Bill

SB 209

84(R) - 2015
Senate Natural Resources & Economic Development
Read Bill & Check Bill Status
Senate Natural Resources & Economic Development
Labor

Vote Recommendation

Neutral
  • Neutral
  • Neutral
  • Neutral
  • Neutral
  • Neutral

Author(s)

Juan "Chuy" Hinojosa

Co-Author(s)

Brian Birdwell

Bill Caption

Relating to the continuation and functions of the Texas Workforce Investment Council, including assumption of the duties of the Texas Skill Standards Board.

Fiscal Notes

A fiscal bill dated March 9, 2015 anticipates no significant fiscal implications to the State or units of local government. Additionally, the Legislative Budget Board estimates that the savings resulting from the transfer of the Texas Skills Standards Board's duties to the Texas Workforce Investment Commission would be minimal.

Bill Analysis

Senate Bill 209 would reauthorize the Texas Workforce Investment Council for 12 years until 2027, following the recommendation of the Texas Sunset Advisory Commission, as well as abolish the Texas Skills Standards Board and transfer its powers and duties to the Texas Workforce Investment Council.

Vote Recommendation Notes

Senate Bill 209 is a Sunset Bill: it follows the Sunset Advisory Commission's review and recommendations to reauthorize the Texas Workforce Investment Council and abolish the Texas Skills Standards Board.

The Texas Workforce Investment Council serves as the State Workforce Investment Board. Federal law (Workforce Investment Act of 1998) requires the existence of a State workforce investment board to establish a state plan that coordinates and evaluates state efforts to promote a well-educated and highly-skilled workforce. According to the Sunset Advisory Commission's review, Texas receives $160 million in federal funds to support the Texas Workforce Investment Council's efforts.

Government should not be involved in deciding what is best for the workforce and how to best enforce the programs it estimates would make the workforce better off by transferring wealth from one group to another. Abolishing the Texas Skills Standards Board is a step in the right direction as it limits the scope of government by concentrating the tasks it had initially assigned to both agencies to a single one. Nevertheless, taking into account that the State Workforce Investment Board is a requirement of federal law, we remain neutral on Senate Bill 209.