By: Guillen, et al. (Senate Sponsor - Powell) H.B. No. 700

(In the Senate - Received from the House April 29, 2019; April 29, 2019, read first time and referred to Committee on Natural Resources & Economic Development; May 9, 2019, reported favorably by the following vote: Yeas 9, Nays 2; May 9, 2019, sent to printer.)

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the use of the skills development fund by certain entities.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Section 303.001(a), Labor Code, is amended to read as follows:

(a) The purpose of this chapter is to remove administrative barriers that impede the response of public community and technical colleges, community-based organizations, local workforce development boards, public libraries, and the Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service to industry and workforce training needs and to develop incentives for public community and technical colleges, community-based organizations, local workforce development boards, public libraries, and the Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service to provide customized assessment and training in a timely and efficient manner.

SECTION 2. Section 303.002(b), Labor Code, is amended to read as follows:

(b) A public community or technical college or the Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service may recover customized assessment and training costs incurred by the institution if:

(1) there is an actual or projected labor shortage in the occupation in which training is provided that is not being met by an existing institution or program in the area; and

(2) the wages at the time of job placement for individuals who successfully complete customized training at the public community or technical college or the Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service are equal to the prevailing wage for that occupation in the local labor market area.

SECTION 3. Sections 303.003(b), (f), (g), and (h), Labor Code, are amended to read as follows:

(b) The skills development fund may be used by public community and technical colleges, community-based organizations, local workforce development boards, public libraries, and the Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service as start-up or emergency funds for the following job-training purposes:

(1) developing customized training programs for businesses and trade unions; and

(2) sponsoring small and medium-sized business networks and consortiums.

(f) The Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service shall focus the service's training activities under this chapter on programs that:

(1) are statewide in nature; or

(2) are not available from a local junior college district, a local technical college, or a consortium of junior college districts.

(g) This section does not prohibit the Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service from participating in a consortium of junior college districts or with a technical college that provides training under this chapter.

(h) A community-based organization may apply for money to participate in a training program only in partnership with a community and technical college or the Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service. A community-based organization providing services regulated by the state shall provide evidence of any certification, license, or registration required by law.

SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2019.

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