LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD
                          Austin, Texas

                           FISCAL NOTE
                       74th Regular Session

                          April 3, 1995



 TO:     Honorable Rene O. Oliveira, Chair      IN RE:  House Bill No. 1349
         Committee on Economic Development              By: Oliveira
         House of Representatives
         Austin, Texas






FROM: John Keel, Director

In response to your request for a Fiscal Note on House Bill No.
1349 (Relating to the consolidation of certain programs regarding
job training, labor, and employment, the creation of a statewide
workforce development system, and the creation and operation of
the Texas Workforce Development Department.) this office has
determined the following:

The bill would create the Texas Workforce Development Department
(TWDD) to administer workforce training and service by
consolidating various state and federal funded employment, job
training, and education programs into one department.  The bill
would require the newly appointed TWDD commissioner to develop a
plan to integrate the administrative functions of the programs
and submit the plan to the Governor, the Legislature, and the
Texas Council on Workforce and Economic Competitiveness by
December 1, 1996.

The bill would consolidate 21 programs that are currently the
responsibility of eight different state agencies.  The bill would
allow the funding appropriated for these programs to be moved
from the different agency budgets to the TWDD.  The bill would
allow the Commissioner to obligate money from the Smart Jobs Fund
and authorize the creation of the Skill Development Fund.

TWDD would be headed by a commissioner recommended by the Texas
Employment Commission, appointed by the Governor, and confirmed
by the Senate to a two-year term.  The initial term of the TWDD
commissioner would expire February 1, 1997.    




The fiscal implication to the State or units of local government 
cannot be determined.


Source:   Comptroller of Public Accounts, Office of the Governor,

              Texas Employment Commission, Department of Human
Services,
              Department of Commerce, Central Education Agency -
Administration,
              Higher Education Coordinating Board
          LBB Staff: JK, CG, RR