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


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 2327
By: Solis, Jim
Economic Development
6/14/2001
Enrolled



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 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.