Bill > HB5008

This bill modifies the Texas Labor Code to include the Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station alongside existing entities like public community and technical colleges, community-based organizations, and local workforce development boards in provisions related to the skills development fund. The bill expands the scope of entities eligible to recover customized training costs, participate in job training programs, and receive funds for developing training programs for businesses and trade unions. Specifically, the Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station is now explicitly authorized to: focus on statewide training programs not available from local colleges, participate in training consortiums, and apply for skills development fund money. The bill also requires the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to biennially review these training programs and mandates that participants submit detailed reports every even-numbered year about their program effectiveness, with potential financial penalties for non-compliance. The changes aim to remove administrative barriers and create incentives for more efficient and responsive workforce training across various educational and technical institutions. The bill is set to take effect on September 1, 2025.

Labor and Employment

https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=89R&Bill=HB5008