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TWC approves rule‑review notices, federal WIOA waiver requests, grant awards and program funding changes
Summary
The Texas Workforce Commission voted to publish five chapters for four‑year rule review, approve five WIOA waiver requests for submission to the U.S. Department of Labor, award FY2026 JET grants, restructure military‑to‑civilian employment funding with an additional $249,948, and confirm several local board nominees.
The Texas Workforce Commission on April 21 approved a series of routine administrative and programmatic actions, including publication of notices to review five administrative chapters, adoption of five federal waiver requests, awards under the Jobs and Education for Texans grant program, and a restructuring of military‑to‑civilian employment program funds.
Reed O’Brien, with the commission’s Office of General Counsel, told commissioners that Texas Government Code Chapter 2001 requires agencies to review rules every four years and presented staff’s notice of intent to review 40 Texas Administrative Code Chapters 808 (Youth Driver Education Funding Program), 821 (Texas Payday Rules), 835 (Self‑Sufficiency Fund), 849 (Employment and Training Services for Dislocated Workers Eligible for Trade Benefits), and 850 (Vocational Rehabilitation Services). Commissioners approved publication of the notices for a 30‑day public comment period.
On federal waivers, Shirley Jones of Workforce Development presented five proposed waivers to sections of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act related to migrant and seasonal farmworker outreach, part‑time outreach workers, youth incentive expansions, certain non‑WIOA training services, and a PEL eligibility exemption. Staff said the waivers were developed with local workforce boards and in accordance with federal guidance; commissioners voted to approve the request for submission to the U.S. Department of Labor.
The commission also approved FY2026 awards under the Jobs and Education for Texans (JET) grant program. Matt Snideki reported the JET RFA was issued Oct. 31, 2025 and that staff received 181 applications (41 from institutions of higher education and 140 from open‑enrollment charter schools and school districts). The JET Advisory Board recommended awards based on final evaluation scores and an ability to move down the list 60 points if additional funds become available; commissioners approved staff’s recommendation.
Bob Gear, director of the Texas Veterans Leadership Program, presented staff’s recommendation to restructure distribution for the military‑to‑civilian employment program and add $249,948 in additional FY2026 statewide WIOA funds, for a total appropriation of roughly $2.5 million to support the program. Staff described an opt‑in distribution methodology, $100,000 starter awards for some board areas, and reserving funds for boards that opt not to participate; commissioners approved the restructuring and additional funds.
Commissioners also confirmed nominees for several local workforce development boards (Deep East Texas; North Central Texas; Panhandle; Rural Capital Area) and welcomed Naomi How as a new appeals attorney on staff, then adjourned the meeting.
Most votes were recorded as motions with commissioners indicating concurrence and noting short‑form dissents where appropriate; the meeting record shows approvals but does not include a roll‑call tally for every motion in the transcript excerpt.
