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