1-1     By:  Solis (Senate Sponsor - Van de Putte)            H.B. No. 2327
 1-2           (In the Senate - Received from the House April 30, 2001;
 1-3     May 1, 2001, read first time and referred to Committee on Business
 1-4     and Commerce; May 10, 2001, reported favorably by the following
 1-5     vote:  Yeas 7, Nays 0; May 10, 2001, sent to printer.)
 1-6                            A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 1-7                                   AN ACT
 1-8     relating to the operation, funding, and assessment of local
 1-9     workforce development boards.
1-10           BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
1-11           SECTION 1. Section 302.043, Labor Code, is amended by adding
1-12     Subsection (d) to read as follows:
1-13           (d)  The training under this section must include training
1-14     for local workforce development board members and board employees
1-15     regarding the collection and analysis of data in the commission's
1-16     reporting and information system for performance reports.
1-17           SECTION 2. Subchapter C, Chapter 302, Labor Code, is amended
1-18     by adding Sections 302.044, 302.045, and 302.046 to read as
1-19     follows:
1-20           Sec. 302.044.  OUTREACH ACTIVITIES. The commission shall
1-21     require that local workforce development boards participate in
1-22     outreach activities provided by the commission that are designed by
1-23     the commission to allow board members and employees to become more
1-24     proficient in the administration and operation of local workforce
1-25     development activities.  The commission shall adopt policies
1-26     establishing the number of outreach activities in which a board is
1-27     required to participate.
1-28           Sec. 302.045.  SANCTIONS PLAN. The commission shall adopt a
1-29     detailed and understandable plan to be used by local workforce
1-30     development boards in the implementation of the sanction process.
1-31     The plan adopted under this section must include:
1-32                 (1)  a requirement that the commission provide
1-33     technical assistance to the boards in avoiding or responding to
1-34     sanctions; and
1-35                 (2)  specific provisions regarding the time in which a
1-36     board is to be allowed to address concerns and improve the board's
1-37     performance.
1-38           Sec. 302.046.  PLAN REGARDING LACK OF SERVICE PROVIDERS. (a)
1-39     The commission shall adopt a plan to address the lack of service
1-40     providers in specific local workforce development areas.
1-41           (b)  The plan adopted under this section must include
1-42     provisions:
1-43                 (1)  for offering incentives to attract exceptional
1-44     service providers and to encourage those providers to cooperate and
1-45     assist in improving the practices of other providers;
1-46                 (2)  relating to the imposition of sanctions by a board
1-47     against a service provider; and
1-48                 (3)  requiring, under certain circumstances, the
1-49     commission to assist in providing services until a provider is
1-50     designated.
1-51           SECTION 3. Subchapter D, Chapter 302, Labor Code, is amended
1-52     by adding Section 302.064 to read as follows:
1-53           Sec. 302.064.  COLLABORATION WITH LOCAL BOARDS. (a)  The
1-54     commission shall collaborate with local workforce development
1-55     boards when determining the use of funds at the local level.
1-56           (b)  The commission shall develop funding guidelines and
1-57     strategies allowing boards to exercise flexibility in identifying
1-58     and addressing the needs of persons who live in remote areas or who
1-59     face other barriers to employment.
1-60           SECTION 4. (a)  This Act takes effect September 1, 2001.
1-61           (b)  The Texas Workforce Commission shall evaluate and
1-62     adjust, if necessary, the use of the commission's full-time
1-63     employees in providing assistance to local workforce development
1-64     boards.  In attempting to provide more assistance to local boards,
 2-1     the commission shall emphasize providing assistance in performance
 2-2     measurement, financial management, child-care services, and
 2-3     contract management.
 2-4           (c)  The Texas Workforce Commission and the Legislative
 2-5     Budget Board shall review and, if necessary, adjust the performance
 2-6     measurements used for local workforce development boards so that
 2-7     the measurements do not hinder the ability of the boards to perform
 2-8     their duties.  The performance measurements must be directed to
 2-9     encourage the boards to assist clients in attaining sustainable
2-10     employment with wages that promote self-sufficiency for clients and
2-11     their families.
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