BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 4054

By: Allen

Technology, Economic Development & Workforce

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Current law authorizes a state agency to contract with another state, local, or federal department, agency, or institution, including a state-supported college or university to train or educate its employees or may join in presenting a training or educational program.  Institutions of higher education may be able to provide quality training and education at a lower cost, but are not always used for such purposes.  

H.B. 4054 requires state agencies to use state institutions of higher education to train and educate agency employees, if the state institution of higher education is able to provide the required training and education at a comparable quality, lower cost, and in the same geographical area as the agencies' administrators or employees, amongst other specifications.

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

H.B. 4054 amends the Government Code to require a state agency to use an institution of higher education to provide training or education to its administrators and employees if the institution can provide the training or education at a comparable level of quality but at a lower cost to the agency; on the subject matter required by the state agency; in the geographic area in which the state agency administrator or employee is located; not later than the date the agency requires the training or education to be completed; and according to a schedule acceptable to the agency.  The bill defines "institution of higher education." The bill authorizes a state agency to use an institution of higher education to supplement or enhance the training or education provided by full-time state agency employees to the agency's other employees.  The bill prohibits a state agency from contracting with a private person to train or educate a state agency administrator or employee if the agency is required to use an institution or higher education to provide the training or education. 

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2009.