Legislative Blog

J.B. Williams, J.D.

5 more bills that modify the Education Code

A Blog about 88th Legislature Laws

A Bit of Background

The following backgrounds help summarize the author's views on both the general topic: Texas and more specifically 88th Legislature Laws as it relates to that topic.

Brief Summary of Texas

Texas is truly a Republic. There are a multitude of items that to modify the state constitution must be modified. So there are times when Constitutional amendments are on the voting ballots. While I sometimes abhor the wording, the concept that all of those legally able to vote in Texas must vote on the change is a good one. And bills in Texas are generally short, making it easier for everyone to understand.

Summary of 88th Legislature Laws

The blogs here will discuss the laws passed by Congress and signed into law, as well as those, passed by Congress and approved by the voters to become law. There are a multitude of laws and each time I post blogs I will notate here the current effective date if it is different from prior blogs. I am currently posting bills that took effect immediately - those bills total 336. I am currently posting regarding larger bills, so each blog covers a single bill.

Blog Summary

HB 1211 - Financial assistance for postsecondary educational institutes

HB 1755 - Creation of the Lone Star Workforce of the Future Funds

HB 1825 - Consumption, possession or sale of alcohol at performing arts facilities owned by schools

HB 1905 - Allowing schools to make available school safety training courses

HB 1912 - Student building fees at the University of Texas at Dallas

5 more bills that modify the Education Code

Published: 2024-11-25

HB 1211

Financial assistance for postsecondary educational institutes

Limits scholarships to the amount of tuition and fees charged to the student.

Mental health professional now also includes a licensed specialist in school psychology.

To be eligible for repayment assistance, a mental health professional must apply; be employed by a school district, open-enrollment charter school or public school receiving specific Federal funding; provides mental health services to students; and have completed 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 consecutive years of practice.

HB 1755

Creation of the Lone Star Workforce of the Future Funds

The purpose is:

1. create and sustain a utilization-driven supply of workers for entry-level and mid-level jobs in high demand in Texas;
2. address and close the gap between the skills needed and the skills available in the workforce;
3. increase the interest filing the available and emerging jobs in Texas that require less education than a bachelor's degree but more than a high school diploma;
4. strengthen the Texas economy by increasing the competitiveness of business in Texas

The Lone Star Workforce of the Future Fund is a dedicated fund with money appropriated by the legislature; interest earned; and gifts, grants, and donations received. The funds shall provide grants to public junior colleges, public technical institutes, and nonprofit organizations. To be eligible they must:

1. lead to skill development required for employment in high demand occupations in at least 1 career field identified by the commission, Texas Workforce Investment Council, or Tri-Agency Workforce Initiative
   1. developed and provided based on consultation with and input from employers who are hiring in a high demand occupations;
   2. create pathways to employment for program participants;
   3. are delivered through classroom based or on line instruction, work based internships, or apprenticeships
2. demonstrate through 3rd party validated data successful outcomes in
   1. recruiting local unemployed and underemployed people;
   2. train individuals wiht skills needed to secure full time employment; and
   3. place individuals in employment in high demand occupations
3. demonstrate the ability to attract at least 40% of the funding from a source that is not state government; and
4. agree
   1. to collaborate with the commission, corporate partners, and nonprofit partners to determine the training programs;
   2. secure support from local business
   3. collaborate with regional employers, public junior colleges, technical institutes, or nonprofits to make available development work-based experiences;
   4. engage local entities and organizations;
   5. provide documentation describing the training offerings, including information necessary to verify the offerings will provide training and lead to knowledge, skills and work-based experiences that are transferable to employment;
   6. comply with any additional grant conditions

There is a 6 member advisory board. One member appointed by the governor; one by the lieutenant governor; one by the speaker of the house; one appointed by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board; one appointed by the commission; and the chair of the commission as the presiding officer. They will meet at least twice each year.

One benchmark that must be met is to successfully transition at least 50% of the training program participants from low wage work or unemployment to full time jobs offering a self-sufficient wage, the opportunity for career mobility, within 6 months of the program completion. Failure to meet this benchmark, or others set by the commission, will require reimbursement.

The commision must report on each program for tracking purposes, as well as determination of how well it is meeting the purpose.

HB 1825

Consumption, possession or sale of alcohol at performing arts facilities owned by schools

The board may allow consumption, possession, or sale of alcohol if the facility is in a county within 2 miles of 2 or more stadiums with a capacity of at least 40,000.

HB 1905

Allowing schools to make available school safety training courses

A school can provide school safety training, including active shooter training, to employees at accredited private schools, child-care, or other organizations providing out-of-school-time care to children under 18. There may not be a fee. The agency may accept gifts, grants, or donations to pay the cost.

HB 1912

Student building fees at the University of Texas at Dallas

Student union fees have been increased from $60 to $100 per student in regular semester and from $40 to $50 per student for summer session.

 

J.B. Williams, J.D.

4,312 federal laws were passed from 1995 through December 2016.
Along with 88,819 federal rules and regulations.