1. (a) Use of state funds. The department may use state funds to provide training and education for its employees in accordance with provisions of the Texas Government Code, §§656.044-656.049.

   1. (1) Training to be duty related. The training or education shall be related to the duties or prospective duties of the employee.
   2. (2) Attendance may be required. A department employee may be required to attend, as part of the employee's duties, a training or education program related to the employee's duties or prospective duties.

   3. (3) Training program outline. The training and educational program of the department may include the following four elements:

      1. (A) preparing for technological and legal developments;
      2. (B) increasing work capabilities;
      3. (C) increasing the number of qualified employees in areas designated by institutions of higher education as having an acute faculty shortage; and
      4. (D) increasing the competence of department employees.
   4. (4) Purposes for which public funds may be used. The department may spend public funds as appropriate to pay the salary, tuition and other fees, travel and living expenses, training stipend, expense of training materials, and other necessary expenses of an instructor, student, or other participant in a training or education program.
   5. (5) Interagency coordination. The department may contract with another state, local or federal department, agency, or institution, including a state-supported college or university, to train or educate its employees or may join in presenting a training or educational program.
2. (b) Approval subject to available funds. Approval to participate in a training program is not automatic and may be subject to the availability of funds within the department's budget.

Source Note:The provisions of this §1.700 adopted to be effective June 24, 1998, 23 TexReg 6435.