Bill Text: TX SB635 | 2023-2024 | 88th Legislature | Introduced

---

Bill Title: Relating to the development of a state information technology credential offered by public junior colleges to address shortages in the state information resources workforce.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2023-02-17 - Referred to s/c on Higher Education by Pres [SB635 Detail]

Download: Texas-2023-SB635-Introduced.html

---

88R2504 CXP-F
By: Eckhardt S.B. No. 635

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the development of a state information technology
credential offered by public junior colleges to address shortages
in the state information resources workforce.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 2054.061(b), Government Code, is amended
to read as follows:
(b) The department shall annually analyze:
(1) the department's staffing needs;
(2) the need for and cost-effectiveness of contracting
for consultants and outside staff;
(3) whether the department could use department staff
to accomplish tasks proposed for the consultants and outside staff;
[and]
(4) whether and what type of training or additional
resources are necessary for the department to use the department's
own staff to accomplish tasks proposed for the consultants or
outside staff; and
(5) whether entering into an agreement with a public
junior college district under Section 2054.0701 is appropriate to
assist the department in meeting staffing needs.
SECTION 2. Subchapter C, Chapter 2054, Government Code, is
amended by adding Section 2054.0701 to read as follows:
Sec. 2054.0701. STATE INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY CREDENTIAL.
(a) The department may enter into an agreement with a public junior
college district under Section 130.0081, Education Code, to offer a
program leading to a state information technology credential to
address shortages in the state information resources workforce.
(b) A program offered under this section must:
(1) be approved by the Texas Higher Education
Coordinating Board in accordance with Section 61.0512, Education
Code;
(2) develop the knowledge and skills necessary for an
entry-level information technology position in a state agency; and
(3) include a one-year apprenticeship with:
(A) the department;
(B) another relevant state agency;
(C) an organization working on a major
information resources project; or
(D) a regional network security center
established under Section 2059.202.
(c) The executive director shall update the department's
intra-agency career ladder program to ensure that an associate
degree together with a credential awarded under this section may be
substituted for a four-year baccalaureate degree.
(d) The classification officer in the office of the state
auditor shall review the state's position classification plan to
determine whether an associate degree together with a credential
awarded under this section may be substituted for a four-year
baccalaureate degree and revise relevant job descriptions
accordingly.
(e) If a program offered under this section is not fully
funded through tuition and other money of the public junior college
district available for the purpose, the department may:
(1) use any money available to the department for the
purpose to offer a program under this section; and
(2) solicit and accept gifts, grants, and donations
from any public or private source for purposes of offering a program
under this section.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.