Relating to the establishment by the Texas Workforce Commission of an advanced nuclear energy workforce development program, the official text

S.B. No. 1535

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) "Agency" means the Texas Education Agency.

(2) "Coordinating board" means the Texas Higher

Education Coordinating Board.

(3) "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.

(4) "Program" means the advanced nuclear energy

workforce development program established under this section.

(b) The commission, in collaboration with the agency and

coordinating board and in consultation with representatives

designated by the Public Utility 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 development of programming and

outreach efforts designed to create awareness of nuclear science

and career opportunities in the field of advanced nuclear energy

among public school students;

(ii) the creation of academic pathways from

secondary school to education and training programs at institutions

of higher education in the field of advanced nuclear energy;

(iii) the creation by institutions of

higher education of education and training programs in the field of

advanced nuclear energy; and

(iv) 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 agency, coordinating

board, general academic teaching institutions, public technical

institutes, and public junior colleges;

(B) the designated representatives of the Public

Utility Commission of Texas described by Subsection (b); and

(C) employers in the advanced nuclear energy

industry; and

(2) focus on developing academic pathways to and

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 agency and 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.

______________________________
______________________________

President of the Senate
Speaker of the House

I hereby certify that S.B. No. 1535 passed the Senate on

April 1, 2025, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0; and that

the Senate concurred in House amendment on May 26, 2025, by the

following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0.

______________________________

Secretary of the Senate

I hereby certify that S.B. No. 1535 passed the House, with

amendment, on May 21, 2025, by the following vote: Yeas 138,

Nays 4, two present not voting.

______________________________

Chief Clerk of the House

Approved:

______________________________

Date

______________________________

Governor