BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 809

By: Davis, John

Economic & Small Business Development

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Public schools in Texas have made efforts to implement higher academic standards so that their students have the chance to succeed beyond high school, particularly for students planning to attend a four-year university. There are concerns, however, that there may be a lack of adequate information for students making post-graduation plans regarding available careers and the salaries such careers can generate. Interested parties note that the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) collects information on projected employment opportunities in Texas, and those parties further assert that such information should be disseminated to students. H.B. 809 seeks to establish a process whereby TWC provides such information to the Texas Education Agency, which then provides the information to school districts for use in planning and implementing career and technical education and training programs.

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. 809 amends the Labor Code to require the Texas Workforce Commission to provide the Texas Education Agency (TEA) with information at least each quarter regarding current and projected employment opportunities in Texas, disaggregated by county or other appropriate region. The bill requires TEA to provide the information to school districts for use in local planning and implementation of career and technical education and training programs.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2013.