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89(R) SB 1535 - Enrolled version - Bill Text
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