By: Sparks S.B. No. 2448               A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to rural workforce development.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Subchapter A, Chapter 302, Labor Code, is   amended by adding Section 302.021 to read as follows:          Sec. 302.021.  RURAL WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT. (a) The purpose   of this section is to enhance the employability, earnings, and   standard of living of the people living in rural communities of this   state, through job creation and expansion, education, and skills   training.          (b)  The commission, in consultation with the Texas   Education Agency and the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board,   shall administer a rural workforce development program to support   measurable programs advancing college and career readiness, skill   development, and work experience opportunities, including:                (1)  recruiting and retaining businesses for   high-wage, high-demand careers aligned to the commission's   regional labor market information under Section 302.002 and the   occupational shortage areas reported under Section 302.019;                (2) working with one or more institutions of higher   education, as defined by Section 61.003, Education Code, to support   attainment of the coordinating board's long-range master plan for   higher education developed under Section 61.051, Education Code,   and to ensure students cost-effectively attain degrees and   postsecondary credentials of value; and                (3)  working with participating rural school districts   to attain or maintain the highest or second highest performance   rating category under Chapter 39, Education Code.          (c)  The commission may award grants to local entities that   perform activities related to the purposes of this section.          (d)  The commission may award grants for technical   assistance to one or more nonprofit organizations with experience   in improving outcomes, including students' college and career   outcomes, in rural communities in this state. The nonprofit   organization shall assist a rural community's alignment of   workforce, higher education, and education goals, including access   and attainment of postsecondary credentials and degrees.          (e)  The commission may accept gifts, grants, and donations   from any public or private source for the purposes of the program   and shall administer the program using money appropriated to the   commission or money received from other sources.          SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.