By: Alvarado, Gonzales, Button, H.B. No. 1155
Rodriguez of Travis, Johnson, et al.
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the creation of the Recruit Texas Program to facilitate
the relocation to or expansion in this state of employers offering
complex or high-skilled employment opportunities.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subtitle B, Title 4, Labor Code, is amended by
adding Chapter 316 to read as follows:
CHAPTER 316. RECRUIT TEXAS PROGRAM
Sec. 316.001. DEFINITIONS. In this chapter:
(1) "Program" means the Recruit Texas Program
established under this chapter.
(2) "Public junior college" and "public technical
institute" have the meanings assigned by Section 61.003, Education
Code.
Sec. 316.002. RECRUIT TEXAS PROGRAM. (a) The Recruit Texas
Program is established within the commission.
(b) The purpose of the program is to provide an intensive
and rapid response to, and support services for, employers
expanding in or relocating their operations to this state, with a
focus on recruiting employers who will provide complex or
high-skilled employment opportunities in this state.
(c) Under the program, the commission shall provide
leadership and direction to, and linkage among, out-of-state
employers, economic development organizations, local workforce
development boards, public junior colleges, and public technical
institutes to address the employers' needs for recruitment and
hiring for complex or high-skilled employment positions as
necessary to facilitate employers' relocation to or expansion of
operations in this state.
Sec. 316.003. GRANTS. (a) Under the program, the commission
may award grants to a public junior college or public technical
institute to assist the college or institute to develop:
(1) customize training programs specific business
needs;
(2) fast track curriculum development;
(3) instructor certification necessary to provide
workforce training;
(4) funding for training equipment that leads to
certification and employment; and
(5) other related support services to employers who
commit to establishing a place of business in this state.
(b) The executive director, or a person appointed by the
executive director who is knowledgeable in the administration of
grants, is responsible for the distribution of grant money under
the program.
Sec. 316.004. FUNDING; USE OF FUNDS. (a) The commission,
for the purposes of this section, may use:
(1) money appropriated to the commission; and
(2) money from other appropriate, statutorily
authorized funding sources, including the JET program.
(b) The commission may commit money under the program to an
out-of-state employer contingent on the employer's establishment
or expansion of business operations in this state.
(c) Under the program, money may not be used to pay any
training costs or other related costs of an employer to relocate the
employer's worksite from one location in this state to another
location in this state.
Sec. 316.005. RULES. The commission may adopt rules as
necessary to implement this chapter.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2015.