85R22922 KSD-D
By: Alvarado, Button, Bernal, Paddie, H.B. No. 108
Gonzales of Williamson, et al.
Substitute the following for H.B. No. 108:
By: Button C.S.H.B. No. 108
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the use of the skills development fund 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. Chapter 303, Labor Code, is amended by adding
Section 303.0031 to read as follows:
Sec. 303.0031. USE OF SKILLS DEVELOPMENT FUND TO RECRUIT
CERTAIN EMPLOYERS. (a) In this section, "public junior college"
and "public technical institute" have the meanings assigned by
Section 61.003, Education Code.
(b) In addition to the purposes described by Section
303.001, the commission may use the skills development fund 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) The commission may use funds available for the purpose
of this section to:
(1) 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; and
(2) award grants to a public junior college or public
technical institute providing workforce training and related
support services to employers who commit to establishing a place of
business in this state.
(d) A grant awarded under this section may be used only for:
(1) developing:
(A) customized workforce training programs for
an employer's specific business needs;
(B) fast-track curriculum;
(C) workforce training-related support services
for employers; or
(D) instructor certification necessary to
provide workforce training; and
(2) acquiring training equipment necessary for
instructor certification and employment.
(e) 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
this section.
(f) The commission may solicit and accept gifts, grants, and
donations from any public or private source for the purpose of this
section.
(g) The commission may require, as a condition of receiving
money under this section, that a recipient agree to repay the amount
received and any related interest if the commission determines that
the money was not used for the purposes for which the money was
awarded.
(h) Money may not be used under this section 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.
(i) The commission may adopt rules as necessary to implement
this section.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2017.