BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center C.S.S.B. 108
81R25154 ALB-D By: Ellis et al.
Committee Report (Substituted)
AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
There is a tremendous economic opportunity from renewable energy and energy efficiency in Texas. According to the Governor's State Energy Plan, two-thirds of jobs created in the energy sector over the next decade will be in the area of renewable energy. There is likely to be an even larger opportunity from energy efficiency. Green jobs are defined as jobs involving energy-efficient construction or retrofitting, renewable electric power, biofuels, recycling, energy efficiency assessments, manufacturing of sustainable products, and manufacturing using sustainable processes.
C.S.S.B. 108 relates to the establishment and funding of a green job skills training program.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
Rulemaking authority is expressly granted to the Texas Workforce Commission in SECTION 1 (Section 303A.037, Government Code) and SECTION 2 of this bill.
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Subtitle B, Title 4, Labor Code, by adding Chapter 303A, as follows:
CHAPTER 303A. GREEN JOB SKILLS DEVELOPMENT FUND AND TRAINING PROGRAM
SUBCHAPTER A. GENERAL PROVISIONS
Sec. 303A.001. PURPOSE. Sets forth the purpose of this chapter.
Sec. 303A.002. DEFINITIONS. Defines "development fund," "green job," and "recycle."
[Reserves Sections 303A.003-303A.020 for expansion.]
SUBCHAPTER B. GREEN JOB SKILLS DEVELOPMENT FUND
Sec. 303A.021. TEXAS GREEN JOB SKILLS DEVELOPMENT FUND. (a) Provides that the Texas green job skills development fund (development fund) is an account in the general revenue fund. Provides that the account is composed of legislative appropriations; gifts, grants, donations, and matching funds received under Subsection (b); and other money required by law to be deposited into the account.
(b) Authorizes the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) to solicit and accept gifts, grants, and donations of money from certain sources to be used for the purpose of this subchapter.
(c) Requires income from the money in the account to be credited to the account.
(d) Authorizes money in the development fund to be used only for the purposes of this chapter.
[Reserves Sections 303A.022-303A.030 for expansion.]
SUBCHAPTER C. GREEN JOB SKILLS GRANT PROGRAM
Sec. 303A.031. ESTABLISHMENT OF GREEN JOB SKILLS GRANT PROGRAM. Requires TWC to establish a green job skills grant program, funded by the development fund under Section 303A.021, through which TWC is authorized to award grants for the implementation, expansion, and operation of green job skills training programs.
Sec. 303A.032. GRANT PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS. (a) Requires that a training program funded through a grant awarded under this subchapter meet certain requirements and provide certain services.
(b) Requires that a training program awarded a grant under this subchapter target a population of eligible individuals for training that includes certain workers, veterans, and individuals.
(c) Authorizes a training program to receive funding under this chapter for a period of no longer than three years.
(d) Authorizes a training program to use grant funds for support services, including basic skills, literacy, GED, English as a second language, and job readiness training, career guidance, and referral services.
(e) Requires that a percentage of the grant, to be determined by TWC, be devoted to administrative costs, costs related to hiring instructors and purchasing equipment, and tuition assistance.
Sec. 303A.033. APPLICATION. (a) Authorizes a regional partnership, as described by Section 303A.032, to apply for a grant under this subchapter in the manner prescribed by TWC.
(b) Requires that the grant application require the applicant to provide to TWC the applicant's plan to continue to operate the training program after the grant expires.
Sec. 303A.034. ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATIONS IN AWARDING GRANTS. (a) Requires TWC, in addition to the factors described by Sections 303A.032 and 303A.033, in determining whether to award a grant to an applicant under this chapter, to give preference to a training program that provides certification and a career advancement mechanism to a worker who receives green job skills training under the program and leverages additional public and private resources to fund the program, including cash or in-kind matches.
(b) Requires that grants be awarded in a manner that ensures geographic diversity.
Sec. 303A.035. RESERVATION FOR CERTAIN PROGRAMS. Requires that 20 percent of the funds available for grant programs under this chapter be reserved for job skills training programs that serve the unemployed and individuals whose incomes are at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty level.
Sec. 303A.036. REPORT. (a) Requires the grant recipient, not later than the 30th day after the date funding for a grant under this chapter ends, to submit a report to TWC that contains certain information.
(b) Requires TWC, not later than October 1 of each even-numbered year, to submit a report to the governor, the lieutenant governor, and the speaker of the house of representatives that includes a summary of all information submitted under Subsection (a).
Sec. 303A.037. STANDARDS. Requires TWC by rule to adopt standards for a green job skills training program awarded a grant under this subchapter.
SECTION 2. Requires TWC to adopt rules for the program under Chapter 303A, Labor Code, as added by this Act, not later than March 1, 2010.
SECTION 3. Provides that implementation of this program under Chapter 303A, Labor Code, as added by this Act, is contingent upon a legislative appropriation specifically for that purpose. Authorizes, but does not require, TWC to implement Chapter 303A, Labor Code, using other available appropriations, if no specific appropriation is made.
SECTION 4. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2009.