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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the continuation and functions of the Texas Workforce |
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Investment Council, including assumption of the duties of the Texas |
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Skill Standards Board. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 2308.005, Government Code, is amended to |
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read as follows: |
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Sec. 2308.005. APPLICATION OF SUNSET ACT. The Texas |
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Workforce Investment Council is subject to Chapter 325 (Texas |
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Sunset Act). Unless continued in existence as provided by that |
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chapter, the council is abolished September 1, 2027 [2015]. The |
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council shall be reviewed during the period in which the Texas |
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Workforce Commission is reviewed. |
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SECTION 2. Subchapter C, Chapter 2308, Government Code, is |
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amended by adding Section 2308.109 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 2308.109. DUTY TO DEVELOP SKILL STANDARDS. (a) The |
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council shall provide advice to the governor and the legislature on |
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the development of a statewide system of industry-defined and |
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industry-recognized skill standards and credentials for all major |
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skilled occupations that: |
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(1) provide strong employment and earnings |
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opportunities in this state; and |
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(2) require less than a baccalaureate degree. |
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(b) The council shall: |
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(1) validate and recognize nationally established |
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skill standards to guide curriculum development, training, |
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assessment, and certification of workforce skills; |
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(2) convene industry groups to develop skill standards |
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and certification procedures for industries and occupations in |
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which standards have not been established or adopted and recognize |
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the skill standards and certification procedures; |
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(3) review the standards developed by other states and |
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foreign countries and enter into agreements for mutual recognition |
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of standards and credentials to enhance portability of skills; and |
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(4) promote the use of standards and credentials among |
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employers. |
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(c) The council shall: |
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(1) report on the council's duties under this section |
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to the governor; and |
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(2) provide annual reports on the council's duties |
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under this section to the governor, the division, and the |
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legislature. |
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SECTION 3. Subchapter H, Chapter 2308, Government Code, is |
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repealed. |
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SECTION 4. The Texas Skill Standards Board is abolished. |
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All powers and duties of the Texas Skill Standards Board are |
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transferred to the Texas Workforce Investment Council. |
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SECTION 5. This Act takes effect September 1, 2015. |
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* * * * * |