Section 8-15.7-102 - State apprenticeship agency - created - director - powers and duties - rules(1) There is created in the department the state apprenticeship agency. The executive director shall appoint a director of the SAA. The SAA shall: (a) Serve as the primary point of contact with the United States department of labor's office of apprenticeship;(b) Accelerate new apprenticeship program growth on a geographically diverse basis, especially in high-demand occupations, while ensuring quality standards;(b.5) Establish the state apprenticeship council, which operates under the direction of the SAA, to provide advice and guidance to the SAA;(c) Provide administrative support to the SAC in carrying out its duties;(d) Work in partnership with relevant state agencies to reduce duplication of postsecondary program approval;(e) Seek recognition by the United States department of labor and operate the SAA in conformity with federal regulations;(f) Coordinate the registered apprenticeship programs with Colorado's economic development strategies and publicly funded workforce investment system; and(g) to (j) (Deleted by amendment, L. 2023.) (k) Monitor and evaluate apprenticeship programs' performance and compliance with federal and state standards.(l) to (r) (Deleted by amendment, L. 2023.)(s)(I) Review applications for and issue income tax credit certificates as specified in section 39-22-562 and promulgate rules to establish standards for the certificates.(II) This subsection (1)(s) is repealed, effective December 31, 2037.(2) The SAA is a type 1 entity, as defined in section 24-1-105, and exercises its powers and performs its duties and functions under the department.(3) The SAA must follow all guidance documents issued by the United States department of labor's office of apprenticeship.(4) The director may promulgate rules as necessary to implement this article 15.7, which rules must conform with federal regulations.(5)(a) The director may:(I) Approve the registration of apprenticeship programs in conformity with federal regulations; and(II) Approve the deregistration of apprenticeship programs at the request of the sponsor or after a hearing pursuant to section 8-15.7-107.(b) The determination of the director is a final agency action that is subject to judicial review pursuant to section 24-4-106.(6) The director shall contribute education and workforce data beginning in the 2025-26 state fiscal year, as necessary, to the Colorado statewide longitudinal data system consistent with the governance practices established by the Colorado statewide longitudinal data system governing board pursuant to section 24-37.5-125 (4).Amended by 2024 Ch. 238,§ 6, eff. 5/23/2024.Amended by 2024 Ch. 164,§ 3, eff. 5/10/2024.Amended by 2024 Ch. 163,§ 3, eff. 5/10/2024.Amended by 2023 Ch. 37, § 4, eff. 3/23/2023.Amended by 2022 Ch. 469, § 87, eff. 8/10/2022.Added by 2021 Ch. 309, § 1, eff. 7/1/2021. 2022 Ch. 469, was passed without a safety clause. See Colo. Const. art. V, § 1(3).