88R1166 SGM-D
 
  By: Hinojosa H.B. No. 1780
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the creation by the Texas Workforce Commission of a
  program to assist with transitioning certain workers to clean
  energy jobs.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Subtitle B, Title 4, Labor Code, is amended by
  adding Chapter 319 to read as follows:
  CHAPTER 319. TEXAS JUST TRANSITION SKILLS DEVELOPMENT WORKFORCE
  PROGRAM
         Sec. 319.001.  DEFINITIONS. In this chapter:
               (1)  "Program" means the Texas Just Transition Skills
  Development Workforce Program established under this chapter.
               (2)  "Program commissioners" means the commissioners
  of the Tri-Agency Workforce Initiative and the Texas Commission on
  Environmental Quality.
               (3)  "Tri-Agency Workforce Initiative" means the joint
  commission established under Chapter 2308A, Government Code,
  consisting of commissioners of the Texas Education Agency, the
  Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, and the Texas Workforce
  Commission.
         Sec. 319.002.  TEXAS JUST TRANSITION SKILLS DEVELOPMENT
  WORKFORCE PROGRAM. (a) The commission, in consultation with the
  program commissioners, shall develop and administer the program
  under which a network of participating frontline organizations
  across this state provide direct and sustained support to prepare
  members of economically disadvantaged communities, environmental
  justice communities, communities of color, foster care
  communities, and displaced fossil fuel workers for training and
  entry into clean energy jobs in solar energy, wind energy, energy
  efficiency, transportation electrification, and related
  industries.
         (b)  The program must:
               (1)  leverage participating frontline organizations to
  ensure members of disadvantaged communities and workers served
  under the program have dedicated and sustained support and training
  necessary for entry into clean energy jobs; and
               (2)  facilitate the development of formal partnerships
  between participating frontline organizations and trade groups,
  labor unions, and clean energy employers to ensure members of
  communities and workers served under the program have priority
  access to pre-apprenticeship, apprenticeship, and other employment
  opportunities.
         Sec. 319.003.  PROGRAM NETWORK. (a) The program
  administrator selected under Section 319.004 shall establish a
  network of frontline organizations across this state to provide
  direct and sustained support and training to members of communities
  and workers served under the program.
         (b)  Each frontline organization selected to participate in
  the network must agree to:
               (1)  provide:
                     (A)  community education and outreach about
  workforce and training opportunities to ensure members of
  communities and workers served under the program are aware of clean
  energy workforce and training opportunities;
                     (B)  training, pre-apprenticeship,
  apprenticeship, and skill development, including soft skills, math
  skills, technical skills, and other development needed for members
  of communities and workers served under the program to enter clean
  energy-related training and pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeship
  programs and career paths;
                     (C)  targeted outreach and recruitment to ensure
  people of color are invited, supported, and given assistance with
  applying for community-based and labor-based training
  opportunities, including pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeship
  programs; and
                     (D)  direct assistance and counseling to program
  participants in training and apprenticeships to help connect
  participants to career options with renewable energy companies,
  energy efficiency companies, and other clean energy employers and
  to provide a direct resource for industries to identify qualified
  workers to meet program hiring or subcontracting requirements;
               (2)  develop partnerships with labor organizations to
  ensure members of communities and workers served under the program
  are recruited, placed, and supported in labor-based training
  programs, such as workforce development programs and
  pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeship programs;
               (3)  implement a stipend program for program
  participants in clean energy-related training and apprenticeships
  that includes funds to assist with participants' transportation or
  child-care costs and costs for other needed services or supplies;
  and
               (4)  engage in job placement activities, including
  outreach to public agencies, utilities, and clean energy companies,
  the creation of formal partnerships with employers, employment
  interview preparation activities, and on-the-job support and
  counseling.
         Sec. 319.004.  PROGRAM ADMINISTRATOR. (a) The program
  commissioners shall select an individual or a community-based
  organization to serve as program administrator to coordinate the
  work of participating frontline organizations under the program to
  ensure consistent execution, performance, partnerships, marketing,
  and program access across this state.
         (b)  In selecting the program administrator, the program
  commissioners shall:
               (1)  consult with representatives from communities and
  workers served under the program; and
               (2)  ensure that the individual or organization
  selected to serve as program administrator has strong capabilities
  in program management and knowledge of industry trends and
  activities, workforce development best practices, and community
  development.
         Sec. 319.005.  CLEAN JOBS TRAINING CURRICULUM. (a) The
  program commissioners shall create and adopt a training curriculum
  designed to prepare workers to enter the clean energy field,
  including solar energy, wind energy, energy efficiency,
  electrification, site assessment, sales, and administration. The
  training curriculum must include broad occupational training to
  provide career entry into the general construction and building
  trades sector.
         (b)  In creating the training curriculum, the program
  commissioners shall consult and collaborate with:
               (1)  the Texas Workforce Investment Council;
               (2)  the Texas Economic Development and Tourism Office;
               (3)  the Texas Department of Criminal Justice;
               (4)  the Texas Education Agency;
               (5)  the Health and Human Services Commission;
               (6)  the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board;
               (7)  the Texas Juvenile Justice Department;
               (8)  the Texas Veterans Commission;
               (9)  the commission;
               (10)  the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality;
               (11)  the Railroad Commission of Texas;
               (12)  the State Energy Conservation Office;
               (13)  representatives of frontline organizations;
               (14)  workforce development providers;
               (15)  representatives of labor unions;
               (16)  representatives of building trades; and
               (17)  clean energy employers, including employers from
  the solar energy, wind energy, energy efficiency, transportation
  electrification, and infrastructure industries.
         (c)  A participating frontline organization that receives
  funding to provide training under the program, including a
  community-based or labor-based training provider, must use the
  training curriculum developed under this section for the delivery
  of that training.
         Sec. 319.006.  RULES. The commission shall adopt rules as
  necessary for the administration of this chapter.
         SECTION 2.  Not later than November 1, 2023, the
  commissioners of the Texas Education Agency, the Texas Higher
  Education Coordinating Board, the Texas Workforce Commission, and
  the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality shall select a
  program administrator as required under Section 319.004, Labor
  Code, as added by this Act, for the Texas Just Transition Skills
  Development Workforce Program created by this Act.
         SECTION 3.  Not later than March 1, 2024, the Texas Workforce
  Commission shall submit to the legislature a report reflecting the
  training curriculum adopted under Section 319.005, Labor Code, as
  added by this Act.
         SECTION 4.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.