REGIONAL LABOR DEMAND ASSESSMENT

(a) In this section, "institution of higher education" has the meaning assigned by Section 61.003, Education Code. (b) The commission shall conduct a biennial assessment of available regional labor demands across this state using the best available state and federal labor market data, as determined by the commission, to allow institutions of higher education to better align educational programs with workforce needs. The assessment must: (1) analyze current and projected workforce needs in each region of this state over a 10-year period, disaggregated to the extent possible by wage, industry, occupational field, full-time and part-time status, county of primary employment, and remote work status; and (2) identify for each region and county of this state the industries and occupations that lead to an individual self-sufficient wage, as defined by Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board rule in accordance with Section 130A.102, Education Code. (c) The commission may coordinate with other state agencies, including the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board and the Texas Education Agency, to conduct the assessment under this section. (d) In conducting the assessment under this section, the commission may: (1) obtain any data the commission is authorized by law to obtain from a state or federal agency or institution of higher education at no cost to the commission; (2) obtain expedited access at no cost to the commission to data available through a center for education research established under Section 1.005, Education Code; and (3) contract with a state agency or institution of higher education to conduct or assist in conducting the assessment. (e) If the commission contracts with an institution of higher education to conduct or assist in conducting the assessment under Subsection (d)(3), the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board and the Texas Education Agency shall enter into a data sharing agreement with the institution to provide to the institution any data necessary to conduct the assessment. (f) Not later than March 1 of each odd-numbered year, the commission shall provide the results of the assessment to: (1) the governor; (2) the lieutenant governor; (3) the speaker of the house of representatives; (4) the standing legislative committees with primary jurisdiction over higher education; (5) the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board; (6) the Texas Education Agency; (7) institutions of higher education; and (8) public schools.