BILL ANALYSIS

C.S.H.B. 1192

By: Blanco

Higher Education

Committee Report (Substituted)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Interested parties suggest that expanding the college credit for heroes program to lower-division public institutions of higher education offering degrees in certain fields would help veterans complete their educations and enter high-demand labor markets. C.S.H.B. 1192 seeks to provide for that expansion.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that rulemaking authority is expressly granted to the Texas Workforce Commission in SECTION 1 of this bill.

ANALYSIS

C.S.H.B. 1192 amends the Labor Code to require the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) to administer the college credit for heroes program at each lower-division institution of higher education that offers a degree program in the field of allied health or in a closely related field, as determined by the TWC in consultation with the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board for purposes of this requirement. The bill requires the TWC to establish by rule a procedure through which a lower-division institution of higher education may opt out of participating in the program. The bill defines "lower-division institution of higher education" as a public junior college, public state college, or public technical institute. The bill replaces the authorization for the TWC to adopt rules as necessary for the administration of provisions relating to the college credit for heroes program with a requirement that the TWC adopt such rules.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2017.

COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL AND SUBSTITUTE

While C.S.H.B. 1192 may differ from the original in minor or nonsubstantive ways, the following comparison is organized and formatted in a manner that indicates the substantial differences between the introduced and committee substitute versions of the bill.

INTRODUCED	HOUSE COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE
SECTION 1. Section 302.0031, Labor Code, is amended by amending Subsections (a) and (f) and adding Subsection (b-1) to read as follows: (a) In this section: (1) "Institution[, "institution] of higher education," "public junior college," "public state college," and "public technical institute" have [has] the meanings [meaning] assigned by Section 61.003, Education Code. (2) "Lower-division institution of higher education" means a public junior college, public state college, or public technical institute. (b-1) The commission shall administer the College Credit for Heroes program at each lower-division institution of higher education that offers a degree program in the field of applied science or in a closely related field, as determined by the commission in consultation with the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board for purposes of this subsection. The commission by rule shall establish a procedure through which a lower-division institution of higher education described by this subsection may opt out of participating in the program. (f) The commission shall [may] adopt rules as necessary for the administration of this section.	SECTION 1. Section 302.0031, Labor Code, is amended by amending Subsections (a) and (f) and adding Subsection (b-1) to read as follows: (a) In this section: (1) "Institution[, "institution] of higher education," "public junior college," "public state college," and "public technical institute" have [has] the meanings [meaning] assigned by Section 61.003, Education Code. (2) "Lower-division institution of higher education" means a public junior college, public state college, or public technical institute. (b-1) The commission shall administer the College Credit for Heroes program at each lower-division institution of higher education that offers a degree program in the field of allied health or in a closely related field, as determined by the commission in consultation with the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board for purposes of this subsection. The commission by rule shall establish a procedure through which a lower-division institution of higher education described by this subsection may opt out of participating in the program. (f) The commission shall [may] adopt rules as necessary for the administration of this section.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2017.	SECTION 2. Same as introduced version.