BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	H.B. 2729
85R11957 KJE-D	By: Lucio III (Miles)
	Education
	5/21/2017
	Engrossed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

Interested parties contend that too many career and technology education programs offer industry-based credentials or certificates in areas that are not relevant to workforce needs or that do not lead to middle- and high-wage jobs. H.B. 2729 ensures that public high school students in career and technology education programs have access to a coherent inventory of industry-recognized credentials and certificates that are aligned to state and regional workforce needs and serve as an entry point to middle- and high-wage jobs.

H.B. 2729 amends current law relating to an inventory of credentials and certificates that may be earned by a public high school student through a career and technology education program.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Subchapter F, Chapter 29, Education Code, by adding Section 29.189, as follows:

Sec. 29.189. INVENTORY OF CREDENTIALS AND CERTIFICATES. (a) Defines "commission" and "coordinating board."

(b) Requires the Texas Education Agency (TEA), the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB), and the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) to jointly develop and post on their respective Internet websites an inventory of industry-recognized credentials and certificates that may be earned by a public high school student through a career and technology education program that:

(1) are aligned to state and regional workforce needs; and

(2) serve as an entry point to middle- and high-wage jobs.

(c) Requires the inventory to include for each credential or certificate the associated career cluster, the awarding entity, the level of education required and any additional requirements for the credential or certificate, any fees for obtaining the credential or certificate, and the average wage or salary for jobs that require or prefer the credential or certificate.

(d) Requires TEA, THECB, and TWC, each year, to jointly review and, if necessary, update the inventory and provide a copy of the inventory to each school district and public institution of higher education that offers a career and technology education program to public high school students.

SECTION 2. Requires TEA, THECB, and TWC, not later than September 1, 2018, to jointly develop and post on their respective Internet websites the inventory required under Section 29.189, Education Code, as added by this Act.

SECTION 3. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2017.