By: Talarico H.B. No. 333       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to establishing a Texas Service Corps to provide student   loan relief, job training, and work experience, in exchange for   providing community service in underserved areas.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Subtitle B, Title 4, Labor Code, is amended by   adding Chapter 318 to read as follows:   CHAPTER 318.  TEXAS SERVICE CORPS          Sec.318.001 ESTABLISHING A TEXAS SERVICE CORPS. (a) It is   hereby established a Texas Service Corps, administered by the Texas   Workforce Commission. The Service Corps shall provide interested   applicants with service opportunities deemed most likely to further   an applicant's stated educational and professional interests. The   services to be provided include, but are not limited to:          (i)  green jobs in service of activities or industries that   contribute substantially to preserving or restoring environmental   quality;          (ii)  health services by applicants with the necessary   qualifications to provide medical, dental, psychological, or other   related services as deemed appropriate by Service Corps   administration;          (iii)  services that benefit the developmental and   educational needs of early childhood; and          (iv)  services that provide exposure to, and participation   in, the Arts or Humanities.          (b)  Individuals who complete a term of service, shall be   eligible for an education grant to be used for either tuition costs   at eligible Texas institutions of higher learning or student loan   repayment.          (c)  Funding for the education grant shall be comprised of   any federal dollars allocated for implementing community service   programs, with necessary additional funding allocated through   Texas budgetary procedures.          (d)  The Texas Service Corps shall, in consultation with   administrative agencies deemed relevant and necessary by the Texas   Legislature, have the following powers and duties:          (i)  to recruit and select Service Corps professionals for   service in eligible institutions, facilities, or professions;          (ii)  to place Service Corps professionals in eligible   institutions and facilities pursuant to agreements with the   appropriate eligible institutions and facilities;          (iii)  to develop criteria for the selection of applicants   for placement under this program including, but not limited to, the   individual's academic achievement, previous work experience in the   relevant industry or related services, a demonstrated interest in   working with vulnerable populations or providing community   service;          (iv)  to accept and expend any grants, awards or other funds   or appropriations as may be available to effectuate the purposes of   this Act subject to the limitations as to the approval of   expenditures and audit as prescribed for state funds by STATE   finance law; and          (v)  to do any and all other things necessary to carry out its   functions, powers and duties and to effectuate the purposes of this   Act.          (e)  The nature and extent of a proposed service project   shall be submitted in writing to the appropriate delegated   oversight entity prior to expending any public funds.          SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives   a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as   provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this   Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this   Act takes effect September 1, 2021.