H.B. No. 4279
AN ACT
relating to the eligibility of the Windham School District to
participate in the Jobs and Education for Texans (JET) Grant
Program.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 134.004, Education Code, is amended to
read as follows:
Sec. 134.004. JOBS AND EDUCATION FOR TEXANS (JET) GRANT
PROGRAM. (a) The commission shall establish and administer the Jobs
and Education for Texans (JET) Grant Program to provide grants to
public junior colleges, public technical institutes, public state
colleges, and [independent] school districts described under
Section 134.007 that apply to the advisory board in the manner
prescribed by the advisory board. The commission shall award the
grants on the advice and recommendations of the advisory board.
(b) Grants may be awarded under this chapter from the Jobs
and Education for Texans (JET) fund to defray the start-up costs
associated with the development of new career and technical
education programs at public junior colleges, public technical
institutes, public state colleges, and [independent] school
districts described under Section 134.007 that meet the
requirements of Section 134.006.
SECTION 2. Sections 134.006(a), (c), and (d), Education
Code, are amended to read as follows:
(a) The commission may award a grant for the development of
new career and technical education courses or programs at public
junior colleges, public technical institutes, public state
colleges, and [independent] school districts described under
Section 134.007.
(c) In awarding a grant under this section, the commission
shall primarily consider the potential economic returns to the
state from the development of the career and technical education
course or program. The commission may also consider whether the
course or program:
(1) is part of a new, emerging industry or high-demand
occupation;
(2) offers new or expanded dual credit career and
technical educational opportunities in public high schools; [or]
(3) offers new career and technical educational
opportunities not previously available to students enrolled at any
campus in the Windham School District; or
(4) is provided in cooperation with other public
junior colleges, public technical institutes, or public state
colleges across existing service areas.
(d) To be eligible to receive a grant under this section, a
public junior college, public technical institute, public state
college, or [independent] school district described under Section
134.007 must provide matching funds in accordance with rules
adopted under Section 134.008. The matching funds may be obtained
from any source available to the public junior college, public
technical institute, public state college, or [independent] school
district, including industry consortia, community or foundation
grants, individual contributions, and local governmental agency
operating funds.
SECTION 3. Section 134.007, Education Code, is amended to
read as follows:
Sec. 134.007. GRANTS AWARDED TO [INDEPENDENT] SCHOOL
DISTRICT. The commission may award a grant to a [an independent]
school district under this chapter if the district:
(1) is an independent school district and has entered
into a partnership with a public junior college, public technical
institute, or public state college for the purpose of:
(A) [(1)] promoting career and technical
education to the district's students; or
(B) [(2)] offering dual credit courses to the
district's students; or
(2) is the Windham School District.
SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2021.
______________________________ ______________________________
President of the Senate Speaker of the House
I certify that H.B. No. 4279 was passed by the House on May
11, 2021, by the following vote: Yeas 121, Nays 22, 2 present, not
voting.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House
I certify that H.B. No. 4279 was passed by the Senate on May
22, 2021, by the following vote: Yeas 30, Nays 0.
______________________________
Secretary of the Senate
APPROVED: _____________________
Date
_____________________
Governor