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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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apprenticeship credential offered by public junior colleges or |
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public technical institutes to address shortages in the state |
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information resources workforce. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter C, Chapter 2054, Government Code, is |
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amended by adding Section 2054.0702 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 2054.0702. STATE INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY |
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APPRENTICESHIP CREDENTIAL. (a) In this section, "public junior |
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college" and "public technical institute" have the meanings |
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assigned by Section 61.003, Education Code. |
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(b) A state agency may enter into an agreement with a public |
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junior college district under Section 130.0081, Education Code, or |
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a public technical institute under Section 135.06, Education Code, |
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or other applicable law to offer a program leading to a state |
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information technology apprenticeship credential to address |
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shortages in the state information resources workforce. |
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(c) 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 a |
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journey- or senior-level information technology position in a state |
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agency; and |
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(3) include a one-year apprenticeship with: |
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(A) a relevant state agency; |
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(B) an organization working on a major |
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information resources project; or |
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(C) a regional network security center |
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established under Section 2059.202. |
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(d) An apprenticeship described by Subsection (c)(3) may |
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be: |
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(1) an apprenticeship program registered with the |
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United States Department of Labor; or |
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(2) an industry-recognized apprenticeship program |
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offered by a public junior college or public technical institute |
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that: |
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(A) adheres to academic and workforce standards |
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required by industry; and |
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(B) provides for flexibility in course design and |
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implementation, including flexibility regarding the: |
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(i) number of hours of classroom |
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instruction and on-the-job training required; |
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(ii) competencies required for |
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credentialing; and |
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(iii) goals for the program, as determined |
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by the employer partner and faculty of the institution. |
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(e) 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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(f) 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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(g) If a program offered under this section is not fully |
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funded through tuition and other money available to the public |
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junior college district or public technical institute for that |
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purpose, a state agency may: |
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(1) use any money available to the agency for the |
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purpose of offering the program; and |
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(2) solicit and accept gifts, grants, and donations |
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from any public or private source for the purpose of offering the |
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program. |
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SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025. |