89R8503 KSD-D     By: Campbell S.B. No. 1631       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to the establishment by the Texas Workforce Commission of   an advanced nuclear energy workforce development program.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Subchapter A, Chapter 302, Labor Code, is   amended by adding Section 302.0081 to read as follows:          Sec. 302.0081.  ADVANCED NUCLEAR ENERGY WORKFORCE   DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM. (a) In this section:                (1)  "Coordinating board" means the Texas Higher   Education Coordinating Board.                (2)  "General academic teaching institution,"   "institution of higher education," "public junior college," and   "public technical institute" have the meanings assigned by Section   61.003, Education Code.                (3)  "Program" means the advanced nuclear energy   workforce development program established under this section.          (b)  The commission, in collaboration with the coordinating   board and in consultation with representatives designated by the   Railroad Commission of Texas to coordinate this state's nuclear   energy strategies, by rule shall establish and administer the   advanced nuclear energy workforce development program under this   section for the purpose of addressing urgent skilled labor demands   in the advanced nuclear energy industry in this state.          (c)  Under the program, the commission shall:                (1)  create a strategic plan for:                      (A)  addressing labor supply gaps and talent   retention issues in the advanced nuclear energy industry; and                      (B)  providing financial assistance, including   through the creation of strategic partnerships among public and   private entities and advanced nuclear energy industry   stakeholders, to incentivize and support:                            (i)  the creation by institutions of higher   education of education and training programs in the field of   advanced nuclear energy; and                            (ii)  research and leadership development in   the field of advanced nuclear energy at general academic teaching   institutions;                (2)  develop customized curriculum requirements for   degree and certificate programs to prepare students for high-wage   jobs in the advanced nuclear energy industry that, subject to   coordinating board approval under Section 61.0512, Education Code,   may be offered by an institution of higher education; and                (3)  implement strategies to:                      (A)  educate students and other individuals   seeking employment in the advanced nuclear energy industry in this   state regarding education and training requirements for jobs in the   industry; and                      (B)  connect students and other individuals   seeking employment in the advanced nuclear energy industry in this   state with industry employers and employment opportunities.          (d)  In developing curriculum requirements under Subsection   (c)(2), the commission shall:                (1)  consult with:                      (A)  representatives of the coordinating board,   general academic teaching institutions, public technical   institutes, and public junior colleges;                      (B)  the designated representatives of the   Railroad Commission of Texas described by Subsection (b); and                      (C)  employers in the advanced nuclear energy   industry; and                (2)  focus on developing curriculum for programs   leading to high-wage jobs in the areas of:                      (A)  nuclear-grade welding;                      (B)  radiological control and monitoring;                      (C)  reactor operations;                      (D)  nuclear instrumentation and control; and                      (E)  nuclear, electrical, chemical, civil, and   environmental engineering.          (e)  Not later than September 1 of each year, the commission,   in consultation with the coordinating board, shall prepare and   submit to each standing committee of the legislature with primary   jurisdiction over workforce development, higher education, or   energy industry matters, a report summarizing the commission's   activities under the program.  The report may include the   commission's recommendations for legislative or other action.          SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.