87R17175 CXP-F
By: Parker, Murphy, Raney, Hunter, et al. H.B. No. 3003
Substitute the following for H.B. No. 3003:
By: Frullo C.S.H.B. No. 3003
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the establishment of the Texas Reskilling and
Upskilling through Education (TRUE) Program to support workforce
education at two-year public institutions of higher education.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Chapter 61, Education Code, is amended by adding
Subchapter T-2 to read as follows:
SUBCHAPTER T-2. TEXAS RESKILLING AND UPSKILLING THROUGH EDUCATION
(TRUE) PROGRAM
Sec. 61.881. DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter:
(1) "Eligible institution" means a public junior
college or public state college.
(2) "Program" means the Texas Reskilling and
Upskilling through Education (TRUE) Program established under this
subchapter.
Sec. 61.882. ESTABLISHMENT; ADMINISTRATION; PURPOSE. (a)
The Texas Reskilling and Upskilling through Education (TRUE)
Program is established to strengthen the Texas workforce and build
a stronger Texas economy.
(b) The board shall administer the program in accordance
with this subchapter and rules adopted under this subchapter.
(c) Under the program, using funds appropriated or
otherwise available for the purpose, the board shall award grants
to eligible institutions or consortiums of eligible institutions
for creating, redesigning, or expanding workforce training
programs and delivering education and workforce training that lead
to postsecondary industry certifications or other workforce
credentials required for high-demand occupations.
(d) In awarding grants under this subchapter, the board:
(1) shall, to the greatest extent practicable, award
grants to at least one eligible institution in each region of the
state; and
(2) may give preference to applicants that:
(A) represent a consortium of eligible
institutions; or
(B) prioritize training to displaced workers.
Sec. 61.883. USE OF GRANT. (a) A grant awarded to an
eligible institution or a consortium of eligible institutions under
this subchapter may be used only for the support and maintenance of
educational and general activities that promote workforce learning
at the institution or a member institution, as applicable,
including:
(1) providing training in existing, new, or redesigned
accelerated programs that teach high-demand skills and lead to
postsecondary industry certifications or other workforce
credentials valued in growing occupations;
(2) developing new industry-aligned, high-demand
postsecondary industry certifications or other workforce
credentials and certificate programs or other courses of
instruction leading to those certifications or credentials that can
be completed in six months or less;
(3) redesigning existing postsecondary industry
certifications or credentials and certificate programs or other
courses of instruction leading to those certifications or
credentials to meet the standards under Subdivision (2); and
(4) expanding institutional capacity to provide
high-demand postsecondary industry certifications or other
workforce credentials that are stackable in high-demand career
pathways and address the needs of high-demand occupations
identified by the Texas Workforce Commission or applicable local
workforce development boards.
(b) Money received by an eligible institution or a
consortium of eligible institutions under the program in a fiscal
year that is not used by the institution or a member institution, as
applicable, in that fiscal year may be held and used by the
institution or consortium in subsequent fiscal years for the
purposes prescribed in this section.
Sec. 61.884. RECOGNIZED CERTIFICATIONS OR CREDENTIALS. (a)
The board, in collaboration with eligible institutions, the Texas
Workforce Commission, and private employers, shall identify
existing and develop new postsecondary industry certifications or
other workforce credentials valued in high-demand occupations.
(b) The board, in consultation with eligible institutions,
shall:
(1) identify postsecondary industry certifications or
other workforce credentials developed or redesigned using grant
funds under the program; and
(2) establish methods for collecting and reporting
data related to the certifications or credentials identified under
Subdivision (1).
(c) An eligible institution or a consortium of eligible
institutions awarded a grant under this subchapter may recommend
outcomes related to the achievement or development of postsecondary
industry certifications or other workforce credentials identified
under this section to be considered by the board for inclusion in
the state's long-range master plan for higher education developed
under Section 61.051.
(d) In devising its funding formulas and making its
recommendations to the legislature relating to institutional
appropriations of funds for eligible institutions under Section
61.059, the board shall incorporate the consideration of the
achievement or development of postsecondary industry
certifications and other workforce credentials identified under
this section.
Sec. 61.885. GRANTS, GIFTS, AND DONATIONS. The board may
solicit, accept, and spend grants, gifts, and donations from any
public or private source for the purposes of this subchapter.
Sec. 61.886. RULES. The board shall adopt rules for the
administration of this subchapter, including rules requiring
eligible institutions awarded a grant under this subchapter to
report necessary information to the board.
SECTION 2. (a) The Texas Higher Education Coordinating
Board shall adopt rules to administer Subchapter T-2, Chapter 61,
Education Code, as added by this Act, as soon as practicable after
the effective date of this Act.
(b) The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board shall
award grants under Subchapter T-2, Chapter 61, Education Code, as
added by this Act, beginning with the 2021 fall semester.
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, 2021.