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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to improving the efficiency of state workforce development |
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programs and apprenticeship pathways to address workforce |
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shortages. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 302, Labor Code, is |
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amended by adding Section 302.0039 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 302.0039. RURAL WORKFORCE TRAINING GRANT PROGRAM. (a) |
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In this section, "program" means the Rural Workforce Training Grant |
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Program established under this section. |
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(b) The commission shall establish and administer the Rural |
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Workforce Training Grant Program for the purpose of providing |
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targeted funding for job-specific workforce training and related |
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services to strengthen the skills, resources, and career |
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opportunities of the rural workforce in this state. |
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(c) Under the program, the commission shall award grants to |
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public, private, or nonprofit entities, including business |
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associations, political subdivisions, local workforce development |
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boards, and educational institutions, that: |
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(1) provide on-the-job training, apprenticeships, |
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workforce education courses, and other job-specific workforce |
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development activities in a county with a population of less than |
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200,000; and |
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(2) apply to the commission in the manner provided by |
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commission rule. |
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(d) Grant money awarded to an entity under the program may |
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be used only to cover costs associated with training materials, |
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instructors' fees, participant wraparound expenses, facility fees, |
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administrative costs, and outreach, mentoring, and recruiting |
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costs for the training, apprenticeship, course, or other activity |
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for which the money is awarded. |
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(e) The commission shall require a grant recipient to |
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provide periodic reports regarding the recipient's use of grant |
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money received under the program and related training participant |
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outcomes. |
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(f) The commission may solicit and accept gifts, grants, and |
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donations from any public or private source for purposes of the |
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program. |
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(g) The commission shall adopt rules for the administration |
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of the program. |
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(h) Not later than December 1 of each year, the commission |
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shall submit to the governor, the lieutenant governor, the speaker |
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of the house of representatives, and the standing committee of each |
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house of the legislature with primary jurisdiction over workforce |
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development matters a report regarding: |
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(1) the grants awarded under the program during the most |
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recent state fiscal year; and |
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(2) the program's effectiveness. |
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SECTION 2. The Texas Workforce Commission shall adopt the |
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rules required under Section 302.0039(g), Labor Code, as added by |
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this Act, as soon as practicable after the effective date of this |
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Act. |
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SECTION 3. 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 technical |
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institute" has the meaning assigned by Section 61.003, Education |
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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) 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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(e) 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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SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025. |