SB1535

Regular Session

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

ModeratePlan for compliance

Low Cost

Effective:2025-09-01

Enforcing Agencies

Texas Workforce Commission

Compliance Analysis

Key implementation requirements and action items for compliance with this legislation

Implementation Timeline

Effective Date: September 1, 2025
Compliance Deadline: Q4 2025 (Strategic) – While there is no mandatory compliance date, companies must engage during the initial rulemaking window to ensure state curriculum aligns with internal hiring standards.
Agency Rulemaking: The TWC is required to establish rules, strategic plans, and curriculum standards starting September 1, 2025. A regulatory "gray zone" will exist between the effective date and the finalization of curriculum standards (likely mid-2026).

Immediate Action Plan

Identify Subject Matter Experts: Immediately designate internal technical leads for welding, rad control, and reactor ops to serve as advisors to the TWC program office.
Draft Academic MOUs: Contact local Junior College Districts to express intent to partner on SB 1535 grant applications once the program goes live.
Audit Insurance Policies: Verify that workers' compensation and general liability policies cover students/apprentices operating on-site under state-sponsored programs.
Monitor Texas Register: Set alerts for TWC rulemaking notices starting September 2025 to submit public comments on curriculum rigor.

Operational Changes Required

Contracts

Public-Private Partnerships (P3s): Legal teams should draft Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) or Joint Venture agreements with local Public Junior Colleges to position the company as a primary recipient of graduates from these new programs.
Grant Agreements: Prepare for new TWC grant solicitations. Contracts will likely require data sharing regarding retention rates and hiring metrics in exchange for workforce funding.
Staffing Vendor Reviews: Update agreements with third-party staffing agencies to ensure they are contractually obligated to recruit from TWC-sanctioned "advanced nuclear" pathways.

Hiring/Training

Curriculum Alignment: HR and Technical Training leads must audit internal competency maps for nuclear-grade welding, radiological control, and instrumentation. These maps must be ready for submission to the TWC to influence state standards.
Internship Scaling: Operations must prepare to scale internship and apprenticeship programs to accommodate high school and community college pipelines, as these will be prerequisites for accessing state training funds.

Reporting & Record-Keeping

Grant Reporting: If participating, expect mandatory annual reporting to the TWC regarding the employment status and wage levels of program graduates hired.
Safety/Liability Documentation: Document safety protocols specifically for student/apprentice presence on industrial sites to satisfy insurance carrier requirements.

Fees & Costs

Cost Impact: Positive/Savings. The bill imposes no new fees on industry. Conversely, it allows businesses to offset training costs by utilizing state-funded academic pathways rather than funding internal training from scratch.

Strategic Ambiguities & Considerations

Curriculum vs. NRC Licensing: The law requires TWC to set curriculum, but the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) sets federal licensing standards. There is a significant risk that TWC-developed curriculum may not fully satisfy federal requirements. Industry input is critical to prevent a "Texas standard" that falls short of federal compliance.
Funding Source: The Fiscal Note indicates "no significant fiscal implication," implying the TWC will repurpose existing funds (e.g., Skills Development Fund) rather than receiving new appropriations. Competition for these funds will be high; early engagement is essential to secure allocations.
Definition of "Advanced": The statute does not strictly define which reactor technologies qualify. Rulemaking will determine if this applies strictly to Gen IV/SMRs or includes upgrades to existing fleets.

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Legislative Timeline

This bill's path through the Texas Legislature

TopicsEducation Education--higher Education--higher--finance Education--higher--institutions & Programs Education--junior College Districts Energy Energy--nuclear Labor Labor--workforce Development Higher Education Coordinating Board, Texas Railroad Commission Workforce Commission, Texas Education--higher--curriculum Education Agency, Texas Public Utility Commission

Official Analysis

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BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	S.B. 1535
89R8502 KSD-D	By: Zaffirini; Parker
	Economic Development
	3/13/2025
	As Filed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) administers workforce training programs for high-demand industries, but current law does not establish a dedicated program for advanced nuclear energy workforce development. As Texas' nuclear energy sector expands, employers face shortages of skilled workers in key fields such as nuclear-grade welding, radiological monitoring, reactor operations, and nuclear engineering.

S.B. 1535 would direct TWC to create a workforce development program focused on advanced nuclear energy, including expanding training opportunities at technical and community colleges, fostering public-private partnerships, and supporting university research and leadership development. The program would also establish curriculum requirements for degree and certificate programs to align with industry needs and ensure a pipeline of trained professionals. By implementing this initiative, Texas can strengthen its nuclear workforce, support industry growth, and maintain high safety and regulatory standards, ensuring the state remains a leader in energy innovation.

As proposed, S.B. 1535 amends current law relating to the establishment by the Texas Workforce Commission of an advanced nuclear energy workforce development program.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

Rulemaking authority is expressly granted to the Texas Workforce Commission in SECTION 1 (Section 302.0081, Labor Code) of this bill.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Subchapter A, Chapter 302, Labor Code, by adding Section 302.0081, as follows:

Sec. 302.0081. ADVANCED NUCLEAR ENERGY WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM. (a) Defines "coordinating board," "general academic teaching institution," "institution of higher education," "public junior college," "public technical institute," and "program."

(b) Requires the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC), in collaboration with the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) and in consultation with representatives designated by the Railroad Commission of Texas (RRC) to coordinate this state's nuclear energy strategies, by rule to establish and administer the advanced nuclear energy workforce development program (program) under this section for the purpose of addressing urgent skilled labor demands in the advanced nuclear energy industry in this state.

(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 stakeholders to incentivize and support the creation by institutions of higher education and training programs in the field of advanced nuclear energy, and research 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 THECB approval under Section 61.0512 (Board Approval of Academic Programs), Education Code, are authorized to be offered by an institution of higher education.

(d) Requires TWC, in developing curriculum requirements under Subsection (c)(2), to:

(1) consult with representatives of THECB, general academic teaching institutions, public technical institutes, and public junior colleges; the designated representatives of RRC described by Subsection (b); and employers in the advanced nuclear energy industry; and

(2) focus on developing curricula for programs leading to high-wage jobs in certain areas.

(e) Requires TWC, not later than September 1 of each year, in consultation with THECB, to 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 TWC's activities under the program. Authorizes the report to include TWC's recommendations for legislative or other action.

SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2025.

Senate Authors

Sen. Judith ZaffiriniDemocrat · Primary Author

Joint Authors

Tan Parker (R)

House Sponsor

Rep. Angie ButtonRepublican · Primary Sponsor

Bill Text(with markup)

S.B. No. 1535

View bill text in multiple formats on Texas Legislature website

Fiscal NoteView Original

	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.

LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD
Austin, Texas

FISCAL NOTE, 89TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION


March 16, 2025

TO:	Honorable Phil King, Chair, Senate Committee on Economic Development

FROM:	Jerry McGinty, Director, Legislative Budget Board

IN RE:	SB1535 by Zaffirini (Relating to the establishment by the Texas Workforce Commission of an advanced nuclear energy workforce development program.), As Introduced

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

It is assumed that any costs associated with the bill could be absorbed using existing resources.

Local Government Impact

No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.

Source Agencies:

320 Texas Workforce Commission, 455 Railroad Commission, 781 Higher Education Coordinating Board

LBB Staff:

JMc, RStu, JBel

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Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about SB1535

What does Texas SB1535 do?

SB 1535 mandates the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) to establish a dedicated workforce development program for the advanced nuclear energy sector, effectively shifting specific training costs from private employers to the state. This legislation creates a strategic procurement opportunity for nuclear operators, EPC contractors, and engineering firms to utilize state-subsidized labor pipelines, provided they actively participate in the curriculum design process. Implementation Timeline Effective Date: September 1, 2025 Compliance Deadline: Q4 2025 (Strategic) – While there is no mandatory compliance date, companies must engage during the initial rulemaking window to ensure state curriculum aligns with internal hiring standards.

Who authored SB1535?

SB1535 was authored by Texas Senator Judith Zaffirini during the Regular Session.

When was SB1535 signed into law?

SB1535 was signed into law by Governor Greg Abbott on June 20, 2025.

Which agencies enforce SB1535?

SB1535 is enforced by Texas Workforce Commission.

How urgent is compliance with SB1535?

The compliance urgency for SB1535 is rated as "moderate". Businesses and organizations should review the requirements and timeline to ensure timely compliance.

What is the cost impact of SB1535?

The cost impact of SB1535 is estimated as "low". This may vary based on industry and implementation requirements.

What topics does SB1535 address?

SB1535 addresses topics including education, education--higher, education--higher--finance, education--higher--institutions & programs and education--junior college districts.

Legislative data provided by LegiScanLast updated: November 25, 2025

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