Panel adopts amendment to repeat‑contractor rule to rely on 'actual earned' threshold, effective July 1

The Employment Training Panel voted to amend its repeat‑contractor rule, replacing a time‑based restriction with an earned‑funding threshold and setting the amendment to take effect July 1, 2024.

Staff described the change as aligning panel policy with measures of actual performance rather than an 18‑month clock. "If approved, all contractors must reach 75% actual earned amount on all active core funded contracts before they can submit an application for an additional core funded contract," staff said, and requested the later effective date to allow operations and customers time to prepare. Elizabeth Testa, a staff member, clarified the practical effect: "in the new proposed repeat contractor rule, there's no time limit involved, but they're using the actual earned amount instead."

A public commenter, John Fox, asked whether the draft differed from the policy committee discussion and suggested sending the item back for more robust public comment; another commenter explained that "earned funding" reflects completed training plus 90 days of employment. After public comment and Q&A, the panel moved, seconded and adopted the amendment by roll call; the chair announced the amendment is effective 07/01/2024 so applications received before that date will follow the current rule.