than subjective referrals.
Supporters framed the bill as promoting competition and protecting students; one senator who had heard similar complaints during the COVID period urged a yes vote. Skeptics asked who the offending parties were and whether evidence (emails, texts) would suffice in court. McIntosh said he had documentary evidence and that the bill was meant to encourage objective decision-making by workforce boards and their contractors.
The Senate advanced the measure; the floor record shows the bill passed as read in the transcript. The sponsor asked that agencies rely on objective data rather than subjective opinion when making funding referrals.
