BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 322

By: Guillen

Trade, Workforce & Economic Development

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The Texas Workforce Commission administers the Jobs and Education for Texans (JET) Grant Program, which supports open-enrollment charter schools, public school districts, public junior colleges, public technical institutes, public state colleges, and the Windham School District. The JET program funds the purchase and installation of equipment for career and technical education programs resulting in a certificate, credential of value, or post-secondary degree. However, the bill author has informed the committee that current law does not provide for the technology solutions needed to ensure these programs are sustainable and effective long-term. H.B. 322 seeks to improve JET's efficiency and flexibility by authorizing the use of JET grants to pay costs relating to technology solutions to support career and technical education programs.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

H.B. 322 amends the Education Code to authorize grants awarded under the Jobs and Education for Texans (JET) Grant Program from the JET fund to pay costs for the acquisition, implementation, and ongoing maintenance of technology solutions necessary to support new career and technical education programs at public junior colleges, public technical institutes, public state colleges, and school districts and open-enrollment charter schools. The bill applies only to a grant awarded on or after the bill's effective date.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2025.