82R5789 YDB-D

By: Allen H.B. No. 1337

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the use of state institutions of higher education to provide training to state agency employees.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Section 656.043, Government Code, is amended to read as follows:

Sec. 656.043. DEFINITIONS [DEFINITION]. In this subchapter:

(1) "Institution of higher education" has the meaning assigned by Section 61.003, Education Code.

(2) "State[, "state] agency" means a department, agency, or institution of this state, including an institution of higher education [as defined by Section 61.003, Education Code].

SECTION 2. Section 656.049, Government Code, is amended to read as follows:

Sec. 656.049. AUTHORITY TO CONTRACT. (a) A state agency may contract with another state, local, or federal department, agency, or institution, including a state-supported college or university, to train or educate its administrators and employees or may join in presenting a training or educational program.

(b) A state agency may not contract with a private person to train or educate a state agency administrator or employee if the agency is required under Section 656.050 to use an institution of higher education to provide the training or education.

SECTION 3. Subchapter C, Chapter 656, Government Code, is amended by adding Section 656.050 to read as follows:

Sec. 656.050. TRAINING PROVIDED BY INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION. (a) A state agency shall 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:

(1) at a comparable level of quality but at a lower cost to the agency;

(2) on the subject matter required by the state agency;

(3) in the geographic area in which the state agency administrator or employee is located;

(4) not later than the date the agency requires the training or education to be completed; and

(5) according to a schedule acceptable to the agency.

(b) A state agency may 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.

SECTION 4. Section 656.049, Government Code, as amended by this Act, applies only to a contract entered into on or after the effective date of this Act. A contract entered into before the effective date of this Act is covered by the law in effect when the contract was entered into, and the former law is continued in effect for that purpose.

SECTION 5. This Act takes effect September 1, 2011.