By Chavez                                             H.B. No. 2593
         77R7775 JMM-D                           
                                A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 1-1                                   AN ACT
 1-2     relating to the establishment of a pilot program by the Texas
 1-3     Workforce Commission for technology training for certain persons.
 1-4           BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
 1-5           SECTION 1. Subchapter D, Chapter 301, Labor Code, is amended
 1-6     by adding Section 301.0674 to read as follows:
 1-7           Sec. 301.0674.  PILOT PROGRAM:  TECHNOLOGY TRAINING. (a)  The
 1-8     commission by rule shall establish and implement a pilot program
 1-9     under which the commission shall provide or, through competitive
1-10     grants, contract with other persons to provide adult technology
1-11     training for residents of the state who:
1-12                 (1)  are first-generation citizens of the United
1-13     States;
1-14                 (2)  are displaced workers as a result of the North
1-15     American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) or other changes in the state
1-16     economy; or
1-17                 (3)  do not speak English as their primary language.
1-18           (b)  The pilot program under this section shall be
1-19     established to provide training in an urban community, a rural
1-20     community, and a community in the region of the state that borders
1-21     the United Mexican States.
1-22           (c)  The commission may obtain funds for the pilot program
1-23     under this section from money appropriated to the commission and,
1-24     to the extent possible, from the telecommunications infrastructure
 2-1     fund, the Texas Education Agency, the federal government, and
 2-2     private corporate partners.
 2-3           (d)  Not later than December 1 of each year, the commission
 2-4     shall submit a report to the governor and the members of the
 2-5     legislature regarding the status and results of the pilot program.
 2-6           (e)  This section expires September 1, 2005.
 2-7           SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2001.