By: Bowers H.B. No. 2664       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to the task force on racial diversity in the nursing   workforce.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  (a)  In this section:                (1)  "Nursing advisory committee" means the nursing   advisory committee established under Section 104.0155, Health and   Safety Code.                (2)  "Task force" means the task force on racial   diversity established under this section.          (b)  A task force is established under this section to assess   and determine methods of promoting racial diversity in the nursing   workforce in this state.          (c)  The nursing advisory committee shall develop a uniform   application form to use in soliciting eligible applicants for task   force membership.  As soon as practicable after the effective date   of this Act, the nursing advisory committee shall solicit   applicants for task force membership using the uniform application   form.          (d)  The task force is composed of the following nine members   the nursing advisory committee selects from the pool of eligible   applicants:                (1)  one member who serves on the nursing advisory   committee;                (2)  one member who represents the Texas Center for   Nursing Workforce Studies;                (3)  one member who represents the Texas Higher   Education Coordinating Board;                (4)  two members who represent initial licensure   nursing programs of public institutions of higher education in this   state;                (5)  two members who represent advanced nursing   programs of public institutions of higher education in this state   or health-related institutions;                (6)  one member who represents the hospital industry;   and                (7)  one member who represents the Texas Nurses   Association.          (e)  The member serving on the nursing advisory committee   shall chair the task force.          (f)  The task force shall:                (1)  assess the diversity in this state's nursing   workforce based on existing data;                (2)  identify any current initiatives to diversify the   nursing workforce in this state and the strengths and limitations   of those initiatives;                (3)  establish goals for diversifying the nursing   workforce; and                (4)  develop recommendations on strategies and   promising practices to reduce barriers and achieve those diversity   goals for the nursing workforce.          (g)  Not later than September 1, 2026, the task force shall   deliver a written report to the standing committees of the   legislature with primary jurisdiction over public health and higher   education detailing the task force's activities and   recommendations.          (h)  The task force is abolished and this Act expires   December 1, 2027.          SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.