SRC-AMY H.B. 3179 78(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center H.B. 3179 78R6728 PB-DBy: Homer (Van de Putte) Business & Commerce 5/12/2003 Engrossed DIGEST AND PURPOSE Current law establishing local workforce boards sets forth several requirements, among which are methods for selecting private sector board members and requirements that the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) give prior approval for local initiatives and demonstration projects. This is contrary to TWC's policy of giving boards the maximum amount of local control, and in some instances contradicts existing law. H.B. 3179 removes the requirement concerning the number of required board nominations in the case of vacancies on the local workforce development board. This bill also repeals a provision allowing local workforce development boards to have demonstration projects for local initiatives only after TWC approval, as well as the revolving account to fund these demonstration projects and also repeals a requirement that the local workforce development boards can only create programs for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families clients after approval by TWC. H.B. 3179 also repeals a requirement that local workforce development boards allocate a portion of their child care funds for quality improvements to a competitive procurement process. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Section 2308.256(b), Government Code, to delete text referring to the number of nominations. SECTION 2. Repealer: Sections 2308.3036 (Demonstration Projects), 2308.3037 (Demonstration Project Account), and 2308.3038 (Certain Programs for TANF Recipients), Government Code. SECTION 3. (a) Abolishes the local workforce development board demonstration program established under Section 2308.3036 (Demonstration Projects) on the effective date of this Act. (b) Provides that all unobligated and unexpended balances in the local workforce development board demonstration project fund account created under Section 2308.3037 (Demonstration Project Account), as that section existed immediately before repeal by this Act, are transferred to the general revenue fund on the effective date of this Act. SECTION 4. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2003.