H.B. No. 3511

AN ACT

relating to the creation of the Commission on Texas Workforce of the Future.

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

SECTION 1. Chapter 29, Education Code, is amended by adding Subchapter Z-1 to read as follows:

SUBCHAPTER Z-1. COMMISSION ON TEXAS WORKFORCE OF THE FUTURE

Sec. 29.951. DEFINITION. In this subchapter, "commission" means the Commission on Texas Workforce of the Future.

Sec. 29.952. COMMISSION ON TEXAS WORKFORCE OF THE FUTURE. (a) The Commission on Texas Workforce of the Future is established 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.

(b) The commission members shall 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) The commission is composed of 17 members as follows:

(1) five members appointed by the governor;

(2) four members appointed by the lieutenant governor;

(3) four members appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives;

(4) the commissioner of higher education or the commissioner's designee;

(5) a commissioner of the Texas Workforce Commission appointed by the chair of the Texas Workforce Commission or the commissioner's designee;

(6) the commissioner or the commissioner's designee; and

(7) the chair of the Texas Economic Development Corporation.

(d) The members appointed by the governor must have an interest in the future of the state's workforce. At least one of the members appointed by the governor must be a member of a statewide labor federation. In appointing the members, the governor shall consider appointing a business leader representing each of the following industries:

(1) oil and gas;

(2) technology and manufacturing;

(3) health care;

(4) construction; and

(5) petrochemicals.

(e) The appointments made by the lieutenant governor must include:

(1) two members of the senate;

(2) an administrator in a kindergarten through 12th grade public school system or an elected member of the board of trustees of a school district; and

(3) the superintendent of an adult education program provided under an adult high school and industry certification charter school program under Section 29.259 or the superintendent's designee.

(f) The appointments made by the speaker of the house of representatives must include:

(1) two members of the house of representatives;

(2) a representative of a high school dropout recovery adult education program serving students who are at least 18 years of age and not older than 25 years of age or a public school superintendent who oversees a high school dropout recovery adult education program; and

(3) an administrator of a public community or technical college or a public university in this state.

(g) In making appointments under Subsection (c), the governor, the lieutenant governor, and the speaker of the house of representatives shall coordinate to ensure that the members they appoint reflect, to the extent possible, the ethnic and geographic diversity of this state.

Sec. 29.953. PRESIDING OFFICER. The governor shall designate the presiding officer of the commission. The presiding officer must be a business executive.

Sec. 29.954. COMPENSATION AND REIMBURSEMENT. A member of the commission is not entitled to compensation for service on the commission but is entitled to reimbursement for actual and necessary expenses incurred in performing commission duties.

Sec. 29.955. ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT AND FUNDING. (a) Staff members of the agency shall provide administrative support for the commission.

(b) Funding for the administrative and operational expenses of the commission shall be provided by appropriation to the agency.

Sec. 29.956. RECOMMENDATIONS. (a) The commission shall develop recommendations under this subchapter to address issues related to workforce development and the future of the state's workforce, including:

(1) strengthening and supporting industry-led public-private partnerships that connect people with careers and match employers with skilled talent;

(2) improving regional coordination and alignment between industry, the public workforce system, public schools, higher education institutions, and community-based organizations to create college and career pathways that lead to good jobs;

(3) attracting, educating, developing, and placing workers in high-demand industry sectors;

(4) addressing the current and future skills gap across the state economy and identifying statewide initiatives to enhance cross-sector collaboration, communication, and alignment;

(5) identifying incentives to encourage cooperation between sectors that fosters innovative approaches to meet the current and future workforce demands;

(6) increasing the number of work-based learning opportunities in this state and the availability of those opportunities, including for persons experiencing barriers to employment and who are historically underrepresented in high-growth, high-wage industries, including in small and midsize companies;

(7) developing a comprehensive plan for phasing in, beginning with the 2021-2022 school year, an expansion of the adult high school and industry certification charter school program under Section 29.259 as a strategy for meeting industry needs for a sufficiently trained workforce within this state; and

(8) recommending statutory changes to the laws governing the public workforce system, public education, and higher education to enhance career path options and ensure long-term collaboration with industry.

(b) The commission shall establish one or more work groups composed of not more than five members of the commission to study, discuss, and address specific policy issues and recommendations to refer to the commission for consideration. In establishing a work group under this subsection, the commission shall ensure that the membership of the work group includes at least two representatives from the business community.

Sec. 29.957. REPORT. Not later than December 31, 2020, the commission shall 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.

Sec. 29.958. PUBLIC MEETINGS AND PUBLIC INFORMATION. (a) The commission may hold public meetings as needed to fulfill the commission's duties under this subchapter.

(b) The commission is subject to Chapters 551 and 552, Government Code.

Sec. 29.959. COMMISSION ABOLISHED; EXPIRATION OF SUBCHAPTER. The commission is abolished and this subchapter expires January 12, 2021.

SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2019.

______________________________ ______________________________

President of the Senate Speaker of the House

I certify that H.B. No. 3511 was passed by the House on May 9, 2019, by the following vote: Yeas 116, Nays 26, 2 present, not voting.

______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House

I certify that H.B. No. 3511 was passed by the Senate on May 21, 2019, by the following vote: Yeas 24, Nays 7.

______________________________ Secretary of the Senate APPROVED: _____________________

Date

_____________________

Governor