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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the establishment by the Texas Workforce Commission of |
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an advanced nuclear energy workforce development program. |
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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 302.0081 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 302.0081. ADVANCED NUCLEAR ENERGY WORKFORCE |
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DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM. (a) In this section: |
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(1) "Agency" means the Texas Education Agency. |
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(2) "Coordinating board" means the Texas Higher |
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Education Coordinating Board. |
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(3) "General academic teaching institution," |
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"institution of higher education," "public junior college," and |
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"public technical institute" have the meanings assigned by Section |
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61.003, Education Code. |
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(4) "Program" means the advanced nuclear energy |
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workforce development program established under this section. |
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(b) The commission, in collaboration with the agency and |
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coordinating board and in consultation with representatives |
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designated by the Public Utility Commission of Texas to coordinate |
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this state's nuclear energy strategies, by rule shall establish and |
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administer the advanced nuclear energy workforce development |
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program under this section for the purpose of addressing urgent |
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skilled labor demands in the advanced nuclear energy industry in |
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this state. |
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(c) Under the program, the commission shall: |
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(1) create a strategic plan for: |
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(A) addressing labor supply gaps and talent |
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retention issues in the advanced nuclear energy industry; and |
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(B) providing financial assistance, including |
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through the creation of strategic partnerships among public and |
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private entities and advanced nuclear energy industry |
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stakeholders, to incentivize and support: |
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(i) the development of programming and |
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outreach efforts designed to create awareness of nuclear science |
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and career opportunities in the field of advanced nuclear energy |
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among public school students; |
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(ii) the creation of academic pathways from |
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secondary school to education and training programs at institutions |
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of higher education in the field of advanced nuclear energy; |
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(iii) the creation by institutions of |
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higher education of education and training programs in the field of |
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advanced nuclear energy; and |
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(iv) research and leadership development in |
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the field of advanced nuclear energy at general academic teaching |
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institutions; and |
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(2) develop customized curriculum requirements for |
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degree and certificate programs to prepare students for high-wage |
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jobs in the advanced nuclear energy industry that, subject to |
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coordinating board approval under Section 61.0512, Education Code, |
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may be offered by an institution of higher education. |
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(d) In developing curriculum requirements under Subsection |
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(c)(2), the commission shall: |
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(1) consult with: |
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(A) representatives of the agency, coordinating |
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board, general academic teaching institutions, public technical |
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institutes, and public junior colleges; |
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(B) the designated representatives of the Public |
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Utility Commission of Texas described by Subsection (b); and |
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(C) employers in the advanced nuclear energy |
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industry; and |
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(2) focus on developing academic pathways to and |
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curricula for programs leading to high-wage jobs in the areas of: |
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(A) nuclear-grade welding; |
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(B) radiological control and monitoring; |
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(C) reactor operations; |
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(D) nuclear instrumentation and control; and |
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(E) nuclear, electrical, chemical, civil, and |
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environmental engineering. |
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(e) Not later than September 1 of each year, the commission, |
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in consultation with the agency and coordinating board, shall |
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prepare and submit to each standing committee of the legislature |
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with primary jurisdiction over workforce development, higher |
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education, or energy industry matters, a report summarizing the |
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commission's activities under the program. The report may include |
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the commission's recommendations for legislative or other action. |
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SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025. |