82R5789 YDB-D
By: Allen H.B. No. 1337
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the use of state institutions of higher education to
provide training to state agency employees.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 656.043, Government Code, is amended to
read as follows:
Sec. 656.043. DEFINITIONS [DEFINITION]. In this
subchapter:
(1) "Institution of higher education" has the meaning
assigned by Section 61.003, Education Code.
(2) "State[, "state] agency" means a department,
agency, or institution of this state, including an institution of
higher education [as defined by Section 61.003, Education Code].
SECTION 2. Section 656.049, Government Code, is amended to
read as follows:
Sec. 656.049. AUTHORITY TO CONTRACT. (a) A state agency
may contract with another state, local, or federal department,
agency, or institution, including a state-supported college or
university, to train or educate its administrators and employees or
may join in presenting a training or educational program.
(b) A state agency may not contract with a private person to
train or educate a state agency administrator or employee if the
agency is required under Section 656.050 to use an institution of
higher education to provide the training or education.
SECTION 3. Subchapter C, Chapter 656, Government Code, is
amended by adding Section 656.050 to read as follows:
Sec. 656.050. TRAINING PROVIDED BY INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER
EDUCATION. (a) A state agency shall use an institution of higher
education to provide training or education to its administrators
and employees if the institution can provide the training or
education:
(1) at a comparable level of quality but at a lower
cost to the agency;
(2) on the subject matter required by the state
agency;
(3) in the geographic area in which the state agency
administrator or employee is located;
(4) not later than the date the agency requires the
training or education to be completed; and
(5) according to a schedule acceptable to the agency.
(b) A state agency may use an institution of higher
education to supplement or enhance the training or education
provided by full-time state agency employees to the agency's other
employees.
SECTION 4. Section 656.049, Government Code, as amended by
this Act, applies only to a contract entered into on or after the
effective date of this Act. A contract entered into before the
effective date of this Act is covered by the law in effect when the
contract was entered into, and the former law is continued in effect
for that purpose.
SECTION 5. This Act takes effect September 1, 2011.