By McClendon                                            H.B. No. 34
         77R1130 JMG-F                           
                                A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 1-1                                   AN ACT
 1-2     relating to the authority of municipalities to use economic
 1-3     development funds to provide educational and job training
 1-4     opportunities.
 1-5           BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
 1-6           SECTION 1. Chapter 380, Local Government Code, is amended by
 1-7     adding Section 380.004 to read as follows:
 1-8           Sec. 380.004.  EDUCATIONAL AND JOB TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES.
 1-9     (a) In addition to any other economic planning and development
1-10     program authorized by this subtitle, a municipality may also
1-11     provide for the establishment, administration, and support of:
1-12                 (1)  long-term job training programs, including
1-13     in-training support service grants;
1-14                 (2)  college scholarship programs for local public high
1-15     school students;
1-16                 (3)  after school programs of learning and enrichment
1-17     activities for local public elementary and middle school students;
1-18                 (4)  early childhood development programs, including a
1-19     program to assist in life skills education; and
1-20                 (5)  comprehensive literacy programs, including
1-21     accelerated programs and programs that serve the local community.
1-22           (b)  A municipality by ordinance shall establish criteria for
1-23     the award of funds for a program established under this section.
1-24           (c)  In establishing a program, a municipality shall describe
 2-1     the public purpose for the program and how the program will promote
 2-2     state or local economic development or stimulate business or
 2-3     commercial activity in the municipality.
 2-4           (d)  Funds or any method of funding that may be used for
 2-5     another program in this subtitle may also be used for a program
 2-6     administered under this section.
 2-7           (e)  Funds or any method of funding that may be used to build
 2-8     a venue under Chapter 334 or 335, Local Government Code, or that
 2-9     have been used under another law to build an arena, coliseum,
2-10     stadium, or other similar facility may also be used for a program
2-11     administered under this section.
2-12           SECTION 2. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives a
2-13     vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
2-14     provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this
2-15     Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
2-16     Act takes effect September 1, 2001.