87R17175 CXP-F

By: Parker, Murphy, Raney, Hunter, et al. H.B. No. 3003

Substitute the following for H.B. No. 3003:

By: Frullo C.S.H.B. No. 3003

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the establishment of the Texas Reskilling and Upskilling through Education (TRUE) Program to support workforce education at two-year public institutions of higher education.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Chapter 61, Education Code, is amended by adding Subchapter T-2 to read as follows:

SUBCHAPTER T-2. TEXAS RESKILLING AND UPSKILLING THROUGH EDUCATION

(TRUE) PROGRAM

Sec. 61.881. DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter:

(1) "Eligible institution" means a public junior college or public state college.

(2) "Program" means the Texas Reskilling and Upskilling through Education (TRUE) Program established under this subchapter.

Sec. 61.882. ESTABLISHMENT; ADMINISTRATION; PURPOSE. (a) The Texas Reskilling and Upskilling through Education (TRUE) Program is established to strengthen the Texas workforce and build a stronger Texas economy.

(b) The board shall administer the program in accordance with this subchapter and rules adopted under this subchapter.

(c) Under the program, using funds appropriated or otherwise available for the purpose, the board shall award grants to eligible institutions or consortiums of eligible institutions for creating, redesigning, or expanding workforce training programs and delivering education and workforce training that lead to postsecondary industry certifications or other workforce credentials required for high-demand occupations.

(d) In awarding grants under this subchapter, the board:

(1) shall, to the greatest extent practicable, award grants to at least one eligible institution in each region of the state; and

(2) may give preference to applicants that:

(A) represent a consortium of eligible institutions; or

(B) prioritize training to displaced workers.

Sec. 61.883. USE OF GRANT. (a) A grant awarded to an eligible institution or a consortium of eligible institutions under this subchapter may be used only for the support and maintenance of educational and general activities that promote workforce learning at the institution or a member institution, as applicable, including:

(1) providing training in existing, new, or redesigned accelerated programs that teach high-demand skills and lead to postsecondary industry certifications or other workforce credentials valued in growing occupations;

(2) developing new industry-aligned, high-demand postsecondary industry certifications or other workforce credentials and certificate programs or other courses of instruction leading to those certifications or credentials that can be completed in six months or less;

(3) redesigning existing postsecondary industry certifications or credentials and certificate programs or other courses of instruction leading to those certifications or credentials to meet the standards under Subdivision (2); and

(4) expanding institutional capacity to provide high-demand postsecondary industry certifications or other workforce credentials that are stackable in high-demand career pathways and address the needs of high-demand occupations identified by the Texas Workforce Commission or applicable local workforce development boards.

(b) Money received by an eligible institution or a consortium of eligible institutions under the program in a fiscal year that is not used by the institution or a member institution, as applicable, in that fiscal year may be held and used by the institution or consortium in subsequent fiscal years for the purposes prescribed in this section.

Sec. 61.884. RECOGNIZED CERTIFICATIONS OR CREDENTIALS. (a) The board, in collaboration with eligible institutions, the Texas Workforce Commission, and private employers, shall identify existing and develop new postsecondary industry certifications or other workforce credentials valued in high-demand occupations.

(b) The board, in consultation with eligible institutions, shall:

(1) identify postsecondary industry certifications or other workforce credentials developed or redesigned using grant funds under the program; and

(2) establish methods for collecting and reporting data related to the certifications or credentials identified under Subdivision (1).

(c) An eligible institution or a consortium of eligible institutions awarded a grant under this subchapter may recommend outcomes related to the achievement or development of postsecondary industry certifications or other workforce credentials identified under this section to be considered by the board for inclusion in the state's long-range master plan for higher education developed under Section 61.051.

(d) In devising its funding formulas and making its recommendations to the legislature relating to institutional appropriations of funds for eligible institutions under Section 61.059, the board shall incorporate the consideration of the achievement or development of postsecondary industry certifications and other workforce credentials identified under this section.

Sec. 61.885. GRANTS, GIFTS, AND DONATIONS. The board may solicit, accept, and spend grants, gifts, and donations from any public or private source for the purposes of this subchapter.

Sec. 61.886. RULES. The board shall adopt rules for the administration of this subchapter, including rules requiring eligible institutions awarded a grant under this subchapter to report necessary information to the board.

SECTION 2. (a) The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board shall adopt rules to administer Subchapter T-2, Chapter 61, Education Code, as added by this Act, as soon as practicable after the effective date of this Act.

(b) The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board shall award grants under Subchapter T-2, Chapter 61, Education Code, as added by this Act, beginning with the 2021 fall semester.

SECTION 3. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this Act takes effect September 1, 2021.