1. (a) Eligible grant recipients are the entities eligible to apply to the Agency for IRAP funding.

2. (b) Approved grant recipients shall:

   1. (1) be the fiscal agents for the funds and are subject to the annual report procedures set forth in Texas Labor Code, §302.258;
   2. (2) apply to the Agency in the form and manner prescribed by the NOA;
   3. (3) be in good standing under the laws of the state, as evidenced by a certificate issued by the secretary of state;
   4. (4) not owe delinquent taxes to a taxing unit of Texas; and

   5. (5) operate a certified IRAP that:

      1. (A) provides on-the-job training under an industry-recognized, accredited training curriculum;
      2. (B) guarantees employment to participants during and upon successful completion of the training period;
      3. (C) pays each participant a progressive wage and provides eligibility for participants to receive full-time employee benefits during and upon successful completion of the training period, equal to or above the impacted workforce area's self-sufficiency wage;
      4. (D) requires participants to advance their skills, at a minimum, to a credentialed, performance-verified mid-level status in a field related to the IRAP;
      5. (E) has a duration of no longer than 26 weeks; and

      6. (F) gives preference to training and hiring:

         1. (i) unemployed Texans who have registered with the Agency;
         2. (ii) veterans of the United States armed forces;
         3. (iii) formerly incarcerated individuals; and
         4. (iv) underemployed individuals who are working without industry-recognized certifications or other credentials.

Source Note:The provisions of this §838.13 adopted to be effective December 28, 2020, 45 TexReg 9573.