Bill Text: TX SB1535 | 2025-2026 | 89th Legislature | Introduced

Texas Senate Bill 1535

Introduced

Bill Title: Relating to the establishment by the Texas Workforce Commission of an advanced nuclear energy workforce development program.

Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill

Status: (Introduced) 2025-02-21 - Filed [SB1535 Detail]

Download: Texas-2025-SB1535-Introduced.html

	89R8502 KSD-D

	By: Zaffirini, Parker	S.B. No. 1535



	A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
	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) "Coordinating board" means the Texas Higher
	Education Coordinating Board.
	(2) "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.
	(3) "Program" means the advanced nuclear energy
	workforce development program established under this section.
	(b) The commission, in collaboration with the coordinating
	board and in consultation with representatives designated by the
	Railroad 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 creation by institutions of higher
	education of education and training programs in the field of
	advanced nuclear energy; and
	(ii) 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 coordinating board,
	general academic teaching institutions, public technical
	institutes, and public junior colleges;
	(B) the designated representatives of the
	Railroad Commission of Texas described by Subsection (b); and
	(C) employers in the advanced nuclear energy
	industry; and
	(2) focus on developing 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 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.