BILL ANALYSIS

C.S.H.B. 3511

By: VanDeaver

International Relations & Economic Development

Committee Report (Substituted)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Concerns have been raised regarding the sufficiency of the workforce talent pipeline in Texas. C.S.H.B. 3511 seeks to address these concerns by creating the Commission on Texas Workforce of the Future for purposes of improving the engagement of business and industry leaders, state agencies, public schools, and higher education partners to align the needs of the Texas economy with the efforts of state and local authorities in building a workforce talent pipeline.

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

ANALYSIS

C.S.H.B. 3511 amends the Education Code to establish the Commission on Texas Workforce of the Future to engage business, state agencies, and local workforce system partners in the efforts of state and local authorities to build the state's workforce talent pipeline. The bill requires the commission members to provide reliable and accurate data pertinent to college and career readiness, industry-based workforce credentials, associate and bachelor's degree programs, and high-demand industry jobs and careers.

C.S.H.B. 3511 provides for the composition of the 17-member commission, appointment of commission members, designation of a presiding officer, and reimbursement of member expenses. The bill requires Texas Education Agency (TEA) staff members to provide administrative support for the commission and requires funding for administrative and operational expenses to be provided by appropriation to TEA. The bill requires the commission to develop recommendations to address certain issues related to workforce development and the future of the state's workforce and requires the commission to establish one or more work groups for that purpose.  

C.S.H.B. 3511 requires the commission, not later than December 31, 2020, to prepare and deliver a report to the governor and the legislature that includes recommendations for statutory and regulatory changes to enhance workforce development and coordination and alignment between industry, public education, and higher education, including any adjustments to college and career pathway programs. The bill authorizes the commission to hold public meetings as needed to fulfill the commission's duties and subjects the commission to state public information law and state open meetings law. The bill's provisions expire and the commission is abolished on January 12, 2021.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2019.

COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL AND SUBSTITUTE

While C.S.H.B. 3511 may differ from the original in minor or nonsubstantive ways, the following summarizes the substantial differences between the introduced and committee substitute versions of the bill.

The substitute makes certain revisions to the composition of the commission with respect to members appointed by the governor, lieutenant governor, and the speaker of the house of representatives.

The substitute includes the following as additional issues that the commission's recommendations are required to address:

·       increasing the number of work-based learning opportunities in Texas and the availability of those opportunities; and

·       developing a comprehensive plan for phasing in an expansion of the adult high school and industry certification charter school program as a strategy for meeting industry needs for a sufficiently trained workforce within Texas.

The substitute changes an authorization for the commission to establish one or more work groups to a requirement to do so.