By: Bhojani, et al. (Senate Sponsor - Flores) H.B. No. 4451
         (In the Senate - Received from the House May 1, 2023;
  May 4, 2023, read first time and referred to Committee on Natural
  Resources & Economic Development; May 18, 2023, reported favorably
  by the following vote:  Yeas 8, Nays 0; May 18, 2023, sent to
  printer.)
Click here to see the committee vote
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
 
  relating to a report by the Texas Workforce Commission regarding
  apprenticeship opportunities in this state for emerging and
  high-demand industries.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Subchapter A, Chapter 302, Labor Code, is
  amended by adding Section 302.0191 to read as follows:
         Sec. 302.0191.  REPORT ON AVAILABLE APPRENTICESHIPS. (a)
  In this section:
               (1)  "Apprenticeship program" includes:
                     (A)  an industry-recognized training program, as
  defined by Section 302.252; and
                     (B)  an apprenticeship training program, as
  defined by Section 133.001, Education Code.
               (2)  "Emerging and high-demand industry" means an
  industry or occupation described by the report required under
  Section 302.019.
         (b)  Not later than September 1 of each year, the commission
  shall, in consultation with each local workforce development board,
  prepare and submit to the legislature a report on available
  apprenticeship programs in this state and make recommendations to
  expand the availability of apprenticeship programs in emerging and
  high-demand industries. The report must:
               (1)  include data on:
                     (A)  the total number of active apprenticeship
  programs, categorized by the industries included in the North
  American Industry Classification System;
                     (B)  the total number of active apprentices,
  categorized by the industries included in the North American
  Industry Classification System; and
                     (C)  the total occupational demand for each
  industry, categorized by each occupation in the industry for which
  an apprenticeship program may be established; and
               (2)  make recommendations to expand available
  apprenticeship programs for emerging and high-demand industries
  with higher employment demand relative to the total number of
  active apprentices and apprenticeship programs.
         (c)  The commission may collaborate and consult with the
  council or the Apprenticeship and Training Advisory Committee, as
  designated by the council, to develop recommendations for the
  report under Subsection (b).
         (d)  The commission shall provide a copy of the report to the
  council or the Apprenticeship and Training Advisory Committee, as
  designated by the council, at the same time as the report required
  under Section 133.006(b), Education Code.
         SECTION 2.  Not later than September 1, 2024, the Texas
  Workforce Commission shall prepare and submit the initial report
  required by Section 302.0191, Labor Code, as added by this Act.
         SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.
 
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