BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	S.B. 337
	By: Powell
	Veteran Affairs & Border Security
	5/24/2021
	Enrolled

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

There are concerns that, while many skills learned during service in the military are similar to those needed in private industry, making a successful transition from the military into the civilian workforce can be difficult. S.B. 337 seeks to address these concerns through the establishment of a grant program to facilitate the participation of certain veterans and military personnel in apprenticeship training programs.

S.B. 337 amends the Labor Code to require the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) to develop and administer a program under which it may award grants to one or more nonprofit organizations that facilitate the participation in apprenticeship training programs of veterans and active-duty military service members who are transitioning into civilian employment. The bill limits the use of the grants to recruiting or assisting such veterans or service members to participate in an apprenticeship training program in Texas. The bill requires TWC to adopt rules for the administration of the bill's provisions, including rules for verifying that state funds awarded through such a grant are being used appropriately.

(Original Author's/Sponsor's Statement of Intent)

S.B. 337 amends current law relating to the award of grants by the Texas Workforce Commission to facilitate the participation of certain veterans and military personnel in apprenticeship training programs.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

Rulemaking authority is expressly granted to the Texas Workforce Commission in SECTION 1 (Section 302.00341, Labor Code) of this bill.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Subchapter A, Chapter 302, Labor Code, by adding Section 302.00341, as follows:

Sec. 302.00341. GRANTS TO FACILITATE PARTICIPATION IN APPRENTICESHIP TRAINING PROGRAMS BY CERTAIN VETERANS AND MILITARY PERSONNEL. (a) Defines "apprenticeship training program" and "nonprofit organization."

(b) Requires the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) to develop and administer a program under which TWC is authorized to award grants to one or more nonprofit organizations that facilitate the participation in apprenticeship training programs of veterans and active duty military service members who are transitioning into civilian employment.

(c) Authorizes a grant awarded under this section to be used only to recruit or assist veterans or active duty military service members who are transitioning into civilian employment to participate in an apprenticeship training program in this state.

(d) Requires TWC to adopt rules for the administration of this section, including rules for verifying that state funds awarded to a nonprofit organization under this section are being used appropriately.

SECTION 2. Requires TWC, as soon as practicable after the effective date of this Act, to adopt rules under Section 302.00341, Labor Code, as added by this Act.

SECTION 3. Provides that TWC is required to implement this Act only if the legislature appropriates money specifically for that purpose. Provides that if the legislature does not appropriate money specifically for that purpose, TWC is authorized, but not required, to implement this Act using other appropriations available for that purpose.

SECTION 4. Effective date: September 1, 2021.