BILL ANALYSIS
By: Kuempel
Committee Report (Substituted)
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE
Prior to the 78th legislature, learning and career centers were eligible for funding from local economic development corporations. Last session House Bill 2912 amended the Economic Development Act of 1979 by prohibiting economic development corporations from funding learning and career centers. These centers provide the opportunity to educate, train and empower citizens with limited education. Some programs offered at these centers include adult basic education, college or continuing education courses and entry or re-entry level workforce education. Community colleges will often provide these services; however, many rural areas do not have a local community college in close proximity.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.
ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Section 2(11), Development Corporation Act of 1979 (Article 5190.6, Vernon's Texas Civil Statutes) to allow economic development corporations to once again fund career centers when there is no community college in close proximity serving the area. The bill accomplishes this by expanding the definition of project to include expenditures found by the board of directors to be necessary for the operation of a career center or learning center if the area is not located in the taxing jurisdiction of a junior college district.
SECTION 2. Provides the effective date of this Act.
EFFECTIVE DATE
Upon passage, or, if the Act does not receive the necessary vote, the Act takes effect September 1, 2005.
COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL TO SUBSTITUTE
The substitute bill deletes the reference to "learning center" in SECTION 1, Section 2(11), Subsection (D).