BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center C.S.S.B. 1674
Committee Report (Substituted)
AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
The purpose of this bill is to streamline the Texas Career Opportunity Grant Program aimed at low-income career school students. The grant, if funded in the appropriations bill this session, would 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. A high percentage of graduates are securing jobs relevant to their training after receiving an efficient, targeted education that emphasizes skills truly needed in the workplace. In the 77th Legislature, Regular Session, 2001, a bill provided for the Texas Career Opportunity Grant for disadvantaged career school students. The bill passed, but funding never came. The program was placed at the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) because, at the time, more career school programs were overseen by TWC than the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB). That is no longer the case. When students and high school counselors seek grant opportunities and other financial aid, they generally go to THECB, not TWC.
C.S.S.B. 1674 amends current law relating to the coordination and administration of the Texas Career Opportunity Grant Program.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Subchapter A, Chapter 305, Labor Code, by adding Section 305.003, as follows:
Sec. 305.003. MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING. Requires the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) and the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) to enter into a memorandum of understanding for the coordination and administration of the grant program established under Subchapter B (Grant Program). Authorizes functions assigned to TWC under this chapter to be assigned to THECB pursuant to the memorandum of understanding.
SECTION 2. Provides that the transfer to THECB of any functions relating to the administration of the Texas Career Opportunity Grant Program pursuant to a memorandum of understanding entered into under Section 305.003, Labor Code, as added by this Act, applies beginning with grants awarded for the 2010 fall semester. Provides that grants awarded for an academic period before that semester are covered by the law in effect immediately before the effective date of this Act, and the former law is continued in effect for that purpose.
SECTION 3. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2009.