POWERS AND DUTIES OF COMMISSION.

(a) The commission may adopt rules as necessary for its procedures.

(b) The commission, with an emphasis on the changing demographics of this state, shall:

(1) assess and identify future higher education and workforce needs in the state and the state's ability to meet those needs; and

(2) develop recommendations for meeting those needs by the state's bicentennial in 2036, including recommendations for achieving the following goals by that date:

(A) attaining a state workforce in which at least 60 percent of its workers hold a postsecondary credential, certificate, or degree of value in the workplace;

(B) increasing by at least three the number of institutions of higher education designated as research institutions under the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board's accountability system;

(C) ensuring the alignment of workforce development with higher education in this state;

(D) increasing the college-attending population in this state to a level that is comparable to the best performing states on that measure;

(E) improving the affordability of higher education in this state while maintaining excellence; and

(F) ensuring the global competitiveness of the state workforce.