BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 3818

By: Lozano

Public Education

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Concerns regarding worker shortages and gaps in workers' skill sets have prompted calls to provide more work-based learning opportunities, such as apprenticeships and internships. H.B. 3818 seeks to advance this workforce development strategy by creating a work-based learning task force to study ways of expanding such opportunities in Texas.  

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

H.B. 3818 amends the Education Code to establish the work-based learning task force to develop strategies for expanding and improving the delivery of work-based learning opportunities in Texas. The bill defines "work-based learning opportunity" to include a youth or adult apprenticeship or internship that provides paid work experience and corresponding classroom instruction, delivered in an employment relationship that both the business and worker intend to lead to an industry-recognized credential and full-time employment after completion of the program.

H.B. 3818 provides for the composition and appointment of the 18-member task force, the selection of a presiding officer, task force meetings, terms of service, the filling of vacancies, and compensation and reimbursement for task force members. The bill requires the task force to develop certain recommendations; develop certain critical guidance for local sector or industry partnerships; and identify any resources that are needed, and any current resources that could be redirected, to expand work-based learning opportunities in Texas. The bill authorizes the task force to solicit gifts, grants, and donations from any public or private source for use in carrying out its duties and requires the task force to consult with stakeholders in carrying out those duties.

H.B. 3818 requires the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC), the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, and the Texas Education Agency (TEA) to each provide necessary administrative and technical support for the activities of the task force. The bill requires the task force, not later than December 1, 2020, to submit a written report to the legislature, the TWC, the coordinating board, and TEA and sets out the contents of the report. The bill's provisions expire and the task force is abolished September 1, 2021.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2019.