By: Bhojani, et al. (Senate Sponsor - Flores) H.B. No. 4451          (In the Senate - Received from the House May 1, 2023;   May 4, 2023, read first time and referred to Committee on Natural   Resources & Economic Development; May 18, 2023, reported favorably   by the following vote:  Yeas 8, Nays 0; May 18, 2023, sent to   printer.)Click here to see the committee vote     A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT     relating to a report by the Texas Workforce Commission regarding   apprenticeship opportunities in this state for emerging and   high-demand industries.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Subchapter A, Chapter 302, Labor Code, is   amended by adding Section 302.0191 to read as follows:          Sec. 302.0191.  REPORT ON AVAILABLE APPRENTICESHIPS. (a)   In this section:                (1)  "Apprenticeship program" includes:                      (A)  an industry-recognized training program, as   defined by Section 302.252; and                      (B)  an apprenticeship training program, as   defined by Section 133.001, Education Code.                (2)  "Emerging and high-demand industry" means an   industry or occupation described by the report required under   Section 302.019.          (b)  Not later than September 1 of each year, the commission   shall, in consultation with each local workforce development board,   prepare and submit to the legislature a report on available   apprenticeship programs in this state and make recommendations to   expand the availability of apprenticeship programs in emerging and   high-demand industries. The report must:                (1)  include data on:                      (A)  the total number of active apprenticeship   programs, categorized by the industries included in the North   American Industry Classification System;                      (B)  the total number of active apprentices,   categorized by the industries included in the North American   Industry Classification System; and                      (C)  the total occupational demand for each   industry, categorized by each occupation in the industry for which   an apprenticeship program may be established; and                (2)  make recommendations to expand available   apprenticeship programs for emerging and high-demand industries   with higher employment demand relative to the total number of   active apprentices and apprenticeship programs.          (c)  The commission may collaborate and consult with the   council or the Apprenticeship and Training Advisory Committee, as   designated by the council, to develop recommendations for the   report under Subsection (b).          (d)  The commission shall provide a copy of the report to the   council or the Apprenticeship and Training Advisory Committee, as   designated by the council, at the same time as the report required   under Section 133.006(b), Education Code.          SECTION 2.  Not later than September 1, 2024, the Texas   Workforce Commission shall prepare and submit the initial report   required by Section 302.0191, Labor Code, as added by this Act.          SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.     * * * * *