89R13422 KSD-D     By: Guerra H.B. No. 3125       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to establishment by the Texas Workforce Commission of a   geothermal energy workforce education and training initiative.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Subchapter A, Chapter 302, Labor Code, is   amended by adding Section 302.0085 to read as follows:          Sec. 302.0085.  GEOTHERMAL ENERGY WORKFORCE EDUCATION AND   TRAINING INITIATIVE. (a) In this section:                (1)  "Career school or college" has the meaning   assigned by Section 132.001, Education Code.                (2)  "Coordinating board" means the Texas Higher   Education Coordinating Board.                (3)  "General academic teaching institution,"   "institution of higher education," "public technical institute,"   and "public junior college" have the meanings assigned by Section   61.003, Education Code.                (4)  "Initiative" means the geothermal energy   workforce education and training initiative established under this   section.          (b)  The commission, in consultation with the coordinating   board, by rule, shall establish and administer an initiative to   develop and implement:                (1)  customized education and training programs   necessary to prepare students for entry into jobs in the geothermal   energy industry in this state; and                (2)  other strategies to support and incentivize   education and training opportunities that address skills gaps in   the geothermal energy workforce in this state.          (c)  Under the initiative, the commission shall:                (1)  in consultation with representatives from the   coordinating board, general academic teaching institutions, public   technical institutes, public junior colleges, career schools or   colleges, and employers in the geothermal energy industry, develop   customized curriculum requirements for:                      (A)  degree or certificate programs to prepare   students for jobs in the geothermal energy industry that, subject   to coordinating board approval under Section 61.0512, Education   Code, may be offered by institutions of higher education; and                      (B)  other programs of instruction leading to   recognized educational credentials to prepare students for jobs in   the geothermal energy industry that may be offered by career   schools or colleges;                 (2)  identify opportunities to use workforce   development funding administered by the commission to provide   financial assistance for geothermal energy workforce training   programs, subject to any requirements for or restrictions on the   distribution of those funds; and                (3)  promote and support the creation of partnerships   between institutions of higher education and geothermal energy   industry employers in this state under which apprenticeship and   employment opportunities in the geothermal energy industry are made   available to students and graduates of the institutions, as   applicable.          (d)  Not later than September 1 of each year, the commission,   in consultation with the coordinating board, shall prepare and   submit to each standing committee of the legislature with primary   jurisdiction over workforce development, higher education, or   energy industry matters a report summarizing the commission's   activities under the initiative. The report may include the   commission's recommendations for legislative or other action.          SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.