ARC 8065C

ARC 8065C

WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT[871]

Notice of Intended Action

Proposing rulemaking related to research and information services division

and providing an opportunity for public comment

The Workforce Development Department hereby proposes to rescind Chapter 10, "Research and Information Services Division," Iowa Administrative Code, and to adopt a new chapter with the same title.

Legal Authority for Rulemaking

This rulemaking is proposed under the authority provided in Iowa Code chapter 17A and chapter 84A as amended by 2023 Iowa Acts, Senate File 514.

State or Federal Law Implemented

This rulemaking implements, in whole or in part, Iowa Code chapter 17A; Iowa Code chapter 84A as amended by 2023 Iowa Acts, Senate File 514; and Executive Order 10.

Purpose and Summary

Chapter 10 provides administrative rules for the Research and Information Services Division of the Department. The chapter offers guidance on the Department's mission and organization as well as the responsibilities of its two bureaus, the Research and Reporting Bureau and the Labor Statistics Bureau.

As part of the Department's review of rules under Executive Order 10, the Department identified several instances where the current chapter duplicated statutory language and used restrictive terms. Such text has been removed in the proposed chapter.

Fiscal Impact

This rulemaking has no fiscal impact to the State of Iowa.

Jobs Impact

After analysis and review of this rulemaking, no impact on jobs has been found.

Waivers

Any person who believes that the application of the discretionary provisions of this rulemaking would result in hardship or injustice to that person may petition the Department for a waiver of the discretionary provisions, if any.

Public Comment

Any interested person may submit written comments concerning this proposed rulemaking. Written comments in response to this rulemaking must be received by the Department no later than 4:30 p.m.on July 2, 2024. Comments should be directed to:

Public Hearing

Public hearings at which persons may present their views orally or in writing will be held as follows:

Persons who wish to make oral comments at a public hearing may be asked to state their names for the record and to confine their remarks to the subject of this proposed rulemaking.

Any persons who intend to attend a public hearing and have special requirements, such as those related to hearing or mobility impairments, should contact the Department and advise of specific needs.

Review by Administrative Rules Review Committee

The Administrative Rules Review Committee, a bipartisan legislative committee which oversees rulemaking by executive branch agencies, may, on its own motion or on written request by any individual or group, review this rulemaking at its regular monthly meeting or at a special meeting. The Committee's meetings are open to the public, and interested persons may be heard as provided in Iowa Code section 17A.8(6).

The following rulemaking action is proposed:

Item 1. Rescind 871—Chapter 10 and adopt the following new chapter in lieu thereof:

CHAPTER 10

RESEARCH AND INFORMATION SERVICES DIVISION

871—10.1(84A) Mission and organization.

10.1(1) Mission. The labor market information division conducts research, develops labor market information, and provides information services in support of the department of workforce development's mission.

10.1(2) Operation and administration. The division is under the direction of a division administrator who reports to the deputy director. The division functions include planning, researching, analyzing, and reporting labor market information. The division administrator directs and leads labor market research, workforce data collection, and related projects.

871—10.2(84A) Research and reporting bureau. The bureau is under the direction of the division administrator and is responsible for research and reporting functions of the unemployment compensation program in Iowa. The bureau is responsible for:

1.Calculating the financial impact of proposed changes to Iowa's unemployment compensation system with regard to the unemployment compensation fund, employer tax rates, and claimant benefits.

2.Monitoring the unemployment compensation fund solvency and writing legislative proposals recommending revisions to the tax and benefits sections in Iowa Code chapter 96.

3.Producing required and special reports analyzing and reporting the unemployment compensation system workload activities, employer compensation payments, and claimant benefit payments.

4.Calculating the contribution rate tables for private employers and the base rate for nonprofit and government employers.

5.Preparing, analyzing and distributing projected industry and occupational employment information for the state and service delivery areas.

6.Preparing and distributing economic analyses of the Iowa labor market in hard copy and electronic formats and by in-person presentations.

7.Conducting labor market research using surveys and secondary and administrative data to provide understanding of the labor supply and demand.

8.Collecting and reporting workplace injury, illness, and fatality statistics.

9.Providing training in the uses of occupational and labor market information to school counselors, teachers and labor market intermediaries.

871—10.3(84A) Labor statistics bureau. The bureau is under the direction of a chief who assists the division administrator in planning, directing and coordinating the production of employment data for Iowa and the counties. The bureau is responsible for:

1.Collecting, analyzing and summarizing data and producing monthly employment and earnings estimates for Iowa, metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs) in Iowa, and counties in Iowa.

2.Collecting, analyzing and summarizing employment and wage data from Iowa employers subject to the unemployment insurance law to produce statewide and county data by industrial groups.

3.Providing occupational and training information to planners of vocational and other training programs.

4.Paying special attention to the career development and labor market information needs of Iowans.

5.Providing training in the uses of occupational and labor market information to school counselors, teachers and labor market intermediaries.

6.Collecting, preparing, analyzing and distributing labor force, unemployment, unemployment rate and total employment information for the state, MSAs, counties and selected cities in Iowa.

7.Collecting, preparing, analyzing and distributing occupational employment and occupational wage information for the state, MSAs and the balance of the state.

8.Developing and maintaining a national reporting system for the Current Employment Statistics program.

These rules are intended to implement Iowa Code chapter 84A.