85R6084 KSD-D     By: Miles S.B. No. 574       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to the expansion of applied workforce learning   opportunities in this state, including through the establishment of   the Texas Industry Internship Challenge.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Subchapter A, Chapter 302, Labor Code, is   amended by adding Section 302.0028 to read as follows:          Sec. 302.0028.  APPLIED WORKFORCE LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES;   TEXAS INDUSTRY INTERNSHIP CHALLENGE.  (a)  The commission, in   partnership with the Texas Education Agency and the Texas Higher   Education Coordinating Board, shall develop and implement   strategies to:                (1)  significantly increase the number of, and   participation by students in, applied workforce learning   opportunities, including paid internships, externships, and   apprenticeships, offered by employers in high-demand industries   and occupations to students enrolled in high schools or public or   private institutions of higher education in this state, including   opportunities offered during the summer; and                (2)  facilitate the uniform award by high schools and   public or private institutions of higher education of academic   credit to students for the successful completion of those   opportunities, where appropriate.           (b)  In carrying out its duties under Subsection (a), the   commission shall establish the Texas Industry Internship Challenge   under which the commission develops and administers a centralized   electronic Internet portal through which, in a streamlined,   responsive, and user-friendly manner:                (1)  employers may post information regarding applied   workforce learning opportunities described by Subsection (a); and                (2)  students enrolled in high schools or public or   private institutions of higher education in this state may access   information regarding and apply for those opportunities.          (c)  The commission, the commissioner of education, and the   Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board may adopt rules as   necessary for the administration of this section.          SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives   a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as   provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this   Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this   Act takes effect September 1, 2017.