TITLE: Relating to the establishment of a skilled labor task force by certain local workforce development boards.

SUMMARY: Relating to the establishment of a skilled labor task force by certain local workforce development boards.

FULL TEXT:
AN ACT 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.