By: Creighton, Sparks S.B. No. 2029

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the administration of the Texas Innovative Adult Career Education (ACE) Grant Program by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.

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

SECTION 1. Section 136.001, Education Code, is amended by amending Subdivision (1) and adding Subdivision (1-a) to read as follows:

(1) "Coordinating board" means the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.

(1-a) "Nonprofit organization" means an organization exempt from federal income taxation under Section 501(a), Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as an organization described by Section 501(c)(3) of that code.

SECTION 2. Section 136.005(a), Education Code, is amended to read as follows:

(a) The coordinating board [grant administrator] shall establish and administer the Texas Innovative Adult Career Education (ACE) Grant Program to provide grants to:

(1) eligible nonprofit workforce intermediary and job training organizations; and

(2) eligible nonprofit organizations providing job training to veterans.

SECTION 3. Section 136.006, Education Code, is amended to read as follows:

Sec. 136.006. ELIGIBLE ORGANIZATIONS. (a) To be eligible for a grant under the program, a nonprofit workforce intermediary and job training organization must:

(1) apply to the coordinating board [grant administrator] in the manner prescribed by the coordinating board [grant administrator];

(2) provide to eligible low-income students, in partnership with public junior colleges, public state colleges, or public technical institutes:

(A) job training; and

(B) a continuum of services designed to move a program participant from application to employment, including outreach, assessment, case management, support services, and career placement;

(3) be governed by a board or other governing structure that includes recognized leaders of broad-based community organizations and executive-level or managerial-level members of the local business community;

(4) demonstrate to the satisfaction of the coordinating board [program advisory board] that the organization's program has achieved or will achieve the following measures of success among program participants:

(A) above-average completion of developmental education among participating public junior college, public state college, or public technical institute students;

(B) above-average persistence rates among participating public junior college, public state college, or public technical institute students;

(C) above-average certificate or degree completion rates by participating students within a three-year period compared to demographically comparable public junior college, public state college, and public technical institute students; and

(D) entry into careers with significantly higher earnings for program participants than previously achieved; and

(5) provide matching funds in accordance with rules adopted under this chapter.

(a-1) To be eligible for a grant under the program, a nonprofit organization providing job training services to veterans must:

(1) apply to the coordinating board [grant administrator] in the manner prescribed by the coordinating board [grant administrator];

(2) provide to veterans, in partnership with public junior colleges, public state colleges, or public technical institutes:

(A) job training; and

(B) a continuum of services designed to move a program participant from application to employment, including outreach, assessment, case management, support services, and career placement;

(3) be governed by a board or other governing structure that includes recognized leaders of broad-based community organizations and executive-level or managerial-level members of the local business community;

(4) demonstrate to the satisfaction of the coordinating board [program advisory board] that the organization's program has achieved or will achieve the following measures of success among program participants:

(A) the measures prescribed by Subsections (a)(4)(A)-(C);

(B) rapid attainment of civilian workforce credentials; and

(C) entry into careers with significantly higher earnings for program participants than previously achieved; and

(5) provide matching funds in accordance with rules adopted under this chapter.

(b) The matching funds required under Subsection (a)(5) or (a-1)(5) may be obtained from any source available to the organization, including in-kind contributions, community or foundation grants, individual contributions, and local governmental agency operating funds. The coordinating board [grant administrator] may adopt rules requiring an organization to demonstrate compliance with the matching funds requirement before the payment of the next installment under an awarded grant.

SECTION 4. Section 136.007, Education Code, is amended to read as follows:

Sec. 136.007. RULES. [(a)] The coordinating board [grant administrator] shall adopt rules as necessary for the administration of this chapter, including [in the manner provided by Chapter 2001, Government Code, for a state agency.

[(b) The grant administrator, with recommendations of the program advisory board, shall adopt] rules regarding eligibility, program tuition and fees, administrative costs, matching funds, and case management and other supports for the program. The rules may include provisions for the payment in periodic installments of grant awards.

SECTION 5. The following provisions of Chapter 136, Education Code, are repealed:

(1) Sections 136.002 and 136.004; and

(2) Section 136.005(a-1).

SECTION 6. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.