H.B. No. 120         AN ACT   relating to college, career, and military readiness in public   schools, including career and technology education programs, the   Financial Aid for Swift Transfer (FAST) program, and the Rural   Pathway Excellence Partnership (R-PEP) program, funding for those   programs under the Foundation School Program, and workforce   reporting to support those programs, to the public school   accountability system, and to the new instructional facility   allotment and the permissible uses of funding under the Foundation   School Program.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Section 4.002, Education Code, is amended to   read as follows:          Sec. 4.002.  PUBLIC EDUCATION ACADEMIC GOALS.  To serve as a   foundation for a well-balanced and appropriate education:                GOAL 1:  The students in the public education system   will demonstrate exemplary performance in the reading and writing   of the English language.                GOAL 2:  The students in the public education system   will demonstrate exemplary performance in the understanding of   mathematics.                GOAL 3:  The students in the public education system   will demonstrate exemplary performance in the understanding of   science.                GOAL 4:  The students in the public education system   will demonstrate exemplary performance in the understanding of   social studies.                GOAL 5: The students who graduate high school in the   public education system will have the skills and credentials   necessary to immediately enter this state's workforce.                GOAL 6: The students who graduate high school in the   public education system and who elect to pursue postsecondary   education will be ready for postsecondary coursework without the   need for remediation.          SECTION 2.  Subchapter B, Chapter 7, Education Code, is   amended by adding Sections 7.0405 and 7.043 to read as follows:          Sec. 7.0405.  POSTING OF POSTSECONDARY OUTCOMES. (a)   Subject to Subsection (b), the agency shall post on the agency's   Internet website the following de-identified data, disaggregated   by school district or open-enrollment charter school, high school   campus, and annual cohort for the 10 most recent annual cohorts:                (1)  for students who graduate from high school:                      (A)  the number and percentage of students who   enroll in, enroll in remedial postsecondary coursework as part of,   persist for at least one year in, or complete a postsecondary   degree, certificate, or other credentialing program, disaggregated   by program and postsecondary educational institution; and                      (B)  employment status, occupation, industry,   wage, and county of employment and residence, as reported under   Section 204.0025, Labor Code; and                (2)  for students who did not graduate from high   school:                      (A)  the highest grade level completed;                      (B)  for each cohort for which data is available,   employment status, occupation, industry, wage, and county of   employment and residence, as reported under Section 204.0025, Labor   Code; and                      (C)  whether the student has earned a high school   equivalency certificate.          (a-1)  The agency is required to provide data regarding   students who graduate from high school and enroll in remedial   postsecondary coursework as part of a postsecondary degree,   certificate, or other credentialing program under Subsection   (a)(1)(A) only to the extent that data is available.          (b)  The agency shall post the data required under Subsection   (a) in a manner that complies with the Family Educational Rights and   Privacy Act of 1974 (20 U.S.C. Section 1232g) and may, if necessary   to comply with that act, create a private portal for school district   board of trustees or open-enrollment charter school governing body   members, school administrators, and school counselors at a high   school to access data for the member's, administrator's, or   counselor's school district or open-enrollment charter school.          (c)  The agency shall ensure the data posted under Subsection   (a) is made available to:                (1)  school district board of trustees and   open-enrollment charter school governing body members and   superintendents to assist in adopting college, career, and military   readiness plans under Section 11.186; and                (2)  school counselors at a high school to assist the   counselors in performing the duties under Section 33.007.          Sec. 7.043.  STATEWIDE GOAL FOR CAREER READINESS. (a) Using   the data posted under Section 7.0405(a), the agency shall create a   quantifiable statewide goal for public school students to achieve   career readiness, including by attaining a workforce-aligned   credential while in high school.          (b)  The agency shall update the goal created under   Subsection (a) at least once every five years.          SECTION 3.  Section 11.186, Education Code, is amended by   amending Subsections (b) and (c) and adding Subsections (d), (e),   and (f) to read as follows:          (b)  Each plan adopted under Subsection (a) must:                (1)  identify annual goals for students in each group   evaluated under the closing the gaps domain under Section   39.053(c)(3);                (2)  include an annual goal [goals] for aggregate   student growth on each college, career, and military readiness   indicator [indicators] evaluated under the student achievement   domain under Section 39.053(c)(1);                (3)  include specific annual goals for student   completion while enrolled in high school of postsecondary   credentials, including industry-based credentials, level one or   level two certificates, and associate degrees, prioritizing   credentials identified in the long-range master plan for higher   education established under Section 61.051 and the performance tier   funding for public junior colleges for credentials of value under   Section 130A.101;                (4)  include annual goals for the outcomes of the   district's annual graduates at one, three, and five years after   graduation from high school, including goals for:                      (A)  the rate of enrollment at a postsecondary   educational institution;                      (B)  the percentage of graduates who enroll at a   postsecondary educational institution and do not require remedial   postsecondary coursework;                      (C)  the rate of persistence at a postsecondary   educational institution in each of the first two years of   enrollment;                      (D)  the rate of completion of a postsecondary   degree, certificate, or other credentialing program; and                      (E)  wages earned;                (5)  assign at least one district-level administrator   or employee of the regional education service center for the   district's region to:                      (A)  coordinate implementation of the plan; and                      (B)  submit an annual report to the board of   trustees, the agency, and the Legislative Budget Board on the   district's performance and progress toward the goals set under the   plan; and                (6) [(4)]  be reviewed and approved by majority vote   annually by the board of trustees at a public meeting.          (c)  In identifying and including goals in each plan adopted   under Subsection (a) as provided by Subsection (b), the board of   trustees shall use longitudinal student outcomes data posted under   Section 7.0405(a) and any other resources available to the board.          (d)  A school district shall post the annual report described   by Subsection (b)(5)(B) [(b)(3)(B)] on the district's Internet   website and on the Internet website, if any, of each campus in the   district not later than two weeks before the date of the public   meeting at which the report is reviewed and approved as required by   Subsection (b)(6).  The district shall update the annual report on   each Internet website if any modifications are made to the report by   the board of trustees.          (e)  The commissioner by rule shall establish a deadline for   the submission of the annual reports described by Subsection   (b)(5)(B). The agency shall compile and make publicly accessible on   the agency's Internet website the annual reports.          (f)  The agency may evaluate the goals identified or included   in an annual report described by Subsection (b)(5)(B) to determine   whether those goals align with state secondary, postsecondary, and   workforce goals.          SECTION 4.  Section 28.0095, Education Code, is amended by   adding Subsection (c-1) to read as follows:          (c-1)  Notwithstanding Subsection (c)(1)(A), a student   otherwise described by Subsection (c) is eligible to enroll at no   cost in a dual credit course under the program if the student has   graduated from high school but is:                (1)  enrolled in a school district or open-enrollment   charter school at a campus designated as a P-TECH school under   Section 29.556 or in a school district participating in a   partnership under Section 29.912; and                (2)  completing a course of study offered through an   articulation agreement or memorandum of understanding with an   institution of higher education and the district or school   described by Subdivision (1), as applicable, under the Pathways in   Technology Early College High School (P-TECH) program under   Subchapter N, Chapter 29, or the Rural Pathway Excellence   Partnership (R-PEP) program under Section 29.912.          SECTION 5.  Section 29.182(b), Education Code, is amended to   read as follows:          (b)  The state plan must include procedures designed to   ensure that:                (1)  all secondary and postsecondary students have the   opportunity to participate in career and technology education   programs;                (2)  the state complies with requirements for   supplemental federal career and technology education funding;                (3)  career and technology education is established as   a part of the total education system of this state and constitutes   an option for student learning that provides a rigorous course of   study consistent with the required curriculum under Section 28.002   and under which a student may receive specific education in a career   and technology program that:                      (A)  incorporates competencies leading to   academic and technical skill attainment;                      (B)  leads to:                            (i)  an industry-recognized license,   credential, or certificate; or                            (ii)  at the postsecondary level, an   associate or baccalaureate degree;                      (C)  includes opportunities for students to earn   college credit for coursework; and                      (D)  includes, as an integral part of the program,   participation by students and teachers in activities of career and   technical student organizations supported by the agency and the   State Board of Education; [and]                (4)  a school district provides, to the greatest extent   possible, to a student participating in a career and technology   education program opportunities to enroll in dual credit courses   designed to lead to a degree, license, or certification as part of   the program; and                (5)  a course of study offered under a Junior Reserve   Officers' Training Corps program established under 10 U.S.C.   Section 2031 is considered a career and technology education   program.          SECTION 6.  Sections 29.190(a-1), (b), and (c), Education   Code, are amended to read as follows:          (a-1)  A student may not receive more than two subsidies [one   subsidy] under this section.          (b)  A teacher is entitled to a subsidy under this section if   the teacher passes a certification examination related to career   and technology education [cybersecurity].          (c)  On approval by the commissioner, the agency shall pay   each school district an amount equal to the cost paid by the   district for a certification examination under this section,   including any costs paid for associated fingerprinting or criminal   history record information review.  To obtain reimbursement for a   subsidy paid under this section, a district must:                (1)  pay the costs described by this subsection [fee   for the examination]; and                (2)  submit to the commissioner a written application   on a form prescribed by the commissioner stating the amount of the   costs [fee] paid under Subdivision (1) [for the certification   examination].          SECTION 7.  Subchapter Z, Chapter 29, Education Code, is   amended by adding Section 29.9017 to read as follows:          Sec. 29.9017.  NOTICE REGARDING MILITARY-RELATED TRAINING   PROGRAMS. (a) As part of the high school registration process and   annually, a school district or open-enrollment charter school shall   notify the parent or guardian of each student enrolled in a Junior   Reserve Officers' Training Corps program established under 10   U.S.C. Section 2031 regarding any early registration or scholarship   program available to students in military-related training   programs.          (b)  The notice required under Subsection (a) must provide   the student's parent or guardian with the option to share the   student's data with one or more public institutions of higher   education for the purpose of learning about any opportunity to   participate in an early registration or scholarship program   described by Subsection (a), including:                (1)  the student's directory contact information;                (2)  the student's education records; or                (3)  any other information prescribed by the agency, in   coordination with the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board,   that would allow the student to learn about an opportunity to   participate in military-related training programs at public   institutions of higher education, including financial aid or   scholarship programs.          SECTION 8.  Section 29.912, Education Code, is amended by   adding Subsection (c-1) and amending Subsection (j) to read as   follows:          (c-1)  A school district that has participated in the program   may continue to participate in the program regardless of the number   of students in average daily attendance in the district for the   current school year.          (j)  The commissioner shall make grants available for use by   a coordinating entity for a two-year period to assist with costs   associated with the planning, development, establishment, or   expansion, as applicable, of partnerships under the program using   [a portion of state funds allocated under Section 48.118 as well as]   money appropriated for that purpose, federal funds, and any other   funds available.  The commissioner may award a grant only to a   coordinating entity that has entered into a performance agreement   approved under Subsection (i) or, if in the planning stage, has   entered into a memorandum of understanding to enter into a   performance agreement, unless the source of funds does not permit a   grant to the coordinating entity, in which case the grant shall be   made to a participating school district acting as fiscal agent.   Eligible use of grant funds shall include planning, development,   establishment, or expansion of partnerships under the program.  The   commissioner may use not more than 15 percent of the money allocated   for the grants to cover the cost of administering grants awarded   under the program and to provide technical assistance and support   to partnerships under the program.  The total amount of grants   awarded under this subsection for a school year may not exceed $5   million.          SECTION 9.  Section 33.007, Education Code, is amended by   amending Subsection (b) and adding Subsection (d) to read as   follows:          (b)  During the first school year a student is enrolled in a   high school or at the high school level in an open-enrollment   charter school, and again during each year of a student's   enrollment in high school or at the high school level, a school   counselor shall provide information about postsecondary education   to the student and the student's parent or guardian.  The   information must include information regarding:                (1)  the importance of postsecondary education,   including:                      (A)  career readiness and workforce training   opportunities; and                      (B)  a link to the My Texas Future Internet   website and information regarding how to create a profile on that   website;                (2)  the advantages of earning an endorsement and a   performance acknowledgment and completing the distinguished level   of achievement under the foundation high school program under   Section 28.025;                (3)  the disadvantages of taking courses to prepare for   a high school equivalency examination relative to the benefits of   taking courses leading to a high school diploma;                (4)  financial aid eligibility;                (5)  instruction on how to apply for federal financial   aid;                (6)  the center for financial aid information   established under Section 61.0776;                (7)  the automatic admission of certain students to   general academic teaching institutions as provided by Section   51.803;                (8)  the eligibility and academic performance   requirements for the TEXAS Grant as provided by Subchapter M,   Chapter 56;                (9)  the availability of programs in the district under   which a student may earn college credit, including advanced   placement programs, dual credit programs, joint high school and   college credit programs, and international baccalaureate programs;                (10)  the availability of education and training   vouchers and tuition and fee waivers to attend an institution of   higher education as provided by Section 54.366 for a student who is   or was previously in the conservatorship of the Department of   Family and Protective Services; [and]                (11)  the availability of college credit awarded by   institutions of higher education to veterans and military   servicemembers for military experience, education, and training   obtained during military service as described by the informational   materials developed under Section 302.0031(h), Labor Code;                (12)  opportunities to complete career training and   obtain a postsecondary credential while enrolled in high school,   whether at the student's campus, another campus in the school   district or open-enrollment charter school, or an educational   institution that partners with the district or school, including:                      (A)  information regarding program costs, program   completion rates, and the average wages of students who complete   the program; and                      (B)  the availability of information regarding   those opportunities on the My Texas Future Internet website; and                (13)  the outcomes of graduates from the campus and   school district or open-enrollment charter school in which the   student is enrolled, including completion rates and average wages   based on postsecondary pathways available to those graduates at the   campus, district, or school using data posted under Section   7.0405(a) or available on the My Texas Future Internet website.          (d)  The agency shall make available to school counselors an   annual online training regarding statewide trends identified in the   data posted under Section 7.0405(a) or available on the My Texas   Future Internet website. The training must include information to   assist school counselors in identifying the postsecondary outcomes   for students at the counselor's campus and school district or   open-enrollment charter school for purposes of performing the   counselor's duties under this section.  The agency may make the   training or other resources provided by the Texas Higher Education   Coordinating Board available through the Texas OnCourse Internet   website.          SECTION 10.  The heading to Section 39.0261, Education Code,   is amended to read as follows:          Sec. 39.0261.  COLLEGE PREPARATION AND CAREER READINESS   ASSESSMENTS.          SECTION 11.  Section 39.0261(a), Education Code, is amended   to read as follows:          (a)  In addition to the assessment instruments otherwise   authorized or required by this subchapter:                (1)  each school year and at state cost, a school   district may administer to students in the spring of the eighth   grade an established, valid, reliable, and nationally   norm-referenced preliminary college preparation assessment   instrument for the purpose of diagnosing the academic strengths and   deficiencies of students before entrance into high school;                (2)  each school year and at state cost, a school   district may administer to students in the 10th grade an   established, valid, reliable, and nationally norm-referenced   preliminary college preparation assessment instrument for the   purpose of measuring a student's progress toward readiness for   college and the workplace; and                (3)  high school students in the spring of the 11th   grade or during the 12th grade may select and take once, at state   cost:                      (A)  one of the valid, reliable, and nationally   norm-referenced assessment instruments used by colleges and   universities as part of their undergraduate admissions processes;   [or]                      (B)  the assessment instrument designated by the   Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board under Section 51.334; or                      (C)  a nationally recognized career readiness   assessment instrument that measures foundational workforce skills   approved by commissioner rule.          SECTION 12.  Section 45.105(c), Education Code, is amended   to read as follows:          (c)  Local school funds from district taxes, tuition fees of   students not entitled to a free education, other local sources, and   state funds not designated for a specific purpose may be used for   the purposes listed for state and county available funds and for   purchasing appliances and supplies, paying insurance premiums,   paying janitors and other employees, buying school sites, buying,   building, repairing, and renting school buildings, including   acquiring school buildings and sites by leasing through annual   payments with an ultimate option to purchase, providing advising   support as described by Section 48.0035(1), and educating students   as described by Section 48.0035(2), and, except as provided by   Subsection (c-1), for other purposes necessary in the conduct of   the public schools determined by the board of trustees. The   accounts and vouchers for county districts must be approved by the   county superintendent. If the state available school fund in any   municipality or district is sufficient to maintain the schools in   any year for at least eight months and leave a surplus, the surplus   may be spent for the purposes listed in this subsection.          SECTION 13.  Section 48.003(a), Education Code, is amended   to read as follows:          (a)  A student is entitled to the benefits of the Foundation   School Program if, on September 1 of the school year, the student:                (1)  is 5 years of age or older and under 21 years of age   and:                      (A)  has not graduated from high school; or                      (B)  has graduated from high school but is:                            (i)  enrolled in a school district at a   campus designated as a P-TECH school under Section 29.556 or in a   school district participating in a partnership under Section   29.912; and                            (ii)  completing a course of study offered   through an articulation agreement or memorandum of understanding   with an institution of higher education, as defined by Section   61.003, and the district described by Subparagraph (i), as   applicable, under the Pathways in Technology Early College High   School (P-TECH) program under Subchapter N, Chapter 29, and the   Rural Pathway Excellence Partnership (R-PEP) program under Section   29.912, regardless of whether the student is enrolled in the   district providing the course of study;                (2)  [, or] is at least 21 years of age and under 26   years of age and has been admitted by a school district to complete   the requirements for a high school diploma; or                (3) [(2)]  is at least 18 years of age and under 50   years of age and is enrolled in an adult education program provided   under the adult high school charter school program under Subchapter   G, Chapter 12.          SECTION 14.  Subchapter A, Chapter 48, Education Code, is   amended by adding Section 48.0035 to read as follows:          Sec. 48.0035.  USE OF FUNDING FOR CERTAIN PURPOSES. A school   district may use funding to which the district is entitled under   this chapter to:                (1)  provide district graduates, during the first two   years after high school graduation, advising support toward the   successful completion of a certificate or degree program at a   public institution of higher education or a postsecondary   vocational training program; and                (2)  educate a student who has graduated from high   school but is enrolled in the district in a program through which   the student may earn dual credit, including the Pathways in   Technology Early College High School (P-TECH) program under   Subchapter N, Chapter 29, and the Rural Pathway Excellence   Partnership (R-PEP) program under Section 29.912.          SECTION 15.  Section 48.106(a-1), Education Code, is amended   to read as follows:          (a-1)  In addition to the amounts under Subsection (a), [for   each student in average daily attendance,] a district is entitled   to $150 [$50] for each [of the following in which the] student in   average daily attendance who [is enrolled]:                (1)  is enrolled in a campus designated as a P-TECH   school under Section 29.556; or                (2)  completes a course of study offered under the   Pathways in Technology Early College High School (P-TECH) program   under Subchapter N, Chapter 29, or the Rural Pathway Excellence   Partnership (R-PEP) program under Section 29.912, regardless of   whether the student is enrolled in the district that provides the   course of study [a campus that is a member of the New Tech Network   and that focuses on project-based learning and work-based   education].          SECTION 16.  Sections 48.106(b)(1) and (1-a), Education   Code, are amended to read as follows:                (1)  "Approved career and technology education   program":                      (A)  means:                            (i)  a sequence of career and technology   education courses, including technology applications courses,   authorized by the State Board of Education; and                            (ii)  courses offered under a Junior Reserve   Officers' Training Corps program established under 10 U.S.C.   Section 2031; and                      (B)  includes only courses that qualify for high   school credit.                (1-a)  "Approved program of study" means a course   sequence that:                      (A)  provides students with the knowledge and   skills necessary for success in the students' chosen careers,   including the military; and                      (B)  is approved by the agency for purposes of the   Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century   Act (Pub. L. No. 115-224).          SECTION 17.  Section 48.118, Education Code, is amended by   adding Subsection (a-3) and amending Subsection (f) to read as   follows:          (a-3)  Notwithstanding Subsection (a), a school district   described by Section 29.912(c-1) may receive funding under this   section for up to 110 percent of the number of students who   qualified under Subsection (a) for the school year immediately   preceding the school year in which the district's enrollment first   reached 1,600 or more.          (f)  The total amount of state funding for allotments and   outcomes bonuses under this section may not exceed $20 [$5] million   per year.  If the total amount of allotments and outcomes bonuses to   which school districts are entitled under this section exceeds the   amount permitted under this subsection, the agency shall allocate   state funding to districts under this section in the following   order:                (1)  [allotments under Subsection (a) for which school   districts participating in partnerships prioritized under Section   29.912(h) are eligible;                [(2)]  allotments under Subsection (a) for which school   districts that entered into a memorandum of understanding or letter   of commitment regarding a multidistrict pathway partnership, as   defined by commissioner rule, before May 1, 2023, are eligible;                (2) [(3)]  allotments under Subsection (a) for which   school districts that have entered into a performance agreement   under Section 29.912 with a coordinating entity that is an   institution of higher education, as defined by Section 61.003, are   eligible;                (3) [(4)]  allotments under Subsection (a) for which   school districts with the highest percentage of students who are   educationally disadvantaged, in descending order, are eligible;   and                (4) [(5)]  outcomes bonuses under Subsection (c) for   which school districts with the highest percentage of students who   are educationally disadvantaged, in descending order, are   eligible.          SECTION 18.  Section 48.152(a)(2), Education Code, is   amended to read as follows:                (2)  "New instructional facility" includes:                      (A)  a newly constructed instructional facility;                      (B)  a repurposed instructional facility; [and]                      (C)  a leased facility operating for the first   time as an instructional facility with a minimum lease term of not   less than 10 years; and                      (D)  a renovated portion of an instructional   facility to be used for the first time to provide high-cost and   undersubscribed career and technology education programs, as   determined by the commissioner.          SECTION 19.  Section 48.152(f), Education Code, is amended   to read as follows:          (f)  The amount appropriated for allotments under this   section may not exceed $150 [$100] million in a school year.  If the   total amount of allotments to which districts are entitled under   this section for a school year exceeds the amount appropriated   under this subsection, the commissioner:                (1)  shall reduce each district's allotment under this   section in the manner provided by Section 48.266(f); and                (2)  for new instructional facilities described by   Subsection (a)(2)(D), may remove a career and technology education   program from the list of programs that qualify under that   subsection.          SECTION 20.  The heading to Section 48.155, Education Code,   is amended to read as follows:          Sec. 48.155.  COLLEGE PREPARATION AND CAREER READINESS   ASSESSMENT REIMBURSEMENT.          SECTION 21.  Section 48.156, Education Code, is amended to   read as follows:          Sec. 48.156.  CERTIFICATION EXAMINATION REIMBURSEMENT. (a)     A school district is entitled to reimbursement for the amount of a   subsidy paid by the district for not more than two [a student's]   certification examinations per student [examination] under Section   29.190(a), including costs paid for associated fingerprinting or   criminal history record information review, as provided by Section   29.190(c).          (b)  Notwithstanding Subsection (a), the total amount that   may be used for reimbursement under that subsection for a school   year may not exceed $20 million, of which not more than $500,000 may   be used to reimburse the costs of fingerprinting or criminal   history record information review. If the total amount to which   school districts are entitled under Subsection (a) exceeds the   amount permitted under this subsection, the commissioner shall   proportionately reduce each school district's entitlement under   this section.          SECTION 22.  (a)  This section takes effect only if S.B.   1786, 89th Legislature, Regular Session, 2025, becomes law.          (b)  Section 204.0025, Labor Code, is amended to read as   follows:          Sec. 204.0025.  ADDITIONAL WORKFORCE DATA REPORTING. The   commission shall [It is the intent of the legislature that the   commission, subject to the availability of federal funding or other   resources for the purpose,] work with employers to enhance the   reporting of employment and earnings data by employers to the   commission as part of an employer's routine wage filings under this   subtitle or commission rule and consistent with federal law and   regulations. The enhanced wage filings must include information   related to wage, industry, occupational field, full-time and   part-time status, county of primary employment, remote work status,   [occupation] and other important employment information necessary   to conduct the assessment required under Section 302.0205 [that   would improve the state's labor market information].          SECTION 23.  (a)  This section takes effect only if S.B.   1786, 89th Legislature, Regular Session, 2025, does not become law.          (b)  Section 204.0025, Labor Code, is amended to read as   follows:          Sec. 204.0025.  ADDITIONAL WORKFORCE DATA REPORTING. The   commission shall [It is the intent of the legislature that the   commission, subject to the availability of federal funding or other   resources for the purpose,] work with employers to enhance the   reporting of employment and earnings data by employers to the   commission as part of an employer's routine wage filings under this   subtitle or commission rule and consistent with federal law and   regulations. The enhanced wage filings must include information   related to wage, industry, occupational field, full-time and   part-time status, county of primary employment, remote work status,   [occupation] and other important employment information that would   improve the state's labor market information.          SECTION 24.  The heading to Section 312.003, Labor Code, is   amended to read as follows:          Sec. 312.003.  INVENTORY OF CERTIFICATIONS [CREDENTIALS AND   CERTIFICATES].          SECTION 25.  Sections 312.003(a), (b), (c), and (d), Labor   Code, are amended to read as follows:          (a)  The advisory council shall develop an inventory of   industry-recognized certifications [credentials and certificates]   that may be earned by a public high school student through a career   and technology education program and that:                (1)  are aligned to state and regional workforce needs;   and                (2)  serve as an entry point to middle- and high-wage   jobs.          (b)  The inventory must include for each certification   [credential or certificate]:                (1)  the associated career cluster;                (2)  the awarding entity;                (3)  the level of education required and any additional   requirements for the certification [credential or certificate];                (4)  any fees for obtaining the certification   [credential or certificate]; and                (5)  the average wage or salary for jobs that require or   prefer the certification [credential or certificate].          (c)  In developing the inventory, the advisory council may   consult with local workforce boards, the Texas Workforce Investment   Council, the Texas Economic Development and Tourism Office, the   Texas Education Agency, and the Texas Higher Education Coordinating   Board.          (d)  The advisory council shall establish a process for   developing the inventory, including the criteria for the inclusion   of a certification [credential or certificate] in the inventory.          SECTION 26.  Section 29.912(h), Education Code, is repealed.          SECTION 27.  The Texas Education Agency shall first update   the statewide goal for career readiness created under Section   7.043(a), Education Code, as added by this Act, in accordance with   Subsection (b) of that section not later than the 2028-2029 school   year.          SECTION 28.  Section 28.0095(c-1), Education Code, as added   by this Act, and Sections 29.190, 29.912, 33.007(b), and   39.0261(a), Education Code, as amended by this Act, apply beginning   with the 2025-2026 school year.          SECTION 29.  To the extent of any conflict, this Act prevails   over another Act of the 89th Legislature, Regular Session, 2025.          SECTION 30.  (a)  Except as provided by Subsection (b) of   this section and as otherwise provided by this Act, 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,   2025.          (b)  The amendments by this Act to Chapter 48, Education   Code, take effect September 1, 2025.       ______________________________ ______________________________      President of the Senate Speaker of the House                   I certify that H.B. No. 120 was passed by the House on April   16, 2025, by the following vote:  Yeas 144, Nays 1, 1 present, not   voting; and that the House concurred in Senate amendments to H.B.   No. 120 on May 28, 2025, by the following vote:  Yeas 116, Nays 6, 1   present, not voting.     ______________________________   Chief Clerk of the House               I certify that H.B. No. 120 was passed by the Senate, with   amendments, on May 25, 2025, by the following vote:  Yeas 31, Nays   0.     ______________________________   Secretary of the Senate      APPROVED: __________________                   Date                       __________________                 Governor