SRC-JEC H.B. 2975 78(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   H.B. 2975
78R9576 KSD-DBy: Chavez (Lucio)
International Relations and Trade
5/10/2003
Engrossed


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

The 77th Texas Legislature authorized the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC)
to establish a technology training pilot program to assist workers
displaced by international trade or other state economic programs. The
pilot program, implemented in El Paso County, focused on computer-related
jobs and developed a successful curriculum.  H.B. 2975 authorizes TWC to
establish a pilot program using the curriculum developed for the El Paso
program for workers along the Texas-Mexico border region. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

Rulemaking authority is expressly granted to the Texas Workforce
Commission in SECTION  1 (Section 301.0675, Labor Code) of this bill. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Subchapter D, Chapter 301, Labor Code, by adding
Section 301.0675, as follows: 

Sec. 301.0675.  PILOT PROGRAM; TEXAS-MEXICO BORDER REGION TECHNOLOGY
TRAINING.  (a)  Defines "Texas-Mexico border region." 

(b)  Authorizes the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) by rule to establish
and implement a pilot program in the Texas-Mexico border region under
which TWC is authorized to competitively procure adult technology training
for residents of the state who are workers displaced as a result of the
trade dislocations or other changes in the state economy. 

(c)  Authorizes TWC, if it establishes a pilot program under this section,
to use certain resources, obtain certain funds, and collaborate with
certain entities. 

(d)  Requires TWC, not later than December 1, of each even-numbered year,
to submit to certain state officials a report regarding the status and
results of a pilot program established under this section. 

(e)  Provides that this section expires September 1, 2007.

SECTION 2.  Effective date:  upon passage or September 1, 2003.