HB3799 - Relating to the establishment of the Apprenticeship Training Program Sponsorship Fund.

  89R6074 KSD-D     By: Orr H.B. No. 3799       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to the establishment of the Apprenticeship Training   Program Sponsorship Fund.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Subtitle G, Title 3, Education Code, is amended   by adding Chapter 133A to read as follows:   CHAPTER 133A.   APPRENTICESHIP TRAINING PROGRAM SPONSORSHIP FUND           Sec. 133A.001.  DEFINITIONS. In this chapter:                 (1)     "Apprenticeship training program" has the meaning   assigned by Section 133.001.                 (2)     "Commission" means the Texas Workforce   Commission.                 (3)     "Fund" means the Apprenticeship Training Program   Sponsorship Fund established under this chapter.           Sec.   133A.002.     APPRENTICESHIP TRAINING PROGRAM SPONSORSHIP   FUND. (a)   The commission shall establish and administer the   Apprenticeship Training Program Sponsorship Fund as a dedicated   account in the general revenue fund.           (b)  The following amounts shall be deposited in the fund:                 (1)     any money appropriated by the legislature for the   fund for purposes of this chapter;                 (2)     interest earned on the investment of money in the   fund; and                 (3)     gifts, grants, and donations received for the   fund.           Sec.   133A.003.     FUND PURPOSE. The purpose of the fund is to   provide one-time grants to facilitate and support the development   of sponsors for apprenticeship training programs.           Sec.   133A.004.     ADVISORY BOARD. (a)   An advisory board of   education and workforce development stakeholders is created to   assist the commission in administering this chapter.           (b)     The advisory board is composed of six members who serve   two-year terms and are appointed as follows:                 (1)  one member appointed by the governor;                 (2)  one member appointed by the lieutenant governor;                 (3)     one member appointed by the speaker of the house of   representatives;                 (4)     one member appointed by the Texas Higher Education   Coordinating Board;                 (5)  one member appointed by the commission; and                 (6)     the chair of the commission, who serves as the   presiding officer.           (c)     The advisory board shall meet at least twice each   calendar year, or as needed, to make recommendations on awarding   grants under this chapter.           Sec.   133A.005.     FUND USE. Money in the fund may be used by   the commission only to award grants as provided by Section   133A.006.           Sec.   133A.006.     GRANTS. (a)   The commission shall award   one-time grants to eligible entities that apply to the commission   in the manner prescribed by commission rule and satisfy the   eligibility criteria prescribed by Section 133A.007.             (b)     The commission shall award grants under this section on   the advice and recommendation of the advisory board established   under Section 133A.004.             Sec.   133A.007.     GRANT ELIGIBILITY. To be eligible to   receive a grant under this chapter, an entity must facilitate the   employment of apprentices in this state by managing and   administering an apprenticeship training program as a sponsor for   the program, as recognized by the United States Department of   Labor.           Sec.   133A.008.     GRANT USE. Money received by an entity under   this chapter may be used only for expenses related to managing and   administering an apprenticeship training program as a sponsor for   the program.           Sec.   133A.009.     PERFORMANCE BENCHMARKS.   (a)   The commission   by rule shall establish performance benchmarks for entities   receiving grants under this chapter.           (b)     The commission by rule shall require reimbursement on a   pro rata basis by an entity that does not meet a performance   benchmark required by this section.           (c)     An entity is not required to comply with a performance   benchmark required by this section if the entity's compliance is   not possible because of an act of God, force majeure, or a similar   cause not reasonably within the entity's control.           Sec.   133A.010.     REPORT. Not later than October 1 of each   even-numbered year, the commission shall submit to each standing   committee of the legislature with primary jurisdiction over higher   education or workforce development a report on grants awarded from   the fund during the most recent state fiscal year and the   effectiveness of the fund in facilitating and supporting the   development of sponsors for apprenticeship training programs.           Sec.   133A.011.     RULES. The commission shall adopt rules as   necessary for the administration of this chapter.          SECTION 2.  The Texas Workforce Commission shall adopt rules   for the administration of Chapter 133A, Education Code, as added by   this Act, as soon as practicable after the effective date of this   Act.          SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.