H.B. No. 108
 
 
 
 
AN ACT
  relating to the use of the skills development fund to facilitate the
  relocation to or expansion in this state of employers offering
  complex or high-skilled employment opportunities.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Chapter 303, Labor Code, is amended by adding
  Section 303.0031 to read as follows:
         Sec. 303.0031.  USE OF SKILLS DEVELOPMENT FUND TO RECRUIT
  CERTAIN EMPLOYERS. (a)  In this section, "public junior college"
  and "public technical institute" have the meanings assigned by
  Section 61.003, Education Code.
         (b)  In addition to the purposes described by Section
  303.001, the commission may use the skills development fund to
  provide an intensive and rapid response to, and support services
  for, employers expanding in or relocating their operations to this
  state, with a focus on recruiting employers who will provide
  complex or high-skilled employment opportunities in this state.
         (c)  The commission may use funds available for the purpose
  of this section to:
               (1)  provide leadership and direction to, and linkage
  among, out-of-state employers, economic development organizations,
  local workforce development boards, public junior colleges, and
  public technical institutes to address the employers' needs for
  recruitment and hiring for complex or high-skilled employment
  positions as necessary to facilitate employers' relocation to or
  expansion of operations in this state; and
               (2)  award grants to a public junior college or public
  technical institute providing workforce training and related
  support services to employers who commit to establishing a place of
  business in this state.
         (d)  A grant awarded under this section may be used only for:
               (1)  developing:
                     (A)  customized workforce training programs for
  an employer's specific business needs;
                     (B)  fast-track curriculum;
                     (C)  workforce training-related support services
  for employers; or
                     (D)  instructor certification necessary to
  provide workforce training; and
               (2)  acquiring training equipment necessary for
  instructor certification and employment.
         (e)  The executive director, or a person appointed by the
  executive director who is knowledgeable in the administration of
  grants, is responsible for the distribution of grant money under
  this section.
         (f)  The commission may solicit and accept gifts, grants, and
  donations from any public or private source for the purpose of this
  section.
         (g)  The commission may require, as a condition of receiving
  money under this section, that a recipient agree to repay the amount
  received and any related interest if the commission determines that
  the money was not used for the purposes for which the money was
  awarded.
         (h)  Money may not be used under this section to pay any
  training costs or other related costs of an employer to relocate the
  employer's worksite from one location in this state to another
  location in this state.
         (i)  The commission may adopt rules as necessary to implement
  this section.
         SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2017.
 
 
  ______________________________ ______________________________
     President of the Senate Speaker of the House     
 
 
         I certify that H.B. No. 108 was passed by the House on May 11,
  2017, by the following vote:  Yeas 115, Nays 30, 1 present, not
  voting.
 
  ______________________________
  Chief Clerk of the House   
 
 
         I certify that H.B. No. 108 was passed by the Senate on May
  23, 2017, by the following vote:  Yeas 28, Nays 3.
 
  ______________________________
  Secretary of the Senate    
  APPROVED:  _____________________
                     Date          
   
            _____________________
                   Governor