HBA-BSM H.B. 2786 77(R) BILL ANALYSIS Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 2786 By: Noriega Economic Development 4/10/2001 Introduced BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE The Workforce Investment Act authorizes three funding streams for job training for dislocated workers, adults, and youths. Several state agencies administer block grants that fund various programs. The National Guard of Texas has expressed interest in contracting with the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) to sponsor a new drug demand reduction program titled "About Face." The program would deliver a life skills curriculum to financially disadvantaged teenagers between the ages of 13 and 17 whose parents are receiving public assistance. The National Guard of Texas believes this program will help the youth of Texas to become successfully employed and drug free. House Bill 2786 requires the division workforce development of the Texas Workforce Commission to develop contracts between the TWC, local workforce boards, and the Texas National Guard to establish the youth About Face and adult Forward March programs. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution. ANALYSIS House Bill 2786 amends the Labor Code to require the division of workforce development of the Texas Workforce Commission to the extent permitted under federal law to coordinate the implementation of the Texas National Guard's youth About Face programs and adult Forward March programs through local workforce development boards. H.B. 2786 amends the Government Code to require each career development center established by a local workforce development board in cooperation with the Texas National Guard to implement the Texas National Guard's youth About Face programs and adult Forward March programs by: _acting as fiscal agent for activities under the programs; _determining eligibility for participation in the programs and referring eligible individuals to the Texas National Guard for participation in the programs; and _processing reports required by the programs. EFFECTIVE DATE On passage, or if the Act does not receive the necessary vote, the Act takes effect September 1, 2001.