SB 2603

relating to cooperation by economic development program
participants with local workforce development boards.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1.  Subtitle C, Title 12, Local Government Code, is
amended by adding Chapter 399A to read as follows:
CHAPTER 399A.  MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS RELATING TO PLANNING AND
DEVELOPMENT OF MORE THAN ONE TYPE OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT
Sec. 399A.001.  COOPERATION WITH LOCAL WORKFORCE
DEVELOPMENT BOARDS.  (a)  An employer who is participating in an
economic development program administered by a county or
municipality and is hiring one or more employees to fill vacancies
in the employer's open positions shall contact the local workforce
development board established under Chapter 2308, Government Code,
for the employer's workforce development area to determine whether
any participants in a career development center established by the
board under Section 2308.312, Government Code, are qualified to
fill the vacancies and consider those qualified participants when
(b)  An employer shall give additional consideration when
filling vacancies under this section to an applicant for employment
who receives state or federal public assistance, including:
(1)  unemployment insurance benefit payments; and
(2)  assistance under Chapter 31, Human Resources Code.
SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.