geothermal job training, courtesy of the Texas Workforce Commission

The text as introduced · 462 words

90R4280 KSD-D

By: Garcia of Bexar
H.B. No. 349

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, 2027.