BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 2588

By: Phelan

Defense & Veterans' Affairs

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

There are concerns that, while many skills learned during service in the military are similar to those needed in private industry, making a successful transition from the military into the civilian workforce can be difficult. H.B. 2588 seeks to address these concerns through the establishment of a grant program to facilitate the participation of certain veterans and military personnel in apprenticeship training programs.

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

H.B. 2588 amends the Labor Code to require the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) to develop and administer a program under which it may award grants to one or more nonprofit organizations that facilitate the participation in apprenticeship training programs of veterans and active-duty military service members who are transitioning into civilian employment. The bill limits the use of the grants to recruiting or assisting such veterans or service members to participate in an apprenticeship training program in Texas. The bill requires the TWC to adopt rules for the administration of the bill's provisions, including rules for verifying that state funds awarded through such a grant are being used appropriately.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2019.