HBA-SEP H.B. 2327 77(R)BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 2327
By: Solis, Jim
Economic Development
4/11/2001
Committee Report (Amended)



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

During the interim, the House Committee on Economic Development of the 76th
Legislature was charged to assess the strengths and weaknesses of local
workforce development boards (boards) and their capacity to provide
effective training and services.  The committee recommended providing
boards with the use of state resources by directing the Texas Workforce
Commission (TWC) to require boards to participate in outreach activities in
order for boards and their staffs to become proficient in the
administration and operation of their workforce centers, to develop a
detailed and understandable plan for the boards regarding the sanction
process, and  to develop a plan addressing the lack of local service
providers participating in particular board areas.  House Bill 2327
implements these recommendations.   

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does
not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, department, agency, or institution. 

ANALYSIS

House Bill 2327 amends the Labor Code to provide that training for local
workforce development board (board) members must include training for Texas
Workforce Commission (TWC) and board employees regarding the collection and
analysis of data in the TWC's reporting and information system for
performance reports.  The bill requires TWC to require boards to
participate in outreach activities provided and designed by TWC to allow
board members and employees to become more proficient in the administration
and operation of local workforce development activities.  The bill requires
TWC to adopt policies establishing the number of outreach activities in
which a board is required to participate.  TWC is also required to adopt a
detailed and understandable sanctions plan to be used by boards in the
implementation of the sanction process.  The bill provides that such a plan
must include a requirement that TWC provide technical assistance to the
boards in avoiding or responding to sanctions and specific provisions
regarding the time in which a board is allowed to address concerns and
improve the board's performance.   

TWC is required to adopt a plan to address the lack of service providers
(provider) in specific local workforce development areas that includes
provisions: 

_for offering incentives to attract exceptional providers and to encourage
these providers to assist in improving the practices of other providers;  

_relating to the imposition of sanctions by a board against a provider; and 

_under certain circumstances, requiring TWC to provide services until a
provider is designated.   

TWC is also required to collaborate with boards when determining the use of
funds at the local level and to develop funding guidelines and strategies
allowing boards to exercise flexibility in identifying and  addressing the
needs of persons who live in remote areas or who face other barriers to
employment.  TWC is required to evaluate and adjust, if necessary, the use
of TWC's full-time employees in providing assistance to boards.   

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2001.

EXPLANATION OF AMENDMENTS

Committee Amendment No. 1  provides that training for local workforce
development board (board) members and employees regarding the collection
and analysis of data in the Texas Workforce Commission's (TWC) reporting
and information system for performance reports need not include training
for TWC employees.