HB5194 - Relating to improving the efficiency of state workforce development programs and apprenticeship pathways to address workforce shortages.

      By: Capriglione H.B. No. 5194       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to improving the efficiency of state workforce development   programs and apprenticeship pathways to address workforce   shortages.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Subchapter A, Chapter 302, Labor Code, is   amended by adding Section 302.0039 to read as follows:           Sec.   302.0039.     RURAL WORKFORCE TRAINING GRANT PROGRAM. (a)   In this section, "program" means the Rural Workforce Training Grant   Program established under this section.           (b)     The commission shall establish and administer the Rural   Workforce Training Grant Program for the purpose of providing   targeted funding for job-specific workforce training and related   services to strengthen the skills, resources, and career   opportunities of the rural workforce in this state.           (c)     Under the program, the commission shall award grants to   public, private, or nonprofit entities, including business   associations, political subdivisions, local workforce development   boards, and educational institutions, that:           (1)     provide on-the-job training, apprenticeships,   workforce education courses, and other job-specific workforce   development activities in a county with a population of less than   200,000; and           (2)     apply to the commission in the manner provided by   commission rule.           (d)     Grant money awarded to an entity under the program may   be used only to cover costs associated with training materials,   instructors' fees, participant wraparound expenses, facility fees,   administrative costs, and outreach, mentoring, and recruiting   costs for the training, apprenticeship, course, or other activity   for which the money is awarded.           (e)     The commission shall require a grant recipient to   provide periodic reports regarding the recipient's use of grant   money received under the program and related training participant   outcomes.           (f)     The commission may solicit and accept gifts, grants, and   donations from any public or private source for purposes of the   program.           (g)     The commission shall adopt rules for the administration   of the program.           (h)     Not later than December 1 of each year, the commission   shall submit to the governor, the lieutenant governor, the speaker   of the house of representatives, and the standing committee of each   house of the legislature with primary jurisdiction over workforce   development matters a report regarding:           (1)     the grants awarded under the program during the most   recent state fiscal year; and           (2)  the program's effectiveness.          SECTION 2.  The Texas Workforce Commission shall adopt the   rules required under Section 302.0039(g), Labor Code, as added by   this Act, as soon as practicable after the effective date of this   Act.          SECTION 3.  Subchapter C, Chapter 2054, Government Code, is   amended by adding Section 2054.0702 to read as follows:           Sec.   2054.0702.     STATE INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY   APPRENTICESHIP CREDENTIAL.   (a) In this section, "public technical   institute" has the meaning assigned by Section 61.003, Education   Code.           (b)     A state agency may enter into an agreement with a public   junior college district under Section 130.0081, Education Code, or   a public technical institute under Section 135.06, Education Code,   or other applicable law to offer a program leading to a state   information technology apprenticeship credential to address   shortages in the state information resources workforce.           (c)  A program offered under this section must:                 (1)     be approved by the Texas Higher Education   Coordinating Board in accordance with Section 61.0512, Education   Code;                 (2)     develop the knowledge and skills necessary for a   journey- or senior-level information technology position in a state   agency; and                 (3)  include a one-year apprenticeship with:                       (A)  a relevant state agency;                       (B)     an organization working on a major   information resources project; or                       (C)     a regional network security center   established under Section 2059.202.           (d)     The executive director shall update the department's   intra-agency career ladder program to ensure that an associate   degree together with a credential awarded under this section may be   substituted for a four-year baccalaureate degree.           (e)     The classification officer in the office of the state   auditor shall review the state's position classification plan to   determine whether an associate degree together with a credential   awarded under this section may be substituted for a four-year   baccalaureate degree and revise relevant job descriptions   accordingly.          SECTION 4.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.