BILL ANALYSIS

C.S.H.B. 3519

By: Branch

Technology, Economic Development & Workforce

Committee Report (Substituted)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

In 2001, the 77th Legislature, Regular Session, enacted S.B. 554 to establish the Texas Career Opportunity Grant Program for disadvantaged career school students. This grant program is designed to provide access to higher education and job training for students earning degrees, certificates, or diplomas in high-demand areas, such as information technology and health care. The program was intended to be administered by the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) because at the time the bill was enacted, more career school programs were overseen by TWC than by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. That is no longer the case. When students and high school counselors seek grant opportunities and other financial aid, they often turn to the coordinating board rather than TWC for guidance.

C.S.H.B. 3519 requires the two agencies to enter into a memorandum of understanding that outlines the coordination, administration, and assignment of functions for the Texas Career Opportunity Grant Program. In doing so, the two agencies can coordinate their efforts to market the grants to the students who need them.

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

C.S.H.B. 3519 amends the Labor Code to require the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) and the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to enter into a memorandum of understanding for the coordination and administration of the Texas Career Opportunity Grant Program. The bill authorizes program functions assigned to TWC to be assigned to the coordinating board pursuant to the memorandum of understanding. The bill provides that the transfer to the board of any functions relating to the administration of the grant program applies beginning with grants awarded for the 2010 fall semester.

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or, if the act does not receive the necessary vote, the act takes effect September 1, 2009.

COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL AND SUBSTITUTE

C.S.H.B. 3519 adds a provision not in the original to specify that the transfer to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board of any functions relating to the administration of the Texas Career Opportunity Grant Program pursuant to the memorandum of understanding applies beginning with grants awarded for the 2010 fall semester.