C.S.H.B. 2975 78(R) BILL ANALYSIS C.S.H.B. 2975 By: Ch_vez Border and International Affairs Committee Report (Substituted) BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE House Bill 2593 (77th Session) authorized the Texas Workforce Commission (commission) to establish a technology training pilot program to assist workers displaced by international trade or other state economic changes. The pilot program was designed to prepare these displaced workers for computer-related occupations. The pilot program was implemented in El Paso County and developed a curriculum that has successfully trained many workers for computer-related jobs. This bill would authorize the commission to implement a pilot program, using the curriculum developed in the implementation of H.B. 2593 (77th Session), in the Texas-Mexico border region for workers displaced by trade dislocations or other changes in the state's economy. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the committee's opinion that this bill grants rulemaking authority to the Texas Workforce Commission in SECTION 1 ( 301.0675, Labor Code). ANALYSIS SECTION 1. C.S.H.B. 2975 amends the Labor Code to authorize the Texas Workforce Commission (commission) to establish and implement a Texas-Mexico border region technology training pilot program (pilot program) for residents who are workers displaced by trade dislocations or other changes in the state's economy. The bill sets forth provisions under which the commission, if it establishes a pilot program, may operate the pilot program. The bill requires the commission, not later than December 1 of each even-numbered year, to submit to the governor, the lieutenant governor, and the speaker of the house a report on the status and results of the pilot program. C.S.H.B. 2975 provides that the pilot program will expire on September 1, 2007. EFFECTIVE DATE On passage, or if it does not receive the necessary vote, this Act takes effect September 1, 2003. COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL TO SUBSTITUTE The committee substitute amends the original by making non-substantive technical corrections and by requiring, rather than authorizing, the commission to submit the report on the status and results of the program.