§18B-3D-2. Workforce Development Initiative Program continued; purpose; program administration; rule required.

(a) The Workforce Development Initiative Program is continued under the supervision of the council. The purpose of the program is to administer and oversee grants to community and technical colleges to implement the provisions of this article in accordance with legislative intent.

(b) It is the responsibility of the council to administer the state fund for community and technical college and workforce development, including setting criteria for grant applications, receiving applications for grants, making determinations on distribution of funds, and evaluating the performance of workforce development initiatives.

(c) The chancellor, under the direction of the council, shall review and approve the expenditure of all grant funds, including development of application criteria, the review and selection of applicants for funding, and the annual review and justification of applicants for grant renewal.

 (1) When determining which grant proposals will be funded, the council shall give special consideration to proposals by community and technical colleges that involve businesses with fewer than fifty employees.

 (2) The council shall weigh each proposal to avoid awarding grants which will have the ultimate effect of providing unfair advantage to employers new to the state who will be in direct competition with established local businesses.

(d) The council may allocate a reasonable amount, not to exceed five percent up to a maximum of $50,000 of the funds available for grants on an annual basis, for general program administration.

(e) Moneys appropriated or otherwise available for the Workforce Development Initiative Program shall be allocated by line item to an appropriate account. Any moneys remaining in the fund at the close of a fiscal year are carried forward for use in the next fiscal year.

(f) Nothing in this article requires a specific level of appropriation by the Legislature.