By Solis H.B. No. 3300
77R5631 KSD-D
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
1-1 AN ACT
1-2 relating to the adoption of the 21st Century Technology College and
1-3 Careers Act.
1-4 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
1-5 SECTION 1. Subtitle B, Title 4, Labor Code, is amended by
1-6 adding Chapter 315 to read as follows:
1-7 CHAPTER 315. COLLEGE AND CAREERS PILOT PROGRAM
1-8 Sec. 315.001. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the
1-9 21st Century Technology College and Careers Act.
1-10 Sec. 315.002. DEFINITIONS. In this chapter:
1-11 (1) "Educational institution" includes an institution
1-12 of higher education and a secondary school operated by a public
1-13 school district of this state.
1-14 (2) "Institution of higher education" has the meaning
1-15 assigned by Section 61.003, Education Code.
1-16 (3) "Participant" means a school district, institution
1-17 of higher education, business entity, chamber of commerce, industry
1-18 group, local workforce development board, tech-prep consortium,
1-19 labor organization, or other entity that participates in the
1-20 program established under this chapter.
1-21 (4) "Tech-prep consortium" has the meaning assigned by
1-22 Section 61.851, Education Code, as added by Chapter 1422, Acts of
1-23 the 76th Legislature, Regular Session, 1999.
1-24 Sec. 315.003. PILOT PROGRAM. (a) The commission shall
2-1 establish a pilot program to enhance public-private partnerships
2-2 and collaborative efforts to promote voluntary educational
2-3 improvement and workforce development opportunities for high school
2-4 and college students.
2-5 (b) The pilot program shall develop initiatives across the
2-6 state to improve the transition from educational institutions to
2-7 the workforce. The initiatives must include:
2-8 (1) student internships and work-based learning;
2-9 (2) use of labor market information to predict future
2-10 workforce opportunities;
2-11 (3) career awareness development;
2-12 (4) professional development and support of teachers
2-13 and counselors at educational institutions which may include
2-14 activities such as industry tours and teacher externships;
2-15 (5) student mentoring programs; and
2-16 (6) scholarship funding.
2-17 (c) The pilot program shall emphasize post-secondary
2-18 education and technology careers.
2-19 Sec. 315.004. ACTIVITIES OF PARTICIPANTS. Participants in
2-20 the pilot program shall provide students with opportunities to
2-21 apply their academic work to authentic problems outside of the
2-22 school environment. Special emphasis shall be given to
2-23 mathematics, science, engineering, and technology.
2-24 Sec. 315.005. FUNDING. The commission shall examine
2-25 possible funding sources for the operation of the pilot program on
2-26 a long-term basis. These sources may include:
2-27 (1) legislative appropriations;
3-1 (2) allocation of part of the smart jobs fund;
3-2 (3) compensatory education funds and career and
3-3 technology funds through the Texas Education Agency;
3-4 (4) discretionary funds from the commission, the Texas
3-5 Education Agency, the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board,
3-6 and other appropriate governmental entities;
3-7 (5) federal grants or other federal funding; and
3-8 (6) gifts, grants, or donations from the private
3-9 sector.
3-10 Sec. 315.006. REPORT. Not later than February 1, 2003, the
3-11 commission shall report to the governor, lieutenant governor, the
3-12 speaker of the house of representatives, and members of the 78th
3-13 Legislature regarding the implementation of the pilot program
3-14 established under this chapter. The report must be in writing and
3-15 must make specific recommendations regarding the long-term
3-16 operation of the program and sources of funding for the program.
3-17 Sec. 315.007. EXPIRATION. This chapter expires September 1,
3-18 2003.
3-19 SECTION 2. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
3-20 a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
3-21 provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this
3-22 Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
3-23 Act takes effect September 1, 2001.