CHAPTER 134. JOBS AND EDUCATION FOR TEXANS (JET) GRANT PROGRAM
EDUCATION CODE
TITLE 3. HIGHER EDUCATION
SUBTITLE G. NON-BACCALAUREATE SYSTEM
CHAPTER 134. JOBS AND EDUCATION FOR TEXANS (JET) GRANT PROGRAM
Sec. 134.001. DEFINITIONS. In this chapter:
(1) "Nonprofit organization" means an organization exempt from
federal income taxation under Section 501(a), Internal Revenue
Code of 1986, as an organization described by Section 501(c)(3)
of that code.
(2) "Public junior college" and "public technical institute"
have the meanings assigned by Section 61.003.
Added by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch.
895, Sec. 64, eff. June 19, 2009.
Sec. 134.002. JOBS AND EDUCATION FOR TEXANS (JET) FUND. (a)
The comptroller shall establish and administer the Jobs and
Education for Texans (JET) fund as a dedicated account in the
general revenue fund.
(b) The following amounts shall be deposited in the fund:
(1) any amounts appropriated by the legislature for the fund for
purposes of this chapter;
(2) interest earned on the investment of money in the fund; and
(3) gifts, grants, and other donations received for the fund.
Added by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch.
895, Sec. 64, eff. June 19, 2009.
Sec. 134.003. ADVISORY BOARD. (a) An advisory board of
education and workforce stakeholders is created to assist the
comptroller in administering this chapter.
(b) The advisory board is composed of seven members who serve
two-year terms and are appointed as follows:
(1) one member appointed by the governor;
(2) one member appointed by the lieutenant governor;
(3) one member appointed by the speaker of the house of
representatives;
(4) one member appointed by the Texas Higher Education
Coordinating Board;
(5) one member appointed by the Texas Workforce Commission;
(6) one member of the public appointed by the comptroller; and
(7) the comptroller, who serves as the presiding officer.
(c) The advisory board shall meet at least once each quarter to
review received applications and recommend awarding grants under
this chapter.
Added by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch.
895, Sec. 64, eff. June 19, 2009.
Sec. 134.004. JOBS AND EDUCATION FOR TEXANS (JET) GRANT PROGRAM.
The comptroller shall establish and administer the Jobs and
Education for Texans (JET) Grant Program to provide grants to
public junior colleges, public technical institutes, and eligible
nonprofit organizations that apply to the advisory board in the
manner prescribed by the advisory board. The comptroller shall
award the grants on the advice and recommendations of the
advisory board. Grants may be awarded under this chapter from
the Jobs and Education for Texans (JET) fund for the following
purposes:
(1) to develop, support, or expand programs of nonprofit
organizations that meet the requirements of Section 134.005 and
that prepare low-income students for careers in high-demand
occupations;
(2) to defray the start-up costs associated with the development
of new career and technical education programs at public junior
colleges and public technical institutes that meet the
requirements of Section 134.006; and
(3) to provide scholarships for students in career and technical
education programs who meet the requirements of Section 134.007.
Added by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch.
895, Sec. 64, eff. June 19, 2009.
Sec. 134.005. GRANTS TO NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS FOR INNOVATIVE
AND SUCCESSFUL PROGRAMS. (a) The comptroller may award a grant
to a nonprofit organization eligible under Subsection (b) for the
development, support, or expansion of programs to prepare
low-income students for careers in high-demand occupations.
(b) To be eligible to receive a grant under this section, a
nonprofit organization must:
(1) provide a program to offer assistance to low-income students
in preparing for, applying to, and enrolling in a public junior
college or public technical institute;
(2) be governed by a board or other governing structure that
includes recognized leaders of broad-based community
organizations and members of the local business community;
(3) demonstrate to the satisfaction of the advisory board that
the organization's program has achieved or will achieve the
following measures of success among program participants, to the
extent applicable to the type of program the organization
provides:
(A) above average completion of developmental education among
participating public junior college or public technical institute
students;
(B) above average persistence rates among participating public
junior college or public technical institute students;
(C) above average certificate or degree completion rates by
participating students within a three-year period compared to
demographically comparable public junior college and public
technical institute students; and
(D) employment of participating students at an average full-time
starting wage that is equal to or greater than the prevailing
wage for the occupation entered; and
(4) provide matching funds in accordance with rules adopted
under Section 134.008.
(c) The matching funds required under Subsection (b)(4) may be
obtained from any source available to the nonprofit organization,
including in-kind contributions, community or foundation grants,
individual contributions, and local governmental agency operating
funds.
(d) Grants awarded under this section must be awarded in a
manner that takes a balanced geographical distribution into
consideration.
Added by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch.
895, Sec. 64, eff. June 19, 2009.
Sec. 134.006. GRANTS TO EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS FOR CAREER AND
TECHNICAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS. (a) The comptroller may award a
grant for the development of new career and technical education
courses or programs at public junior colleges and public
technical institutes.
(b) A grant received under this section may be used only:
(1) to support courses or programs that prepare students for
career employment in occupations that are identified by local
businesses as being in high demand, including courses offered for
dual credit;
(2) to finance initial costs of career and technical education
course or program development, including the costs of
constructing or renovating facilities, purchasing equipment, and
other expenses associated with the development of a new course;
and
(3) to finance a career and technical education course or
program that leads to a license, certificate, or postsecondary
degree.
(c) In awarding a grant under this section, the comptroller
shall primarily consider the potential economic returns to the
state from the development of the career and technical education
course or program. The comptroller may also consider whether the
course or program:
(1) is part of a new, emerging industry or high-demand
occupation;
(2) offers new or expanded dual credit career and technical
educational opportunities in public high schools; or
(3) is provided in cooperation with other public junior colleges
or public technical institutes across existing service areas.
(d) To be eligible to receive a grant under this section, a
public junior college or public technical institute must provide
matching funds in accordance with rules adopted under Section
134.008. The matching funds may be obtained from any source
available to the junior college or technical institute, including
in-kind contributions, industry consortia, community or
foundation grants, individual contributions, and local
governmental agency operating funds.
Added by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch.
895, Sec. 64, eff. June 19, 2009.
Sec. 134.007. SCHOLARSHIPS. (a) The comptroller may award a
scholarship to a public junior college or public technical
institute student.
(b) To be eligible to receive a scholarship under this section,
a student must:
(1) demonstrate financial need; and
(2) be enrolled in a training program for a high-demand
occupation, as determined by the comptroller on the
recommendation of the advisory board.
Added by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch.
895, Sec. 64, eff. June 19, 2009.
Sec. 134.008. RULES. The comptroller shall adopt rules as
necessary for the administration of this chapter.
Added by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch.
895, Sec. 64, eff. June 19, 2009.