89R13863 LRM-D
By: Garcia of Bexar H.B. No. 4458
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to a pilot program to assist service members and veterans
in achieving self-reliance after separation from the military.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Chapter 434, Government Code, is amended by
adding Subchapter J to read as follows:
SUBCHAPTER J. TEXAS VETERANS ACHIEVING SELF-RELIANCE PILOT PROGRAM
Sec. 434.421. DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter:
(1) "Commission" means the Texas Veterans Commission.
(2) "Pilot program" means the pilot program
established under this subchapter.
(3) "Service member" means a member of:
(A) an active or reserve component of the United
States armed forces; or
(B) the Texas military forces.
(4) "Texas military forces" has the meaning assigned
by Section 437.001.
(5) "Veteran" means a former member of:
(A) an active or reserve component of the United
States armed forces; or
(B) the Texas military forces.
Sec. 434.422. PILOT PROGRAM. The commission by rule shall
establish the Texas Veterans Achieving Self-Reliance Pilot Program
to provide services intended to help a service member or a veteran
achieve self-reliance after separating from the military. The
program must assist the following persons:
(1) service members and veterans who within the last
year separated from:
(A) an active or reserve component of the United
States armed forces; or
(B) the Texas military forces; and
(2) spouses and dependents of the service members and
veterans described by Subdivision (1).
Sec. 434.423. SERVICES TO BE PROVIDED. The commission
shall solicit requests for proposals from veterans service
organizations to provide the persons described by Section 434.422
with information and education on:
(1) employment opportunities and related services;
(2) housing assistance programs;
(3) mental health services;
(4) career training; and
(5) other essential services determined appropriate
by the commission.
Sec. 434.424. EVALUATION AND CRITERIA. The commission
shall evaluate the received proposals and must approve at least one
or more veterans service organizations for funding to provide the
services described by Section 434.423. The commission may only
approve a proposal from an organization that has demonstrated in
its proposal:
(1) that it has experience working in this state with
service members or veterans or both to provide the services
described by Section 434.423; and
(2) that it has access to military bases and sites at
which the organization intends to provide the services described by
Section 434.423.
Sec. 434.425. REQUIREMENTS FOR PROVIDED SERVICES. The
services provided under the pilot program must be provided:
(1) only to persons described by Section 434.422; and
(2) at no cost to the service member or veteran or to
the spouses or dependents of the service member or veteran.
Sec. 434.426. GIFTS, GRANTS, AND DONATIONS. The commission
may accept gifts, grants, and donations to fund the pilot program
and may collaborate with other public or private entities for
additional funding or program expansion.
Sec. 434.427. REPORTING. Not later than October 1, 2028,
the commission shall prepare and submit to the governor, the
lieutenant governor, the speaker of the house of representatives,
and the standing committees of the legislature with primary
jurisdiction over veterans affairs a written report that contains:
(1) recommendations for legislative or other action;
and
(2) an evaluation of the pilot program's
effectiveness, including a recommendation on whether the pilot
program should be continued, expanded, or terminated.
Sec. 434.428. EXPIRATION. This subchapter expires
September 1, 2029.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.