By: Alvarado, J. Davis of Harris, Munoz, Jr. H.B. No. 1296
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to information regarding postsecondary education and
  career opportunities and workforce needs in this state.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Subchapter B, Chapter 7, Education Code, is
  amended by adding Section 7.040 to read as follows:
         Sec. 7.040.  POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION AND CAREER
  OPPORTUNITIES. (a) The agency shall prepare information comparing
  institutions of higher education in this state and post the
  information on the agency's Internet website. Information prepared
  under this section shall be given to a public school student who
  requests the information. The information shall:
               (1)  identify postsecondary education and career
  opportunities, including information that states the benefits of
  four-year and two-year higher education programs, postsecondary
  technical education, skilled workforce careers, and career
  education programs;
               (2)  compare each institution of higher education with
  other institutions regarding:
                     (A)  the relative cost of tuition;
                     (B)  the retention rate of students;
                     (C)  the graduation rate of students;
                     (D)  the average student debt;
                     (E)  the loan repayment rate of students; and
                     (F)  the employment rate of students;
               (3)  identify the state's future workforce needs, as
  projected by the Texas Workforce Commission; and
               (4)  include annual wage information for the top 10
  highest demand jobs in this state, as identified by the Texas
  Workforce Commission.
         (b)  The agency shall collaborate with the Texas Higher
  Education Coordinating Board and the Texas Workforce Commission to
  obtain the information required under Subsection (a). The agency
  shall incorporate the use of existing materials and develop new
  materials to be provided to counselors, students, and parents
  regarding institutions of higher education.
         SECTION 2.  Subchapter C, Chapter 61, Education Code, is
  amended by adding Section 61.0907 to read as follows:
         Sec. 61.0907.  REPORT PROJECTING WORKFORCE NEEDS. (a) The
  board, in conjunction with the Texas Workforce Commission and in
  consultation with any other state agency as requested by the board
  or the commission, shall collect relevant information and make
  five-year projections concerning:
               (1)  the workforce needs of this state; and
               (2)  the educational attainment and training of persons
  projected to enter the state workforce.
         (b)  Based on the projections made under Subsection (a), the
  board shall identify the types and levels of education, training,
  and skills that are needed to meet the state's future workforce
  needs and shall make recommendations concerning the expansion of
  existing programs or the development of new programs at public and
  private postsecondary educational institutions in this state as
  necessary to meet the projected workforce needs.
         (c)  A postsecondary educational institution may use the
  recommendations made under Subsection (b) in planning for degree
  programs, coursework offerings, and training programs.
         (d)  Not later than February 1, 2015, the board shall prepare
  and submit electronically to each standing legislative committee
  with primary jurisdiction over higher education or workforce
  development, each public and private postsecondary educational
  institution in this state, and the Texas Education Agency a report
  of the information collected and analyzed under this section,
  including recommendations of the board for programming at
  postsecondary educational institutions. The board may provide
  subsequent updates to the report as the board considers necessary.
         (e)  This section expires August 31, 2017.
         SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
  a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
  provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this
  Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
  Act takes effect September 1, 2013.