Establishes a comprehensive grant program administered by the board of higher education to address workforce shortages in the commercial trucking industry.

Establishes a comprehensive grant program administered by the board of higher education to address workforce shortages in the commercial trucking industry. The program aims to create collaborative partnerships between employers, educational institutions, and workforce development organizations to train and support trucking industry personnel, including truck drivers, mechanics, technicians, and support staff. The grant program will focus on improving employment opportunities for low-income individuals, women, minorities, and veterans, providing training and career development services, boosting instructor capacity, and supporting worker retention and upskilling strategies. Eligible applicants include employers, educational institutions, workforce development boards, career centers, and training programs. Grant proposals must outline specific goals for increasing trucking industry personnel, detail evidence-based training programs, provide a budget, and specify anticipated participation and employment outcomes. Additionally, the bill requires the registrar of motor vehicles to provide information about trucking industry careers to learner's permit applicants, aiming to generate interest in the field. The department of higher education will conduct annual reviews of grantees and submit a comprehensive report to legislative committees detailing program activities, participant numbers, and employment results.

Pending Committee action.

02/27/2025 Referred to Senate Committee on Transportation.