Sec. 52.256.  PLAN AND REPORT OF WORKFORCE DIVERSITY AND OTHER BUSINESS PRACTICES.  (a)  In this section, "small business" and "historically underutilized business" have the meanings assigned by former Section 481.191, Government Code, as that section existed on January 1, 2015.
(b)  Before January 1, 2000, each telecommunications utility shall develop and submit to the commission a comprehensive five-year plan to enhance diversity of its workforce in all occupational categories and for increasing opportunities for small and historically underutilized businesses.  The plan must consist of:
(1)  the telecommunications utility's performance with regard to workforce diversity and contracting with small and historically underutilized businesses;
(2)  initiatives that the telecommunications utility will pursue in these areas over the period of the plan;
(3)  a listing of programs and activities the telecommunications utility will undertake to achieve each of these initiatives;  and
(4)  a listing of the business partnership initiatives the telecommunications utility will undertake to facilitate small and historically underutilized business entry into the telecommunications market, taking into account opportunities for contracting and joint ventures.
(c)  Each telecommunications utility shall submit an annual report to the commission and the legislature relating to its efforts to improve workforce diversity and contracting opportunities for small and historically underutilized businesses.  The report must include:
(1)  the diversity of the telecommunications utility's workforce as of the time of the report;
(2)  the telecommunications utility's level of contracting with small and historically underutilized businesses;
(3)  the specific progress made under the plan under Subsection (b);
(4)  the specific initiatives, programs, and activities undertaken under the plan during the preceding year;
(5)  an assessment of the success of each of those initiatives, programs, and activities;
(6)  the extent to which the telecommunications utility has carried out its initiatives to facilitate opportunities for contracts or joint ventures with small and historically underutilized businesses;  and
(7)  the initiatives, programs, and activities the telecommunications utility will pursue during the next year to increase the diversity of its workforce and contracting opportunities for small and historically underutilized businesses.
Added by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 1212, Sec. 14, eff. Sept. 1, 1999.
Amended by: 
Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 364 (H.B. 2667), Sec. 5, eff. September 1, 2015.