By McClendon                                           H.B. No. 494
         77R2046 JMG-F                           
                                A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 1-1                                   AN ACT
 1-2     relating to the authority of certain 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)  This section applies only to a municipality located in a
1-10     county with a population of less than 1.8 million.
1-11           (b)  In addition to any other economic planning and
1-12     development program authorized by this subtitle,  a municipality
1-13     may also provide for the establishment, administration, and support
1-14     of:
1-15                 (1)  long-term job training programs, including
1-16     in-training support service grants;
1-17                 (2)  college scholarship programs for local public high
1-18     school students;
1-19                 (3)  after school programs of learning and enrichment
1-20     activities for local public elementary and middle school students;
1-21                 (4)  early childhood development programs, including a
1-22     program to assist in life skills education; and
1-23                 (5)  comprehensive literacy programs, including
1-24     accelerated programs and programs that serve the local community.
 2-1           (c)  A municipality by ordinance shall establish criteria for
 2-2     the award of funds for a program established under this section.
 2-3           (d)  In establishing a program, a municipality shall describe
 2-4     the public purpose for the program and how the program will promote
 2-5     state or local economic development or stimulate business or
 2-6     commercial activity in the municipality.
 2-7           (e)  Funds or any method of funding that may be used for
 2-8     another program in this subtitle may also be used for a program
 2-9     administered under this section.
2-10           (f)  Funds or any method of funding that may be used to build
2-11     a venue under Chapter 334 or 335, Local Government Code, or that
2-12     have been used under another law to build an arena, coliseum,
2-13     stadium, or other similar facility may also be used for a program
2-14     administered under this section.
2-15           SECTION 2. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives a
2-16     vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
2-17     provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this
2-18     Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
2-19     Act takes effect September 1, 2001.