85R3243 KSD-D     By: Alvarado H.B. No. 108       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to the creation of the Recruit Texas Program to facilitate   the relocation to or expansion in this state of employers offering   complex or high-skilled employment opportunities.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Subtitle B, Title 4, Labor Code, is amended by   adding Chapter 316 to read as follows:   CHAPTER 316. RECRUIT TEXAS PROGRAM          Sec. 316.001.  DEFINITIONS. In this chapter:                (1)  "Program" means the Recruit Texas Program   established under this chapter.                (2)  "Public junior college" and "public technical   institute" have the meanings assigned by Section 61.003, Education   Code.          Sec. 316.002.  RECRUIT TEXAS PROGRAM. (a) The Recruit Texas   Program is established within the commission.          (b)  The purpose of the program is to provide an intensive   and rapid response to, and support services for, employers   expanding in or relocating their operations to this state, with a   focus on recruiting employers who will provide complex or   high-skilled employment opportunities in this state.          (c)  Under the program, the commission shall provide   leadership and direction to, and linkage among, out-of-state   employers, economic development organizations, local workforce   development boards, public junior colleges, and public technical   institutes to address the employers' needs for recruitment and   hiring for complex or high-skilled employment positions as   necessary to facilitate employers' relocation to or expansion of   operations in this state.          Sec. 316.003.  GRANTS.  (a)  Under the program, the   commission may award grants to a public junior college or public   technical institute providing workforce training and related   support services to employers who commit to establishing a place of   business in this state. The grants may be used for:                (1)  developing:                      (A)  customized workforce training programs for   an employer's specific business needs;                      (B)  fast-track curriculum;                      (C)  workforce training-related support services   for employers; or                      (D)  instructor certification necessary to   provide workforce training; and                (2)  acquiring training equipment necessary for   instructor certification and employment.           (b)  The executive director, or a person appointed by the   executive director who is knowledgeable in the administration of   grants, is responsible for the distribution of grant money under   the program.          Sec. 316.004.  FUNDING; USE OF FUNDS.  (a)  The commission,   for the purposes of this section, may use:                (1)  money appropriated to the commission; and                 (2)  money from other appropriate, statutorily   authorized funding sources, including the Jobs and Education for   Texans (JET) Grant Program under Chapter 134, Education Code.          (b)  The commission may commit money under the program to an   out-of-state employer contingent on the employer's establishment   or expansion of business operations in this state.           (c)  Under the program, money may not be used to pay any   training costs or other related costs of an employer to relocate the   employer's worksite from one location in this state to another   location in this state.          Sec. 316.005.  RULES. The commission may adopt rules as   necessary to implement this chapter.          SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2017.