Clean Energy Job Creation Program.

The California Clean Energy Jobs Act, an initiative approved by the voters as Proposition 39 at the November 6, 2012, statewide general election, made changes to corporate income taxes and, except as specified, provided for the transfer of $550,000,000 annually from the General Fund to the Clean Energy Job Creation Fund for 5 fiscal years beginning with the 2013–14 fiscal year. Moneys in the fund are available, upon appropriation by the Legislature, for purposes of funding eligible projects that create jobs in California improving energy efficiency and expanding clean energy generation. Existing law provides for the allocation of moneys remaining in the fund after the 2017–18 fiscal year and, commencing with the 2018–19 fiscal year, establishes the Clean Energy Job Creation Program to fund projects that create jobs in California improving energy efficiency and expanding clean energy generation, and provides for the allocation of moneys appropriated by the Legislature to community college districts and local educational agencies for purposes of the program. Existing law requires the State Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission, in allocating grants to local educational agencies as part of the program, to give priority based on specified criteria. This bill would require the commission, in allocating grants to local educational agencies as part of the program, to also give priority based on a local educational agency's utilization of apprentices from state-approved apprenticeship and preapprenticeship programs, as specified. The bill would explicitly authorize program expenditures associated with employee training and energy managers.