Texas is a global powerhouse, and Houston is the welcoming committee for many companies looking to settle in the Lone Star State. The strength of our workforce is one key issue that continues to drive economic growth. Lawmakers are looking to increase the pool of homegrown talent through House Bill 120 (HB 120). This comprehensive reform bill will increase funding for career advising, strengthen programs that prepare graduating seniors for careers, and boost funding for facilities that expand career educational programs in public schools. The Partnership is supporting HB 120 this session. Here’s a look at the bill and key areas of interest in workforce development: High School Advising Program Establishes a program for districts and charter schools to provide college and career advising. Requires partnerships with institutions of higher education or workforce organizations. Limits advisors to a caseload of 200 students, prioritizing grades 11 and 12. Introduces a funding allotment of $50,000 per full-time equivalent advisor. Gradually reduces funding after five years unless districts meet performance benchmarks. Funding Changes for Career Programs Allows funding to support high school graduates for up to two years in postsecondary education or vocational training. Increases funding for students in P-TECH and New Tech Network schools from $50 to $150 per student. Provides additional funding for students enrolled in dual credit programs post-graduation. New Facilities Funding Expands definition to include facilities renovated for high-cost, undersubscribed career and technical education programs. Increases funding cap from $100 million to $150 million. Expands Eligibility for Rural Programs Allows districts to continue participation regardless of enrollment size. Expands retirement system eligibility for employees of coordinating entities. Modifies grant funding allocation and eligibility for performance agreements. Requires R-PEP partnerships to offer specific career pathways, including computer programming and skilled trades. Military Pathway Grant Program Establishes a grant program for school districts to implement JROTC programs. Requires districts to administer the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) test annually. Provides career counseling based on ASVAB results. Grants are set at $50,000 per district, with a total funding cap of $2 million annually. Because of the variety of programs and funding changes, lawmakers are proposing a phased-in approach to gradually implement these programs through 2027. Contingency funding will be included in the budget proposals that have yet to receive a floor vote in either chamber. Both HB 120 and the General Appropriations Act (Senate Bill 1) must pass for these reforms to be fully implemented. The Partnership is also supporting Senate Bill 1826 by Sen. Charles Schwertner, which is also designed to strengthen Career and Technical Education programs in Texas. For more updates and alerts on the Texas Legislature, click here to sign up for our weekly newsletter.   

In 2023, Texas had one of the best legislative sessions in modern history for water policy. The 89th Texas Legislature wants to take that to another level by increasing funding and implementing policy reforms to reshape how the state addresses water resources. With the legislature prepared to cross the halfway point, here’s a quick look at what’s happening with water policy and key bills the Partnership is following in Austin. More Money, More Water In 2023, lawmakers created the Texas Water Fund, and voters approved a $1 billion startup investment to fund projects across the state. This session, lawmakers are doubling down and plan to return to Texas voters for another $1 billion annually for the next 10 years. Senate Bill 7 (SB 7) by Sen. Charles Perry provides the spending framework, while Senate Joint Resolution 66 proposes a Constitutional Amendment to dedicate $10 billion over the next decade to the Texas Water Fund. State Rep. Cody Harris has filed the House companion bills—House Bill 16 (HB 16) and House Joint Resolution 7 (HJR 7). Greater Houston Partnership Executive Vice President Taylor Landin testified in support of HJR 7 on Wednesday in House Natural Resources, emphasizing the importance of sustainable water supply and infrastructure for the Houston region to remain competitive in landing large-scale projects in advanced manufacturing, life sciences and energy. The Partnership is set to testify in support of SB 7 during Monday's Senate Committee on Water, Agriculture, and Rural Affairs hearing. In addition, House Bill 500, the Supplemental Budget Bill, taps $2.5 billion in surplus dollars to be invested in the Texas Water Fund upon passage. This means those dollars will be delivered this year rather than at the start of the next fiscal year. Funding for Flooding Lawmakers estimate over $1 billion will be available in the state’s Flood Infrastructure Fund account at the end of the fiscal year. According to agency officials, $700 million has already been committed to the Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) on state-federal match projects. The funding is parked in reserve as the USACE approves projects and prioritizes construction based on available funding. Budget writers have included more than $182 million for additional flood mitigation projects in addition to the existing reserves. One policy to watch is Senate Bill 1289, which expands the authorized uses for Texas Water Fund dollars to include the Flood Infrastructure Fund. Water Works If lawmakers succeed, the proposed policies will reshape how we fund and implement water strategies around the state. In addition to the dollars, ongoing discussions are underway on infrastructure, innovation in providing new water sources and expanding the authority of certain energy producers to engage in water reclamation efforts. The result will be a generational shift in how local and state-level entities operate while maximizing the efficacy of federal dollars through matched programming efforts.  For more updates and alerts on the Texas Legislature, click here to sign up for our weekly newsletter.