By: Bhojani, Bell of Kaufman, Longoria, H.B. No. 4443       Lujan, Ordaz, et al.     A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to the establishment by the Texas Workforce Commission of   a pilot program to train workers for careers in energy-efficient   technologies.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Subchapter A, Chapter 302, Labor Code, is   amended by adding Section 302.02015 to read as follows:          Sec. 302.02015.  CAREERS IN ENERGY-EFFICIENT TECHNOLOGIES   PILOT PROGRAM.  (a)  In this section:                (1)  "Agency" means the Texas Education Agency.                (2)  "Coordinating board" means the Texas Higher   Education Coordinating Board.                (3)  "Public junior college" and "public technical   institute" have the meanings assigned by Section 61.003, Education   Code.          (b)  The commission, in consultation with the agency and the   coordinating board, shall establish and administer a pilot program   in the Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan area under which the   commission partners with public junior colleges, public technical   institutes, and energy-efficient technology employers to provide   necessary education and training to students for entry into jobs in   industries using energy-efficient technologies.          (c)  Subject to coordinating board approval, a public junior   college or public technical institute participating in the pilot   program may offer dual credit courses to high school students or   college-level courses to high school graduates participating in the   pilot program.          (d)  The commission, in consultation with the agency and the   coordinating board, shall establish under the pilot program:                (1)  training and curriculum requirements that reflect   recognized industry practices and align with occupational   advancements in the field of energy-efficient technologies;                (2)  eligibility criteria that prioritize   participation by energy-efficient technology employers, public   junior colleges, and public technical institutes with a proven   history of workforce placement, skills development, and long-term   career advancement;                (3)  a certificate of completion that is portable and   recognized by industry and training stakeholders as an indication   of meaningful workforce preparation; and                (4)  mechanisms to ensure instruction is delivered by   instructors with demonstrated occupational expertise and relevant   industry experience.          (e)  Under the pilot program, the commission shall ensure   that the local workforce development board serving the workforce   development area in which the pilot program is administered   maintains the following information for each pilot program   participant following program completion, disaggregated by race,   ethnicity, sex, income, and location:                (1)  the evaluation data described by Section   302.082(b); and                (2)  data regarding the attainment of employment in an   occupation aligned with the participant's training and offering   opportunities for wage growth and career advancement.          (f)  The commission, agency, and coordinating board may   adopt rules as necessary for the administration of this section.          (g)  Not later than December 1, 2030, the commission shall   evaluate the effectiveness of the pilot program at enhancing the   entry rate of participants into careers in energy-efficient   technologies and report the results of the evaluation to the   legislature.  The report must include the commission's   recommendation on whether the pilot program should be implemented   on a statewide basis.          (h)  This section expires September 1, 2031.          SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.