HB1154 - Relating to the establishment of a skilled labor task force by certain local workforce development boards.

  89R3069 KSD-F     By: Gámez, Longoria, Simmons H.B. No. 1154       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to the establishment of a skilled labor task force by   certain local workforce development boards.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Subchapter G, Chapter 2308, Government Code, is   amended by adding Section 2308.321 to read as follows:           Sec.   2308.321.     ESTABLISHMENT OF SKILLED LABOR TASK FORCE BY   CERTAIN BOARDS. (a) This section applies only to a board   established in a county with a population of 400,000 or more that   borders the Gulf of Mexico.           (b)     A board to which this section applies shall establish a   skilled labor task force consisting of 17 members from the board's   local workforce development area appointed by the board as follows:                 (1)  three members who are local government officials;                 (2)     three members representing public postsecondary   education and vocational education;                 (3)  one member representing a public school district;                 (4)     one member representing the district attorney's   office;                 (5)     five members who are local business leaders with   expertise regarding the local labor market;                 (6)  two members representing the public; and                 (7)     two ex officio nonvoting members who are members   of the legislature:                       (A)     one of whom is appointed by the lieutenant   governor; and                       (B)     one of whom is appointed by the speaker of the   house of representatives.           (c)     A person may not serve on the board and skilled labor   task force concurrently.           (d)     A board to which this section applies shall appoint a   member of the skilled labor task force to serve as the task force's   presiding officer.           (e)     A skilled labor task force established under this   section shall study and develop recommendations for the legislature   and board regarding strategies for:                 (1)     improving the delivery of workforce education and   workforce training and services in the board's local workforce   development area;                 (2)     addressing current and future skills gaps in the   area;                 (3)     assisting at-risk teenagers and young adults in   preparing for career employment; and                 (4)     ensuring the area has a sufficiently trained   workforce to meet local industry needs.           (f)     A skilled labor task force member is not entitled to   compensation or reimbursement for expenses.           (g)     A board to which this section applies shall provide   administrative support to the board's skilled labor task force as   necessary to assist the task force in conducting meetings and   preparing reports required by this section.           (h)     A skilled labor task force established under this   section shall meet not later than the 30th day after the date the   last initial appointment to the task force is made. The task force   shall meet at least quarterly as necessary at the call of the   presiding officer and may communicate regularly with the board to   provide information and make recommendations outside the task   force's biennial report under Subsection (i).           (i)     Not later than December 1 of each even-numbered year, a   skilled labor task force established under this section shall   submit to the governor, the lieutenant governor, the speaker of the   house of representatives, and the board a written report of the task   force's findings and recommendations for legislative or board   action.           (j)     A skilled labor task force established under this   section is abolished and this section expires September 1, 2029.          SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.