The House Committee on International Relations & Economic Development met on April 14 to take up several bills. This report covers HB 3767 (Murphy) and HB 4176 (Guillen). The notice can be found here.

 

This report is intended to give you an overview and highlight of the discussions on the various topics taken up. It is not a verbatim transcript of the discussions but is based upon what was audible or understandable to the observer and the desire to get details out as quickly as possible with few errors or omissions.

 

Vote Outs

HB 48 (Zwiener) 7-0

HB 3271 (Perez) 7-0

  • New Committee Substitute
  • Explicitly states that the state will have no liability on the loans
  • Clarifying language that programs will be administered by the office of the Governor’s Economic Development Department

HB 3938 (K. Bell) 7-0

 

HB  3767 (Murphy) – Relating to measures to support workforce development in the state, including the establishment of the Tri-Agency Workforce Initiative and additional employer workforce data reporting

  • CS – Work to erase fiscal note
  • Would allow employers to receive data that allows them to develop their workforce
  • Beckley – What is the fiscal note to do? To upgrade computer systems?
    • That is part of it, it provides resources to allow these systems to communicate

 

Todd Williams, CEO of Commit Partnership, For

  • Bill answers questions of what jobs are growing and in what part of the state
  • Provides real time ever evolving information; Texas needs to do a better job in this area

 

Peter Beard, Greater Houston Partnership, For

  • Believe that TEA plays a large role in ensuring that the best workforce possible is obtained
  • Regional economies are being reshaped by technology
  • Believes that it provides the necessary framework for Texas to be successful in obtaining the best workforce in the country

 

Chris Cervini, Austin Community College, On

  • Post-secondary education is more valuable than ever before
  • 95% of new jobs created since recession require some form of post-secondary education
  • Tri-Agency coordination will give community colleges statewide data to evaluate trends
  • Also allows average Texans to evaluate employment opportunities

 

John Hryhorchuk, Texas 2036, For

  • Has worked closely with agencies in order to ensure that cost issues are addressed
  • Chairwoman Button – Have you thought about private funding to assist with the cost issues?
    • Yes, this does not merge the agencies and their funding, one item in the note allows for private and federal funding
    • To simplify, the bill is consolidating information for students to make employment decisions?
      • Yes, it also provides information for educators and legislators

 

Mark Sherry, Baylor Scott & White, For

  • BS&W has seen an increase in job openings across the system
  • Supports in order to keep Texas economically competitive
  • Will continue to strengthen workforce pipeline to work towards common goals of the state

 

Mike Moroney, Texas Association of Manufacturers, For

  • There is a lot of data that is being collected but is not being shared for the public’s benefit
  • Helps institutions make more well-informed decisions

 

Carrie Balas, TWC, Resource

  • Button – What would be TWC’s strategy to implement the requirements of this bill
    • Over the past year, we reached out to employers, colleges, school districts, etc. to hear concerns
    • Largest concern was the need to focus on pathways, have created a plan to implement this at every age level
    • Look to provide students with quality information to make good decisions on college and employment opportunities
  • Button – TWC has confidence that they will overcome the barriers?
    • We see it as a challenge, but I believe that we are ready
    • Can ensure that TWC would do everything that they can to reduce the fiscal note

 

Rep. Murphy closes

  • These witnesses are experts, and they all want to coordinate their efforts as outlined
  • The employers are critically concerned with where their workforce will come from
  • This information is for employers, employees, parents, educators, etc.

 

HB 3767 left pending

 

HB 4176 (Guillen) – Relating to performance criteria for the award of certain adult education and literacy funds

  • Will improve adult education by setting goals and improving outcomes
  • Sets enrollment target of 25%

 

HB 4176 left pending