Relating to the establishment of a skilled labor task force by certain local workforce development boards.
relating to the establishment of a skilled labor task force by
certain local workforce development boards.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter G, Chapter 2308, Government Code, is
amended by adding Section 2308.321 to read as follows:
Sec. 2308.321. ESTABLISHMENT OF SKILLED LABOR TASK FORCE BY
CERTAIN BOARDS. (a) This section applies only to a board
established in a county with a population of 400,000 or more that
borders the Gulf of Mexico.
(b) A board to which this section applies shall establish a
skilled labor task force consisting of 17 members from the board’s
local workforce development area appointed by the board as follows:
(1) three members who are local government officials;
(2) three members representing public postsecondary
education and vocational education;
(3) one member representing a public school district;
(4) one member representing the district attorney’s
office;
(5) five members who are local business leaders with
expertise regarding the local labor market;
(6) two members representing the public; and
(7) two ex officio nonvoting members who are members
of the legislature:
(A) one of whom is appointed by the lieutenant
governor; and
(B) one of whom is appointed by the speaker of the
house of representatives.
(c) A person may not serve on the board and skilled labor
task force concurrently.
(d) A board to which this section applies shall appoint a
member of the skilled labor task force to serve as the task force’s
presiding officer.
(e) A skilled labor task force established under this
section shall study and develop recommendations for the legislature
and board regarding strategies for:
(1) improving the delivery of workforce education and
workforce training and services in the board’s local workforce
development area;
(2) addressing current and future skills gaps in the
area;
(3) assisting at-risk teenagers and young adults in
preparing for career employment; and
(4) ensuring the area has a sufficiently trained
workforce to meet local industry needs.
(f) A skilled labor task force member is not entitled to
compensation or reimbursement for expenses.
(g) A board to which this section applies shall provide
administrative support to the board’s skilled labor task force as
necessary to assist the task force in conducting meetings and
preparing reports required by this section.
(h) A skilled labor task force established under this
section shall meet not later than the 30th day after the date the
last initial appointment to the task force is made. The task force
shall meet at least quarterly as necessary at the call of the
presiding officer and may communicate regularly with the board to
provide information and make recommendations outside the task
force’s biennial report under Subsection (i).
(i) Not later than December 1 of each even-numbered year, a
skilled labor task force established under this section shall
submit to the governor, the lieutenant governor, the speaker of the
house of representatives, and the board a written report of the task
force’s findings and recommendations for legislative or board
action.
(j) A skilled labor task force established under this
section is abolished and this section expires September 1, 2029.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.
