By: Van de Putte, et al. S.B. No. 1796
(Miller of Erath)
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the creation of the Texas Coordinating Council for
Veterans Services.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Chapter 434, Government Code, is amended by
adding Subchapter D to read as follows:
SUBCHAPTER D. TEXAS COORDINATING COUNCIL FOR VETERANS SERVICES
Sec. 434.151. DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter:
(1) "Council" means the Texas Coordinating Council for
Veterans Services.
(2) "Servicemember" has the meaning assigned by
Section 161.551, Health and Safety Code.
Sec. 434.152. TEXAS COORDINATING COUNCIL FOR VETERANS
SERVICES. The Texas Coordinating Council for Veterans Services is
established to:
(1) coordinate the activities of state agencies that
assist veterans, servicemembers, and their families;
(2) coordinate outreach efforts that ensure that
veterans, servicemembers, and their families are made aware of
services; and
(3) facilitate collaborative relationships among
state, federal, and local agencies and private organizations to
identify and address issues affecting veterans, servicemembers,
and their families.
Sec. 434.153. COMPOSITION OF COUNCIL. The council is
composed of the executive head of the following agencies, or that
person's designated representative:
(1) the Texas Veterans Commission;
(2) the Veterans' Land Board;
(3) the adjutant general's department; and
(4) the Health and Human Services Commission.
Sec. 434.154. COORDINATING WORKGROUPS; ADDITIONAL COUNCIL
MEMBERS. (a) The council may, by majority vote, establish the
following coordinating workgroups to focus on specific issues
affecting veterans, servicemembers, and their families:
(1) health or mental health;
(2) employment;
(3) higher education;
(4) criminal justice;
(5) housing; and
(6) any other coordinating workgroup considered
necessary.
(b) If the council votes to establish a health or mental
health coordinating workgroup, the membership of the council also
includes the executive head of the following agencies, or that
person's designated representative:
(1) the Department of State Health Services;
(2) the Department of Aging and Disability Services;
and
(3) the Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative
Services.
(c) If the council votes to establish an employment
coordinating workgroup, the membership of the council also includes
the executive head of the following agencies, or that person's
designated representative:
(1) the Texas Workforce Commission; and
(2) the Texas Workforce Investment Council.
(d) If the council votes to establish a higher education
coordinating workgroup, the membership of the council also includes
the commissioner of higher education, or the commissioner's
designated representative.
(e) If the council votes to establish a criminal justice
coordinating workgroup, the membership of the council also includes
the executive head of the following entities, or that person's
designated representative:
(1) the Texas Correctional Office on Offenders with
Medical or Mental Impairments; and
(2) the Commission on Jail Standards.
(f) If the council votes to establish a housing coordinating
workgroup, the membership of the council also includes the
executive head of the following agencies, or that person's
designated representative:
(1) the Texas Department of Housing and Community
Affairs; and
(2) the Texas Department of Rural Affairs.
(g) Each member of the council may invite one organization
or agency that provides services to veterans, servicemembers, and
their families, but that is not otherwise a member of the council,
to designate a representative to participate in a coordinating
workgroup through procedures established by the council.
Sec. 434.155. PRESIDING OFFICER. The executive director of
the Texas Veterans Commission shall serve as the presiding officer.
Sec. 434.156. MEETINGS. The council shall meet at least
annually and at the call of the presiding officer.
Sec. 434.157. ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT. (a) The council is
administratively attached to the Texas Veterans Commission. The
Texas Veterans Commission may provide administrative support and
resources to the council as necessary to enable the council to
perform its duties.
(b) A state agency represented on the council shall support
the agency's involvement with the council and provide staff support
as needed to the council.
(c) The designated representative of any organization or
agency that accepts an invitation to serve on a coordinating
workgroup of the council under Section 434.154(g) is not entitled
to compensation, but is entitled to reimbursement of the
representative's travel expenses as provided by Chapter 660 and the
General Appropriations Act.
Sec. 434.158. REPORT BY COUNCIL. Not later than October 1
of each even-numbered year, the council shall submit a report to the
governor, lieutenant governor, speaker of the house of
representatives, and chairs of the appropriate committees of the
legislature detailing the work of the council and any
recommendations.
SECTION 2. The presiding officer of the Texas Coordinating
Council for Veterans Services shall call the initial meeting of the
council not later than November 1, 2011.
SECTION 3. This Act does not make an appropriation or
require a specific appropriation. Any new duty imposed on a state
agency as a result of the Act can be performed through the
appropriations provided by the legislature as part of the existing
responsibilities of the state agency.
SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2011.