AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
Countless Texas veterans receive top-level training in the military, but have a hard time getting college credit for their knowledge and skills when they return to civilian life. The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) is working with the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) and community colleges on a plan to offer veterans credit for their skills and experience.
S.B. 1736 formalizes the current initiative between TWC and THECB to develop a model for transfer methods that would maximize academic credit awarded by institutions of higher education to veterans for military experience. S.B. 1736 also requires that by November 1, 2012, TWC and THECB submit to the governor and the legislature a report on best practices for college credit for military members.
As proposed, S.B. 1736 amends current law relating to the establishment of the College Credit for Heroes program.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
Rulemaking authority is expressly granted to the Texas Workforce Commission in SECTION 1 (Section 302.0031, Labor Code) of this bill.
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Subchapter A, Chapter 302, Labor Code, is amended by adding Section 302.0031, as follows:
Sec. 302.0031. COLLEGE CREDIT FOR HEROES PROGRAM. (a) Defines, in this section, "institution of higher education."
(b) Requires the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) to establish and administer the College Credit for Heroes demonstration program to identify, develop, and support methods to maximize academic credit awarded by institutions of higher education to veterans and military servicemembers for military experience, education, and training obtained during military service in order to expedite the entry of veterans and military servicemembers into the workforce.
(c) Requires TWC to work cooperatively with other state agencies, including the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB), public junior colleges, and other institutions of higher education to accomplish the purposes of this section.
(d) Authorizes TWC to award grants to state, local, or private entities that perform activities related to the purposes of this section.
(e) Requires TWC to administer the program using money previously appropriated to TWC or received from federal or other sources.
(f) Authorizes TWC to adopt rules as necessary for the administration of this section.
(g) Requires TWC, not later than November 1, 2012, after consultation with THECB, to report to the legislature and the governor on the results of any grants awarded under this section, the best practices for veterans and military servicemembers to achieve maximum academic credit at institutions of higher education for military experience, education, and training obtained during military service, measures needed to facilitate the award of academic credit by institutions of higher education for military experience, education, and training obtained during military service; and other related measures needed to facilitate the entry of trained, qualified veterans and military servicemembers into the workforce.
(h) Provides that this subsection and Subsection (g) expire January 1, 2013.
SECTION 2. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2011.