Senate Bill 2603, presented to the Committee on Natural Resources & Economic Development, would require businesses that receive state or local economic development incentives to consult with local workforce development boards during hiring and give priority consideration to jobseekers identified by those boards.

Senator Blanco, the bill’s sponsor, said the measure strengthens connections between businesses receiving incentives and local workforce boards, giving employers access to board resources and candidate information and encouraging priority consideration for workforce program participants. “This bill promotes better job placement outcomes for workforce development participants while supporting success of Texas businesses that receive economic incentives,” Blanco said.

Leila Melendez, CEO of Workforce Solutions Borderplex in El Paso, testified in support and said workforce boards provide free services such as job posting, candidate placement from SNAP or TANF participants, and customized training programs. “Companies that benefit from publicly funded incentive programs should also benefit from publicly supported job seekers,” Melendez told the committee.

Mary York of the Texas Workforce Commission appeared as a resource witness to answer implementation questions. The committee closed public testimony and left the bill pending subject to the call of the chair.