Bill Text: TX SB994 | 2021-2022 | 87th Legislature | Introduced

NOTE: There are more recent revisions of this legislation. Read Latest Draft

---

Bill Title: Relating to measures to facilitate the successful completion of degree and certificate programs by certain adult learners at public institutions of higher education.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 10-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2021-05-20 - Not again placed on intent calendar [SB994 Detail]

Download: Texas-2021-SB994-Introduced.html

---

87R1638 KJE-D
By: Powell, et al. S.B. No. 994

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to measures to facilitate the successful completion of
degree and certificate programs by certain adult learners at public
institutions of higher education.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Chapter 61, Education Code, is amended by adding
Subchapter R to read as follows:
SUBCHAPTER R. TEXAS RECOVERY ACT
Sec. 61.801. DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter:
(1) "Adult learner" means a person who:
(A) is at least 25 years of age but not older than
34 years of age; and
(B) within the preceding 48 months, has achieved
at least 75 percent completion of a baccalaureate or associate
degree or certificate program.
(2) "Texas WORKS internship program" means the Texas
Working Off-Campus: Reinforcing Knowledge and Skills (WORKS)
Internship Program established under Subchapter E-1, Chapter 56.
Sec. 61.802. TUITION ASSISTANCE GRANT FOR ADULT LEARNERS.
(a) For the 2021-2022 and 2022-2023 academic years, the board shall
provide to each adult learner enrolled in a baccalaureate or
associate degree or certificate program at an institution of higher
education a grant for each semester or term in the amount equal to
25 percent of the average statewide amount of tuition and required
fees that a resident student enrolled full-time in a baccalaureate
or associate degree or certificate program, as applicable, would be
charged for that semester or term at the type of institution of
higher education at which the adult learner is enrolled.
(b) An adult learner receiving a grant under this section
may use the money only to pay the cost of tuition or required fees
for the baccalaureate or associate degree or certificate program in
which the adult learner is enrolled at an institution of higher
education.
Sec. 61.803. INCENTIVE FUNDING FOR ADULT LEARNERS. (a) For
the state fiscal biennium beginning September 1, 2023, the board
shall distribute incentive funding to each institution of higher
education based on the number of adult leaners enrolled at the
institution who, during the preceding state fiscal biennium:
(1) timely completed:
(A) a baccalaureate or associate degree program
in accordance with the adult learner's degree plan; or
(B) a certificate program, as established by
board rule; or
(2) received a baccalaureate or associate degree or
certificate in a target field, as established by board rule.
(b) Subject to the availability of funds, the amount of
incentive funding distributed per qualifying adult learner to an
institution of higher education under this section for a state
fiscal biennium may not be less than the amount of funding provided
per student for that biennium for achievement of an equivalent
student success measure under Section 61.0593(f), Education Code.
Sec. 61.804. FINAL SEMESTER INTERNSHIPS FOR ADULT LEARNERS.
(a) For the 2021-2022 and 2022-2023 academic years, the board shall
collaborate with employers who participate in the Texas WORKS
internship program to ensure that:
(1) employers give priority in employment under that
program to adult learners in the final semester of a baccalaureate
or associate degree or certificate program at an institution of
higher education; and
(2) each adult learner employed through that program
during the adult learner's final semester of a baccalaureate or
associate degree or certificate program at an institution of higher
education receives an additional $2,500 stipend as part of the
adult learner's wages under that program.
(b) The board shall certify internships provided through
the Texas WORKS internship program through which an adult learner
may earn course credit toward the adult learner's baccalaureate or
associate degree or certificate program, as applicable.
Sec. 61.805. GRAD TX PROGRAM. The board shall establish the
Grad TX program in collaboration with institutions of higher
education to support the reskilling, upskilling, and high-value
degree or certificate program completion of adult learners. The
program may include:
(1) academic and career advising;
(2) assistance with available student financial aid
options; and
(3) flexible degree or certificate programs designed
for adult learners.
Sec. 61.806. LIMITATION. (a) The total amount spent under
this subchapter may not exceed $50 million.
(b) If the total cost of providing grants, incentive
funding, or stipends to all eligible adult learners or institutions
of higher education under this subchapter would exceed the amount
that may be spent under Subsection (a), the board shall reduce the
amount of each grant, incentive funding award, and stipend as
necessary to comply with that subsection.
Sec. 61.807. GIFTS, GRANTS, AND DONATIONS. The board may
accept gifts, grants, and donations from any public or private
source for purposes of this subchapter.
Sec. 61.808. REPORT. Not later than December 1 of each
year, the board shall submit to the governor, the lieutenant
governor, and the speaker of the house of representatives a report
on the status and effectiveness of the measures established under
this subchapter.
Sec. 61.809. RULES. The board may adopt rules as necessary
to implement this subchapter. In adopting rules, the board shall
consult with institutions of higher education, the Texas Workforce
Commission, members of the business community, and other relevant
stakeholders.
Sec. 61.810. EXPIRATION. This subchapter expires September
1, 2025.
SECTION 2. Not later than December 1, 2022, the Texas Higher
Education Coordinating Board shall submit the board's initial
report required under Section 61.808, Education Code, as added by
this Act.
SECTION 3. The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board is
required to implement a provision of this Act only if the
legislature appropriates money specifically for that purpose. If
the legislature does not appropriate money specifically for that
purpose, the coordinating board may, but is not required to,
implement a provision of this Act using other appropriations
available for that purpose.
SECTION 4. 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, 2021.