Texas Senate Bill SB1660

Texas 2011 - 82nd Regular

• Introduced: 3/11/11
• Out of Senate Committee: 4/11/11
• Voted on by Senate: 4/21/11
• Refer: 3/23/11
• Out of House Committee: 5/17/11
• Report Pass: 4/11/11
• Voted on by House: 5/20/11
• Engrossed: 4/21/11
• Governor Action: 6/17/11
• Refer: 4/29/11
• Report Pass: 5/6/11
• Enrolled: 5/21/11
• Passed: 6/17/11

Caption

Relating to certain unclaimed property of veterans and veterans' families.

Impact

The proposed changes reflect a growing recognition of the need to support veterans in navigating bureaucracy associated with their benefits. The amendment emphasizes the importance of informing veterans and their families about the existence of unclaimed property and facilitating the claims process. With clearer guidelines, it is anticipated that more veterans and their beneficiaries will be able to retrieve benefits that may otherwise remain dormant due to lack of awareness or complexity in the current systems.

Summary

Senate Bill 1660 aims to improve the processes surrounding unclaimed property belonging to veterans and their families. The bill seeks to amend Section 434.007 of the Government Code, which outlines the duties of the commission dedicated to veterans' affairs in Texas. By enhancing duties related to claims for unclaimed property held by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, the bill intends to streamline access to benefits for veterans and their families. This is a significant move to ensure that unclaimed property can be efficiently identified and claimed by those entitled to it due to their service.

Contention

While the bill is primarily aimed at enhancing veterans' benefits, potential points of contention could arise over how efficiently these measures will be implemented. Skeptics might question the capacity of existing staff and resources within the commission and related agencies to handle the increased responsibilities effectively. Moreover, discussions may also revolve around ensuring that the veterans’ service community is adequately informed of these changes and able to access the benefits promptly.