HBA-JLV H.B. 2593 77(R)BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 2593
By: Chavez
Economic Development
7/17/2001
Enrolled



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

The U.S. Senate passed the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) on
November 20, 1993. NAFTA went into effect January 1, 1994, establishing
free and open trading borders between the United States, Mexico, and
Canada.  This agreement was designed to change the nature of trade among
its partners, creating U.S. jobs and increasing import-export activity.
With the increasing impact of NAFTA and other changes in the state economy,
the Texas job market is shifting toward high tech positions requiring a
skilled labor force.  According to the Texas Workforce Commission's Texas
Labor Market Review, the demand for computer-related occupations will
continue to increase as a result of the advances in computer technology and
the continuing demand for new computer applications.  Workers skilled in
computer technology will continue to be needed across all industries.
House Bill 2593 authorizes the Texas Workforce Commission to establish and
implement a pilot program for technology training for certain persons.   

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that rulemaking
authority is expressly delegated to the Texas Workforce Commission in
SECTION 1 (Section 301.0674, Labor Code) of this bill. 

ANALYSIS

House Bill 2593 amends the Labor Code to authorize the Texas Workforce
Commission (TWC), by rule, to establish and implement a pilot program to
provide, or through competitive grants, contract with other persons to
provide adult technology training for residents of the state who are
first-generation citizens of the United States or who are displaced workers
as a result of the North American Free Trade Agreement or other changes in
the state economy.  The bill authorizes the pilot program to be established
to provide training in an urban community, a rural community, and a
community in the region of the state that borders the United Mexican
States.   

The bill authorizes TWC  to obtain funds for the pilot program, to the
extent possible, from the telecommunications infrastructure fund, the
federal government, and private corporate partners.  TWC may, not later
than December 1 of each year, submit a report to the governor and the
members of the legislature regarding the status and results of the pilot
program.  The bill expires September 1, 2005. 

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2001.