89R5400 CXP-D
By: Guillen H.B. No. 2193
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to a study by the Texas Veterans Commission regarding the
provision of veterans benefits in this state.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. (a) In this Act, "commission" means the Texas
Veterans Commission.
(b) The commission shall conduct a study to determine:
(1) the number of veterans in this state who are
entitled under state or federal law to receive veterans benefits
managed, provided, or facilitated by the commission;
(2) the location of the veterans described by
Subdivision (1) of this subsection disaggregated by county;
(3) the number of claims benefit advisors employed by
the commission;
(4) the number of claims benefit advisors necessary
for the commission to employ and the geographic locations at which
the advisors should perform their duties in order to provide
services to veterans in the most efficient manner considering:
(A) the geographic areas currently served by
veterans county service officers; and
(B) the option of allowing multiple counties to
be served at the same location in a way that minimizes drive times
and distances traveled by veterans to receive services; and
(5) the costs to implement the service delivery system
described by Subdivision (4) of this subsection, including the
estimated costs of hiring, training, and equipping claims benefit
advisors and of offices and office operations and support staff.
(c) In determining the costs under Subsection (b)(5) of this
section, the commission may consider collocating claims benefit
advisors with facilities, institutions, and organizations that are
currently providing services to veterans.
(d) Not later than June 1, 2026, the commission shall submit
to the governor, the lieutenant governor, the speaker of the house
of representatives, and each member of the legislature a report on
the results of the study and any recommendations for legislative or
other action.
SECTION 2. This Act expires January 1, 2027.
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, 2025.