AN ACT 1-1 relating to the identification of technical education programs that 1-2 are needed to maintain and improve the state's economic and 1-3 technological competitiveness. 1-4 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: 1-5 SECTION 1. Subchapter C, Chapter 135, Education Code, is 1-6 amended by adding Section 135.61 to read as follows: 1-7 Sec. 135.61. FORECASTING TECHNICAL EDUCATION PROGRAM NEEDS. 1-8 (a) The board shall develop and administer a program to forecast 1-9 the types of technical education programs that are needed to 1-10 maintain and improve the state's economic and technological 1-11 competitiveness. 1-12 (b) The program shall review the state's business and 1-13 industry workforce needs for trained and educated workers and 1-14 suggest specific technical education programs in specific areas 1-15 that are needed to ensure or that would enhance the state's 1-16 economic and technological competitiveness. The board may 1-17 recommend the creation of new technical education programs or new 1-18 methods of delivering technical education programs. 1-19 (c) The board shall provide information and recommendations 1-20 developed under the program to any institution of higher education, 1-21 as defined by Section 61.003, that: 1-22 (1) provides technical education programs; or 1-23 (2) the board determines should offer technical 1-24 education programs for the purpose of Subsection (a). 2-1 SECTION 2. The importance of this legislation and the 2-2 crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an 2-3 emergency and an imperative public necessity that the 2-4 constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several 2-5 days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended, 2-6 and that this Act take effect and be in force from and after its 2-7 passage, and it is so enacted. _______________________________ _______________________________ President of the Senate Speaker of the House I hereby certify that S.B. No. 1819 passed the Senate on May 17, 1999, by the following vote: Yeas 30, Nays 0. _______________________________ Secretary of the Senate I hereby certify that S.B. No. 1819 passed the House on May 25, 1999, by the following vote: Yeas 145, Nays 0, two present not voting. _______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House Approved: _______________________________ Date _______________________________ Governor