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