By: Davis, Van de Putte S.B. No. 1739
(Pickett)
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the use of the fund for veterans' assistance.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subsection (c), Section 434.017, Government
Code, is amended to read as follows:
(c) Money in the fund may only be appropriated to the Texas
Veterans Commission. Money appropriated under this subsection
shall be used to:
(1) [enhance or improve veterans' assistance programs,
including veterans' representation and counseling;
[(2)] make grants to address veterans' needs; and
(2) [(3)] administer the fund.
SECTION 2. Subsections (a) and (e), Section 434.017,
Government Code, as amended by Chapters 840 (S.B. 1940) and 1385
(S.B. 1655), Acts of the 81st Legislature, Regular Session, 2009,
are reenacted and amended to read as follows:
(a) The fund for veterans' assistance is a special fund in
the state treasury outside the general revenue fund. The fund is
composed of:
(1) money transferred to the fund at the direction of
the legislature;
(2) gifts and grants contributed to the fund;
(3) the earnings of the fund; [and]
(4) money transferred to the fund from proceeds of the
lottery game operated under Section 466.027 or transferred to the
fund under Section 466.408(b); and
(5) [(2)] money deposited to the credit of the fund
under Section 502.1746, Transportation Code.
(e) To carry out any purpose of this chapter, the commission
[Texas Veterans Commission] may solicit, [and] accept, or refuse a
gift, grant, devise, bequest of money, security, service, or
property, including money raised or a service provided by a
volunteer or volunteer group, to promote the work of the commission
for any purpose related to the fund for veterans' assistance. The
commission may participate in the establishment and operation of an
affiliated nonprofit organization that is established for the
purpose of raising money for or providing services or other
benefits to the commission. A gift, grant, devise, or bequest to
the fund may be appropriated in the same manner as other money in
the fund, subject to the purposes provided by Subsection (c) and any
limitation or requirement placed on the gift, grant, devise, or
bequest by the donor or granting entity.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
Act takes effect September 1, 2011.