H.B. No. 2478
AN ACT
relating to the collection, study, and reporting by the Texas
Workforce Commission of certain information regarding shortages in
high-wage, high-demand occupations.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 302, Labor Code, is
amended by adding Section 302.019 to read as follows:
Sec. 302.019. OCCUPATIONAL SHORTAGE STUDY; REPORT. (a)
The commission shall gather and study information relating to
existing and projected shortages in high-wage, high-demand
occupations in this state. The study conducted by the commission
under this section must include information on existing and
projected shortages in high-wage, high-demand occupations in
industrial job sectors, including:
(1) construction;
(2) manufacturing;
(3) agriculture;
(4) forestry;
(5) health care and social services;
(6) education;
(7) transportation and warehousing;
(8) mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction;
(9) utilities;
(10) wholesale trade;
(11) retail trade;
(12) finance and insurance;
(13) professional, scientific, and technical
services; and
(14) hospitality and food services.
(b) Not later than January 1 of each year, the commission
shall submit to the governor, the lieutenant governor, the speaker
of the house of representatives, and the presiding officer of each
standing committee or subcommittee of the legislature with primary
jurisdiction over workforce development matters a detailed report
summarizing the results of the commission's study under this
section for the most recent state fiscal year and any suggestions
and recommendations for legislative action the commission
considers appropriate resulting from that study.
SECTION 2. The Texas Workforce Commission shall submit the
initial report to the governor and the legislature as required by
Section 302.019, Labor Code, as added by this Act, not later than
January 1, 2015.
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, 2013.
______________________________ ______________________________
President of the Senate Speaker of the House
I certify that H.B. No. 2478 was passed by the House on May 2,
2013, by the following vote: Yeas 145, Nays 2, 2 present, not
voting.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House
I certify that H.B. No. 2478 was passed by the Senate on May
20, 2013, by the following vote: Yeas 30, Nays 1.
______________________________
Secretary of the Senate
APPROVED: _____________________
Date
_____________________
Governor