By: Zaffirini S.B. No. 2405
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to a pilot program to expand access to career and technical
education partnerships in rural areas.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Chapter 12, Agriculture Code, is amended by
adding Section 12.0271 to read as follows:
Sec. 12.0271. RURAL WORKFORCE INVESTMENT PILOT PROGRAM.
(a) In this section:
(1) "General academic teaching institution," "public
junior college," and "public technical institute" have the meanings
assigned by Section 61.003, Education Code.
(2) "Rural area" means:
(A) a county with a population of less than
100,000; or
(B) a municipality with a population of less than
50,000.
(b) Subject to available funding, the commissioner by rule
shall develop a rural workforce investment pilot program to issue
grants for developing partnerships in rural areas among school
districts, public junior colleges, public technical institutes,
general academic teaching institutions, and business and industry
to provide greater access to career and technical education and
industry certification to high school students in those areas.
(c) The department may not issue more than four grants under
this section in each state fiscal biennium.
(d) The department shall coordinate with the Texas
Workforce Commission, the Texas Higher Education Coordinating
Board, and the Texas Education Agency in developing the pilot
program.
(e) Students participating in the pilot program may receive
at least 60 hours of college credit before high school graduation.
(f) A local workforce development board authorized by the
Texas Workforce Commission may apply to participate in the pilot
program if the workforce development board:
(1) serves a rural area of the state; and
(2) meets any other qualifications prescribed by the
commissioner.
(g) To receive a grant under this section, an applicant must
commit public or private funds matching the grant in a percentage
set by the commissioner. The commissioner shall set the required
percentage of matching funds based on the demonstrated economic
capacity of the community served by the program to raise funds for
the purpose of matching the grant, as determined by the
commissioner.
SECTION 2. This Act does not make an appropriation. A
provision in this Act that creates a new governmental program,
creates a new entitlement, or imposes a new duty on a governmental
entity is not mandatory during a fiscal period for which the
legislature has not made a specific appropriation to implement the
provision.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
Act takes effect September 1, 2009.