S.B. No. 1535         AN ACT   relating to the establishment by the Texas Workforce Commission of   an advanced nuclear energy workforce development program.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Subchapter A, Chapter 302, Labor Code, is   amended by adding Section 302.0081 to read as follows:          Sec. 302.0081.  ADVANCED NUCLEAR ENERGY WORKFORCE   DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM. (a) In this section:                (1)  "Agency" means the Texas Education Agency.                (2)  "Coordinating board" means the Texas Higher   Education Coordinating Board.                (3)  "General academic teaching institution,"   "institution of higher education," "public junior college," and   "public technical institute" have the meanings assigned by Section   61.003, Education Code.                (4)  "Program" means the advanced nuclear energy   workforce development program established under this section.          (b)  The commission, in collaboration with the agency and   coordinating board and in consultation with representatives   designated by the Public Utility Commission of Texas to coordinate   this state's nuclear energy strategies, by rule shall establish and   administer the advanced nuclear energy workforce development   program under this section for the purpose of addressing urgent   skilled labor demands in the advanced nuclear energy industry in   this state.          (c)  Under the program, the commission shall:                (1)  create a strategic plan for:                      (A)  addressing labor supply gaps and talent   retention issues in the advanced nuclear energy industry; and                      (B)  providing financial assistance, including   through the creation of strategic partnerships among public and   private entities and advanced nuclear energy industry   stakeholders, to incentivize and support:                            (i)  the development of programming and   outreach efforts designed to create awareness of nuclear science   and career opportunities in the field of advanced nuclear energy   among public school students;                            (ii)  the creation of academic pathways from   secondary school to education and training programs at institutions   of higher education in the field of advanced nuclear energy;                            (iii)  the creation by institutions of   higher education of education and training programs in the field of   advanced nuclear energy; and                             (iv)  research and leadership development in   the field of advanced nuclear energy at general academic teaching   institutions; and                (2)  develop customized curriculum requirements for   degree and certificate programs to prepare students for high-wage   jobs in the advanced nuclear energy industry that, subject to   coordinating board approval under Section 61.0512, Education Code,   may be offered by an institution of higher education.          (d)  In developing curriculum requirements under Subsection   (c)(2), the commission shall:                (1)  consult with:                      (A)  representatives of the agency, coordinating   board, general academic teaching institutions, public technical   institutes, and public junior colleges;                      (B)  the designated representatives of the Public   Utility Commission of Texas described by Subsection (b); and                      (C)  employers in the advanced nuclear energy   industry; and                (2)  focus on developing academic pathways to and   curricula for programs leading to high-wage jobs in the areas of:                       (A)  nuclear-grade welding;                      (B)  radiological control and monitoring;                      (C)  reactor operations;                      (D)  nuclear instrumentation and control; and                      (E)  nuclear, electrical, chemical, civil, and   environmental engineering.          (e)  Not later than September 1 of each year, the commission,   in consultation with the agency and 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 program.  The report may include   the commission's recommendations for legislative or other action.          SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.               ______________________________ ______________________________      President of the Senate Speaker of the House                 I hereby certify that S.B. No. 1535 passed the Senate on   April 1, 2025, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0; and that   the Senate concurred in House amendment on May 26, 2025, by the   following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0.       ______________________________   Secretary of the Senate                I hereby certify that S.B. No. 1535 passed the House, with   amendment, on May 21, 2025, by the following vote: Yeas 138,   Nays 4, two present not voting.       ______________________________   Chief Clerk of the House            Approved:     ______________________________                Date       ______________________________              Governor