By:  Chavez                                                       H.B. No. 2975



A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the establishment of a Texas-Mexico border region 
technology training pilot program by the Texas Workforce 
Commission.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  Subchapter D, Chapter 301, Labor Code, is 
amended by adding Section 301.0675 to read as follows:
	Sec. 301.0675.  TEXAS-MEXICO BORDER REGION TECHNOLOGY 
TRAINING PILOT.  (a)  The commission may by rule establish and 
implement a pilot program under which the commission may 
competitively procure adult technology training for residents of 
the state who are displaced workers as a result of trade 
dislocations or other changes in the state economy.
	(b)  The pilot program under this section may be established 
to provide training in the Texas-Mexico border region as defined in 
Sec. 2056.002(e)(3), Government Code.
	(c)  The pilot program under this section may utilize 
existing state funded technology infrastructures to the extent 
possible.
	(d)  The pilot program under this section may utilize 
curriculum and instruction models developed by the commission to 
implement Sec. 301.0674.
	(e)  The pilot program under this section may serve the 
greatest number of individuals to the extent possible with 
available funds.
	(f)  The commission may obtain funds for the pilot program 
under this section, to the extent possible, from state, federal, or 
private funding sources.
	(g)  The commission may collaborate with appropriate federal 
and state agencies, and local workforce development boards to 
implement the pilot.
	(h)  Not later than December 1 of even numbered years, the 
commission may submit a report regarding the status and results of 
the pilot program to the governor, the lieutenant governor, and the 
speaker of the house.
	(i)  This section expires September 1, 2007.                            
	SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives 
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as 
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this 
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this 
Act takes effect September 1, 2003.