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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the development of a state information technology |
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credential offered by public junior colleges to address shortages |
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in the state information resources workforce. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 2054.061(b), Government Code, is amended |
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to read as follows: |
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(b) The department shall annually analyze: |
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(1) the department's staffing needs; |
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(2) the need for and cost-effectiveness of contracting |
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for consultants and outside staff; |
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(3) whether the department could use department staff |
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to accomplish tasks proposed for the consultants and outside staff; |
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[and] |
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(4) whether and what type of training or additional |
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resources are necessary for the department to use the department's |
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own staff to accomplish tasks proposed for the consultants or |
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outside staff; and |
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(5) whether entering into an agreement with a public |
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junior college district under Section 2054.0701 is appropriate to |
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assist the department in meeting staffing needs. |
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SECTION 2. Subchapter C, Chapter 2054, Government Code, is |
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amended by adding Section 2054.0701 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 2054.0701. STATE INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY CREDENTIAL. |
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(a) The department may enter into an agreement with a public junior |
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college district under Section 130.0081, Education Code, to offer a |
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program leading to a state information technology credential to |
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address shortages in the state information resources workforce. |
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(b) A program offered under this section must: |
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(1) be approved by the Texas Higher Education |
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Coordinating Board in accordance with Section 61.0512, Education |
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Code; |
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(2) develop the knowledge and skills necessary for an |
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entry-level information technology position in a state agency; and |
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(3) include a one-year apprenticeship with: |
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(A) the department; |
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(B) another relevant state agency; |
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(C) an organization working on a major |
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information resources project; or |
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(D) a regional network security center |
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established under Section 2059.202. |
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(c) The executive director shall update the department's |
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intra-agency career ladder program to ensure that an associate |
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degree together with a credential awarded under this section may be |
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substituted for a four-year baccalaureate degree. |
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(d) The classification officer in the office of the state |
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auditor shall review the state's position classification plan to |
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determine whether an associate degree together with a credential |
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awarded under this section may be substituted for a four-year |
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baccalaureate degree and revise relevant job descriptions |
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accordingly. |
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(e) If a program offered under this section is not fully |
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funded through tuition and other money of the public junior college |
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district available for the purpose, the department may: |
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(1) use any money available to the department for the |
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purpose to offer a program under this section; and |
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(2) solicit and accept gifts, grants, and donations |
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from any public or private source for purposes of offering a program |
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under this section. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023. |