89R13422 KSD-D
By: Guerra H.B. No. 3125
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to establishment by the Texas Workforce Commission of a
geothermal energy workforce education and training initiative.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 302, Labor Code, is
amended by adding Section 302.0085 to read as follows:
Sec. 302.0085. GEOTHERMAL ENERGY WORKFORCE EDUCATION AND
TRAINING INITIATIVE. (a) In this section:
(1) "Career school or college" has the meaning
assigned by Section 132.001, Education Code.
(2) "Coordinating board" means the Texas Higher
Education Coordinating Board.
(3) "General academic teaching institution,"
"institution of higher education," "public technical institute,"
and "public junior college" have the meanings assigned by Section
61.003, Education Code.
(4) "Initiative" means the geothermal energy
workforce education and training initiative established under this
section.
(b) The commission, in consultation with the coordinating
board, by rule, shall establish and administer an initiative to
develop and implement:
(1) customized education and training programs
necessary to prepare students for entry into jobs in the geothermal
energy industry in this state; and
(2) other strategies to support and incentivize
education and training opportunities that address skills gaps in
the geothermal energy workforce in this state.
(c) Under the initiative, the commission shall:
(1) in consultation with representatives from the
coordinating board, general academic teaching institutions, public
technical institutes, public junior colleges, career schools or
colleges, and employers in the geothermal energy industry, develop
customized curriculum requirements for:
(A) degree or certificate programs to prepare
students for jobs in the geothermal energy industry that, subject
to coordinating board approval under Section 61.0512, Education
Code, may be offered by institutions of higher education; and
(B) other programs of instruction leading to
recognized educational credentials to prepare students for jobs in
the geothermal energy industry that may be offered by career
schools or colleges;
(2) identify opportunities to use workforce
development funding administered by the commission to provide
financial assistance for geothermal energy workforce training
programs, subject to any requirements for or restrictions on the
distribution of those funds; and
(3) promote and support the creation of partnerships
between institutions of higher education and geothermal energy
industry employers in this state under which apprenticeship and
employment opportunities in the geothermal energy industry are made
available to students and graduates of the institutions, as
applicable.
(d) Not later than September 1 of each year, the commission,
in consultation with the coordinating board, shall prepare and
submit to each standing committee of the legislature with primary
jurisdiction over workforce development, higher education, or
energy industry matters a report summarizing the commission's
activities under the initiative. The report may include the
commission's recommendations for legislative or other action.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.