BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center S.B. 2607 By: Blanco Economic Development 5/2/2025 As Filed AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT Texas has made significant investments in workforce development programs to expand employment opportunities for its residents. However, many of these efforts are hampered by overlapping agency procedures and a lack of shared data, resulting in a one-size-fits-all approach that fails to address the specific needs of individuals and communities. S.B. 2607 establishes the Cross-Agency Employment Resource Initiative, a partnership among the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC), the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC), and the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ). The initiative directs these agencies to share data, align services, and eliminate redundancies by streamlining support for shared clients. S.B. 2607 will help ensure that services are properly aligned with local economic needs. The initiative will actively engage local workforce development boards, community organizations, business leaders, and key industry partners in the design, implementation, and ongoing evaluation of services. This collaboration will ensure that the initiative not only aligns with local and regional economic needs but also enhances the overall effectiveness of workforce programs by creating targeted, tangible, and measurable solutions that drive long-term economic growth and stability. As proposed, S.B. 2607 amends current law relating to the establishment of the Cross-Agency Employment Resource Initiative to coordinate and optimize certain employment services and resources in this state. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Subtitle G, Title 10, Government Code, by adding Chapter 2308B, as follows: CHAPTER 230B. CROSS-AGENCY EMPLOYMENT RESOURCE INITIATIVE Sec. 2308B.001. DEFINITIONS. Defines "client," "commission," "department," "initiative," and "workforce commission." Sec. 2308B.002. PURPOSE. Provides that the Cross-Agency Employment Resource Initiative (initiative) is established to coordinate and optimize services, information, and other resources as necessary to serve certain purposes Sec. 2308B.003. INTERAGENCY AGREEMENTS. Requires the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC), the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ), and the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) to enter into one or more interagency agreements establishing policies and processes for sharing relevant client data and agency information and sharing agency office space and other resources as necessary to effectuate the purposes of the initiative. Sec. 2308B.004. QUARTERLY DISCUSSIONS. Requires the executive commissioner of HHSC (executive commissioner), the chair of Texas Board of Criminal Justice (TBCJ), and the chair of TWC to discuss the work of the initiative at least once per quarter. Sec. 2308B.005. GIFTS, GRANTS, AND DONATIONS. (a) Authorizes HHSC, TDCJ, and TWC to accept gifts, grants, and donations from any public or private source for purposes of the initiative. (b) Requires HHSC, TDCJ, and TWC to investigate potential sources of funding from federal grants or programs that may be used for purposes of the initiative. SECTION 2. Requires the executive commissioner, the chair of TBCJ, and the chair of the Texas Workforce Commission, not later than October 1, 2025, to hold the initial discussion required under Section 2308B.004, Government Code, as added by this Act. SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 2025.
BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center S.B. 2607
By: Blanco
Economic Development
5/2/2025
As Filed
Senate Research Center
S.B. 2607
By: Blanco
Economic Development
5/2/2025
As Filed
AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
Texas has made significant investments in workforce development programs to expand employment opportunities for its residents. However, many of these efforts are hampered by overlapping agency procedures and a lack of shared data, resulting in a one-size-fits-all approach that fails to address the specific needs of individuals and communities.
S.B. 2607 establishes the Cross-Agency Employment Resource Initiative, a partnership among the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC), the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC), and the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ). The initiative directs these agencies to share data, align services, and eliminate redundancies by streamlining support for shared clients.
S.B. 2607 will help ensure that services are properly aligned with local economic needs. The initiative will actively engage local workforce development boards, community organizations, business leaders, and key industry partners in the design, implementation, and ongoing evaluation of services. This collaboration will ensure that the initiative not only aligns with local and regional economic needs but also enhances the overall effectiveness of workforce programs by creating targeted, tangible, and measurable solutions that drive long-term economic growth and stability.
As proposed, S.B. 2607 amends current law relating to the establishment of the Cross-Agency Employment Resource Initiative to coordinate and optimize certain employment services and resources in this state.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Subtitle G, Title 10, Government Code, by adding Chapter 2308B, as follows:
CHAPTER 230B. CROSS-AGENCY EMPLOYMENT RESOURCE INITIATIVE
Sec. 2308B.001. DEFINITIONS. Defines "client," "commission," "department," "initiative," and "workforce commission."
Sec. 2308B.002. PURPOSE. Provides that the Cross-Agency Employment Resource Initiative (initiative) is established to coordinate and optimize services, information, and other resources as necessary to serve certain purposes
Sec. 2308B.003. INTERAGENCY AGREEMENTS. Requires the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC), the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ), and the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) to enter into one or more interagency agreements establishing policies and processes for sharing relevant client data and agency information and sharing agency office space and other resources as necessary to effectuate the purposes of the initiative.
Sec. 2308B.004. QUARTERLY DISCUSSIONS. Requires the executive commissioner of HHSC (executive commissioner), the chair of Texas Board of Criminal Justice (TBCJ), and the chair of TWC to discuss the work of the initiative at least once per quarter.
Sec. 2308B.005. GIFTS, GRANTS, AND DONATIONS. (a) Authorizes HHSC, TDCJ, and TWC to accept gifts, grants, and donations from any public or private source for purposes of the initiative.
(b) Requires HHSC, TDCJ, and TWC to investigate potential sources of funding from federal grants or programs that may be used for purposes of the initiative.
SECTION 2. Requires the executive commissioner, the chair of TBCJ, and the chair of the Texas Workforce Commission, not later than October 1, 2025, to hold the initial discussion required under Section 2308B.004, Government Code, as added by this Act.
SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 2025.