(a) In accordance with the State Employee Training Act found at Government Code, Chapter 656, Subchapter C, agency staff may be permitted or required to attend training or education programs if those programs relate to the employee's duties or prospective duties, materially aid effective administration of the agency's functions, and serve an important public purpose.
(b) The Council's Executive Director shall be eligible to attend training and education programs, and shall determine which other employees will be permitted or required to attend training.
(c) Employees who receive training must utilize the training opportunity to prepare for technological and legal developments facing the agency, or to increase professional capabilities or competence directly related to the work of the agency.
(d) An employee, prior to receiving training for three or more months, during which the employee does not perform the employee's regular duties, must enter into a written agreement with the Council to comply with the requirements of §656.103(a) of the Government Code. Employees who fail or refuse to enter into such an agreement shall not be permitted to attend training lasting three or more months.
(e) The Council shall pay the costs and expenses related to approved training in accordance with the State Employee Training Act, the Comptroller's rules and regulations, and the Council's own policies relating to employee reimbursement.

Source Note: The provisions of this §881.31 adopted to be effective September 1, 2020, 45 TexReg 4754