89R18729 CXP-F
By: Capriglione H.B. No. 2768
Substitute the following for H.B. No. 2768:
By: Bhojani C.S.H.B. No. 2768
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the development of a state information technology
apprenticeship credential offered by public junior colleges or
public technical institutes to address shortages in the state
information resources workforce.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter C, Chapter 2054, Government Code, is
amended by adding Section 2054.0702 to read as follows:
Sec. 2054.0702. STATE INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
APPRENTICESHIP CREDENTIAL. (a) In this section, "public junior
college" and "public technical institute" have the meanings
assigned by Section 61.003, Education Code.
(b) A state agency may enter into an agreement with a public
junior college district under Section 130.0081, Education Code, or
a public technical institute under Section 135.06, Education Code,
or other applicable law to offer a program leading to a state
information technology apprenticeship credential to address
shortages in the state information resources workforce.
(c) A program offered under this section must:
(1) be approved by the Texas Higher Education
Coordinating Board in accordance with Section 61.0512, Education
Code;
(2) develop the knowledge and skills necessary for a
journey- or senior-level information technology position in a state
agency; and
(3) include a one-year apprenticeship with:
(A) a relevant state agency;
(B) an organization working on a major
information resources project; or
(C) a regional network security center
established under Section 2059.202.
(d) An apprenticeship described by Subsection (c)(3) may
be:
(1) an apprenticeship program registered with the
United States Department of Labor; or
(2) an industry-recognized apprenticeship program
offered by a public junior college or public technical institute
that:
(A) adheres to academic and workforce standards
required by industry; and
(B) provides for flexibility in course design and
implementation, including flexibility regarding the:
(i) number of hours of classroom
instruction and on-the-job training required;
(ii) competencies required for
credentialing; and
(iii) goals for the program, as determined
by the employer partner and faculty of the institution.
(e) The executive director shall update the department's
intra-agency career ladder program to ensure that an associate
degree together with a credential awarded under this section may be
substituted for a four-year baccalaureate degree.
(f) The classification officer in the office of the state
auditor shall review the state's position classification plan to
determine whether an associate degree together with a credential
awarded under this section may be substituted for a four-year
baccalaureate degree and revise relevant job descriptions
accordingly.
(g) If a program offered under this section is not fully
funded through tuition and other money available to the public
junior college district or public technical institute for that
purpose, a state agency may:
(1) use any money available to the agency for the
purpose of offering the program; and
(2) solicit and accept gifts, grants, and donations
from any public or private source for the purpose of offering the
program.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.