89R25068 CXP-F     By: Guillen H.B. No. 1233       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to measures to encourage the earning of   industry-recognized credentials at public institutions of higher   education.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Subchapter C, Chapter 61, Education Code, is   amended by adding Section 61.09093 to read as follows:          Sec. 61.09093.  INDUSTRY-RECOGNIZED CREDENTIAL FEASIBILITY   STUDY AND PILOT PROJECT. (a) In this section:                (1)  "Agency" means the Texas Education Agency.                (2)  "Commission" means the Texas Workforce   Commission.                (3)  "High-demand, high-growth industry" means an   industry identified by the commission as experiencing high demand   and high growth in this state based on current and projected job   openings, wage thresholds, and employer demand in the state's labor   market.                (4)  "Industry-recognized credential" means a   credential earned by a student in a high-demand, high-growth   industry that leads to quality career opportunities, as determined   by the commission in coordination with the board and the agency.                (5)  "Initiative" means the Tri-Agency Workforce   Initiative established under Chapter 2308A, Government Code.                (6)  "Quality career opportunity" means employment   that:                       (A)  provides a self-sufficient wage that meets or   exceeds a threshold established by the initiative for purposes of   this section; and                       (B)  aligns with statewide and regional workforce   development goals, as determined by the initiative.                (7)  "Self-sufficient wage" means the self-sufficient   wage as determined by the initiative under Section 2308A.012,   Government Code, for purposes of Chapter 2308A of that code.          (b)  The board, in coordination with the agency and the   commission through the initiative, shall conduct a comprehensive   feasibility study on the role of industry-recognized credentials in   supporting postsecondary success and positive labor market   outcomes in this state.           (c)  The study conducted under Subsection (b) must:                (1)  identify and assess:                       (A)  the availability, use, and integration of   industry-recognized credentials at institutions of higher   education;                      (B)  barriers to incorporating   industry-recognized credentials into degree and certificate   pathways at institutions of higher education, including   transferability among institutions of higher education;                      (C)  opportunities to enable students at   institutions of higher education to earn multiple   industry-recognized credentials as part of a baccalaureate   program;                      (D)  the potential for developing regional and   statewide frameworks to support cumulative, transferable   credential pathways at institutions of higher education; and                      (E)  the role of industry-recognized credentials   in reducing time and cost to credential completion, increasing   earning potential, and improving alignment with workforce needs;   and                (2)  include a model framework to:                       (A)  enable the creation of accredited degree and   certificate programs at both two- and four-year institutions of   higher education that incorporate industry-recognized credentials;                      (B)  support high school students in earning   credit toward programs described by Paragraph (A);                      (C)  allow students to earn at least two   industry-recognized credentials as part of a baccalaureate degree   program at an institution of higher education; and                      (D)  facilitate students earning a baccalaureate   degree and at least two industry-recognized credentials not later   than four years after completing high school.          (d)  To support the study conducted under Subsection (b) and   using resources available within the institutional collaboration   center established under Section 61.0571, the board shall establish   and administer a pilot project with at least one two-year   institution of higher education and at least one four-year   institution of higher education to reduce regulatory burdens and   assist institutions of higher education in forming partnerships to   encourage:                (1)  completion of industry-recognized credentials in   satisfaction of certain required coursework under degree or   certificate programs offered by institutions of higher education;                (2)  memoranda of understanding between institutions   of higher education that offer industry-recognized credentials;                (3)  the transferability of course credit,   particularly with regard to course credit leading to an   industry-recognized credential;                (4)  the development of degree and certificate programs   that enable students to earn a degree or certificate by completing   parts of the program at different institutions of higher education;   or                (5)  the applicability of grant, scholarship, and other   student financial aid money toward costs related to earning   industry-recognized credentials.          (e)  The board, in coordination with the agency and the   commission through the initiative, may consult with stakeholders to   implement this section, including:                (1)  school districts;                (2)  postsecondary educational institutions;                (3)  accrediting agencies;                (4)  employers;                (5)  local workforce development boards; and                (6)  faculty and curriculum experts.          (f)  The board, in coordination with the agency and the   commission through the initiative, shall submit to the governor,   the lieutenant governor, the speaker of the house of   representatives, and the standing committee of each house of the   legislature with primary jurisdiction over higher education:                (1)  a preliminary report on the study conducted under   Subsection (b) and the pilot project established under Subsection   (d), including the board's findings and any recommendations for   legislative or other action, not later than March 1, 2026; and                (2)  a final report on the study conducted under   Subsection (b) and the pilot project established under Subsection   (d), including the board's findings and any recommendations for   legislative or other action, not later than September 1, 2026.          (g)  This section expires September 1, 2027.          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, 2025.