Bill Text: TX SB51 | 2011-2012 | 82nd Legislature | Introduced


Bill Title: Relating to a pilot program to expand access to career and technical education partnerships in rural areas.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2011-01-31 - Referred to Agriculture & Rural Affairs [SB51 Detail]

Download: Texas-2011-SB51-Introduced.html
  82R1519 VOO-D
 
  By: Zaffirini S.B. No. 51
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to a pilot program to expand access to career and technical
  education partnerships in rural areas.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Chapter 12, Agriculture Code, is amended by
  adding Section 12.0272 to read as follows:
         Sec. 12.0272.  RURAL WORKFORCE INVESTMENT PILOT PROGRAM.
  (a) In this section:
               (1)  "General academic teaching institution," "public
  junior college," and "public technical institute" have the meanings
  assigned by Section 61.003, Education Code.
               (2)  "Rural area" means:
                     (A)  a county with a population of less than
  100,000; or
                     (B)  a municipality with a population of less than
  50,000.
         (b)  Subject to available funding, the commissioner by rule
  shall develop a rural workforce investment pilot program to issue
  grants for developing partnerships in rural areas among school
  districts, public junior colleges, public technical institutes,
  general academic teaching institutions, and business and industry
  to provide greater access to career and technical education and
  industry certification to high school students in those areas.
         (c)  The department may not issue more than four grants under
  this section in each state fiscal biennium.
         (d)  The department shall coordinate with the Texas
  Workforce Commission, the Texas Higher Education Coordinating
  Board, and the Texas Education Agency in developing the pilot
  program.
         (e)  Students participating in the pilot program may receive
  not more than 60 hours of college credit before high school
  graduation.
         (f)  A local workforce development board authorized by the
  Texas Workforce Commission may apply to participate in the pilot
  program if the workforce development board:
               (1)  serves a rural area of the state; and
               (2)  meets any other qualifications prescribed by the
  commissioner.
         (g)  To receive a grant under this section, an applicant must
  commit public or private funds matching the grant in a percentage
  set by the commissioner. The commissioner shall set the required
  percentage of matching funds based on the demonstrated economic
  capacity of the community served by the program to raise funds for
  the purpose of matching the grant, as determined by the
  commissioner.
         SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
  a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
  provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this
  Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
  Act takes effect September 1, 2011.
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