H.B. No. 33
 
 
 
 
AN ACT
  relating to measures to facilitate the award of postsecondary
  course credit leading to workforce credentialing based on military
  experience, education, and training and to prepare veterans for
  employment in certain industries.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Section 51.3041(b), Education Code, is amended
  to read as follows:
         (b)  An institution of higher education shall consider, in
  determining whether to award to a student course credit toward a
  degree or certificate offered by the institution for the student's
  completion of certain military training:
               (1)  any official military record presented to the
  institution by the student that:
                     (A)  describes the substance of the training
  completed by the student; and
                     (B)  verifies the student's successful completion
  of that training; and
               (2)  whether the substance of that training satisfies
  the purpose of the course for which the student seeks credit as
  described in the institution's course catalog.
         SECTION 2.  Subchapter B, Chapter 132, Education Code, is
  amended by adding Section 132.026 to read as follows:
         Sec. 132.026.  MEASURES TO FACILITATE AWARD OF COURSE CREDIT
  FOR MILITARY SERVICE. (a)  The commission shall evaluate programs
  of study or courses offered by career schools or colleges leading to
  industry-based certifications or other workforce credentials to
  identify programs or courses for which skills obtained through
  military experience, education, and training frequently align.
         (b)  The commission shall publish on its Internet website a
  list of any programs of study or courses identified by the
  commission under this section and the relevant military experience,
  education, or training that may align with those programs or
  courses.
         SECTION 3.  Section 132.055, Education Code, is amended by
  adding Subsection (c) to read as follows:
         (c)  In determining whether to approve a career school or
  college that offers a program of study or course listed on the
  commission's Internet website under Section 132.026(b), in
  addition to the criteria prescribed by Subsection (b) of this
  section, the commission shall require that the career school or
  college provide credit to a student toward any course time required
  for the program of study or course for skills obtained by the
  student through military experience, education, or training,
  unless the school or college can demonstrate that those skills are
  not appropriately aligned with the program of study or course.
         SECTION 4.  Subchapter A, Chapter 434, Government Code, is
  amended by adding Section 434.027 to read as follows:
         Sec. 434.027.  ENERGY INDUSTRY PROGRAM FOR VETERAN
  PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT. (a)  The Texas Veterans Commission shall
  develop and administer a program to provide assistance to veterans
  seeking a certification or training to prepare for employment in
  the energy industry.
         (b)  The commission, in coordination with the General Land
  Office and Veterans' Land Board, shall conduct an outreach campaign
  to encourage veterans to participate in the program established
  under this section.
         (c)  The commission shall adopt rules to implement the
  program established under this section.
         SECTION 5.  Section 302.0031, Labor Code, is amended by
  amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsection (i) to read as
  follows:
         (a)  In this section:
               (1)  "Career school or college" has the meaning
  assigned by Section 132.001, Education Code.
               (2)  "Institution[, "institution] of higher education"
  has the meaning assigned by Section 61.003, Education Code.
         (i)  Under the program, the commission shall identify,
  develop, and support methods to facilitate the award of course time
  credit by career schools or colleges or other private or nonprofit
  entities providing programs of study or courses of instruction
  leading to industry certifications or other workforce credentials
  to veterans and military servicemembers for military experience,
  education, or training obtained during military service for
  programs of study or courses of instruction offered by those
  schools, colleges, or other entities for which skills obtained
  through military experience, education, and training align.
         SECTION 6.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2021.
 
 
  ______________________________ ______________________________
     President of the Senate Speaker of the House     
 
 
         I certify that H.B. No. 33 was passed by the House on April 1,
  2021, by the following vote:  Yeas 148, Nays 0, 1 present, not
  voting; and that the House concurred in Senate amendments to H.B.
  No. 33 on May 12, 2021, by the following vote:  Yeas 144, Nays 1, 1
  present, not voting.
 
  ______________________________
  Chief Clerk of the House   
 
         I certify that H.B. No. 33 was passed by the Senate, with
  amendments, on May 4, 2021, by the following vote:  Yeas 30, Nays 0.
 
  ______________________________
  Secretary of the Senate   
  APPROVED: __________________
                  Date       
   
           __________________
                Governor