By: Alvarado, J. Davis of Harris, Munoz, Jr. H.B. No. 1296

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to information regarding postsecondary education and career opportunities and workforce needs in this state.

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

SECTION 1. Subchapter B, Chapter 7, Education Code, is amended by adding Section 7.040 to read as follows:

Sec. 7.040. POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION AND CAREER OPPORTUNITIES. (a) The agency shall prepare information comparing institutions of higher education in this state and post the information on the agency's Internet website. Information prepared under this section shall be given to a public school student who requests the information. The information shall:

(1) identify postsecondary education and career opportunities, including information that states the benefits of four-year and two-year higher education programs, postsecondary technical education, skilled workforce careers, and career education programs;

(2) compare each institution of higher education with other institutions regarding:

(A) the relative cost of tuition;

(B) the retention rate of students;

(C) the graduation rate of students;

(D) the average student debt;

(E) the loan repayment rate of students; and

(F) the employment rate of students;

(3) identify the state's future workforce needs, as projected by the Texas Workforce Commission; and

(4) include annual wage information for the top 10 highest demand jobs in this state, as identified by the Texas Workforce Commission.

(b) The agency shall collaborate with the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board and the Texas Workforce Commission to obtain the information required under Subsection (a). The agency shall incorporate the use of existing materials and develop new materials to be provided to counselors, students, and parents regarding institutions of higher education.

SECTION 2. Subchapter C, Chapter 61, Education Code, is amended by adding Section 61.0907 to read as follows:

Sec. 61.0907. REPORT PROJECTING WORKFORCE NEEDS. (a) The board, in conjunction with the Texas Workforce Commission and in consultation with any other state agency as requested by the board or the commission, shall collect relevant information and make five-year projections concerning:

(1) the workforce needs of this state; and

(2) the educational attainment and training of persons projected to enter the state workforce.

(b) Based on the projections made under Subsection (a), the board shall identify the types and levels of education, training, and skills that are needed to meet the state's future workforce needs and shall make recommendations concerning the expansion of existing programs or the development of new programs at public and private postsecondary educational institutions in this state as necessary to meet the projected workforce needs.

(c) A postsecondary educational institution may use the recommendations made under Subsection (b) in planning for degree programs, coursework offerings, and training programs.

(d) Not later than February 1, 2015, the board shall prepare and submit electronically to each standing legislative committee with primary jurisdiction over higher education or workforce development, each public and private postsecondary educational institution in this state, and the Texas Education Agency a report of the information collected and analyzed under this section, including recommendations of the board for programming at postsecondary educational institutions. The board may provide subsequent updates to the report as the board considers necessary.

(e) This section expires August 31, 2017.

SECTION 3. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this Act takes effect September 1, 2013.