By: Zaffirini, Parker S.B. No. 1535
(In the Senate - Filed February 21, 2025; March 6, 2025,
read first time and referred to Committee on Economic Development;
March 26, 2025, reported adversely, with favorable Committee
Substitute by the following vote: Yeas 5, Nays 0; March 26, 2025,
sent to printer.)
Click here to see the committee vote
COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR S.B. No. 1535 By: Sparks
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the establishment by the Texas Workforce Commission of
an advanced nuclear energy workforce development program.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 302, Labor Code, is
amended by adding Section 302.0081 to read as follows:
Sec. 302.0081. ADVANCED NUCLEAR ENERGY WORKFORCE
DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM. (a) In this section:
(1) "Coordinating board" means the Texas Higher
Education Coordinating Board.
(2) "General academic teaching institution,"
"institution of higher education," "public junior college," and
"public technical institute" have the meanings assigned by Section
61.003, Education Code.
(3) "Program" means the advanced nuclear energy
workforce development program established under this section.
(b) The commission, in collaboration with the coordinating
board and in consultation with representatives designated by the
Public Utility Commission of Texas to coordinate this state's
nuclear energy strategies, by rule shall establish and administer
the advanced nuclear energy workforce development program under
this section for the purpose of addressing urgent skilled labor
demands in the advanced nuclear energy industry in this state.
(c) Under the program, the commission shall:
(1) create a strategic plan for:
(A) addressing labor supply gaps and talent
retention issues in the advanced nuclear energy industry; and
(B) providing financial assistance, including
through the creation of strategic partnerships among public and
private entities and advanced nuclear energy industry
stakeholders, to incentivize and support:
(i) the creation by institutions of higher
education of education and training programs in the field of
advanced nuclear energy; and
(ii) research and leadership development in
the field of advanced nuclear energy at general academic teaching
institutions; and
(2) develop customized curriculum requirements for
degree and certificate programs to prepare students for high-wage
jobs in the advanced nuclear energy industry that, subject to
coordinating board approval under Section 61.0512, Education Code,
may be offered by an institution of higher education.
(d) In developing curriculum requirements under Subsection
(c)(2), the commission shall:
(1) consult with:
(A) representatives of the coordinating board,
general academic teaching institutions, public technical
institutes, and public junior colleges;
(B) the designated representatives of the Public
Utility Commission of Texas described by Subsection (b); and
(C) employers in the advanced nuclear energy
industry; and
(2) focus on developing curricula for programs leading
to high-wage jobs in the areas of:
(A) nuclear-grade welding;
(B) radiological control and monitoring;
(C) reactor operations;
(D) nuclear instrumentation and control; and
(E) nuclear, electrical, chemical, civil, and
environmental engineering.
(e) 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 program. The report may include the
commission's recommendations for legislative or other action.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.
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