BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center S.B. 2543 89R15676 CS-D By: Hancock Veteran Affairs 4/11/2025 As Filed AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT Under the Texas Natural Resources Code, the Texas State Veteran Cemetery Committee is responsible for setting guidelines on the location, size, and eligibility requirements for Texas State Veterans Cemeteries. The committee may select up to seven sites, with selection criteria based on factors such as land donations, operational funding, federal grants, and grant funding requirements. Today, Texas is home to 1.5 million veterans, and the state's veteran population continues to grow. To ensure every veteran has reasonable access to a state cemetery, there is increasing demand to establish additional locations. S.B. 2543 provides the committee with the flexibility to expand the cemetery system, allowing more families to honor their loved ones who dedicated their lives to serving our country. As proposed, S.B. 2543 amends current law relating to the location of and the amount of certain revenue that may be used for state veterans cemeteries. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Sections 164.005(f) and (h), Natural Resources Code, as follows: (f) Requires the Veterans Land Board (VLB), the chairman of the Texas Veterans Commission (chairman), and two representatives of the veterans community selected by the chairman to perform certain duties, including selecting locations, rather than selecting up to seven locations, across the state for veterans cemeteries. (h) Authorizes VLB to use funds available in certain funds assisting veterans that are authorized to be used for veterans cemeteries to perform certain work on veterans cemeteries. Deletes existing text providing that, of the funds available in certain funds assisting veterans that are authorized to be used for veterans cemeteries, VLB may spend not more than $7 million each fiscal year to perform certain work on veterans cemeteries. SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2025.
BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center S.B. 2543
89R15676 CS-D By: Hancock
Veteran Affairs
4/11/2025
As Filed
Senate Research Center
S.B. 2543
89R15676 CS-D
By: Hancock
Veteran Affairs
4/11/2025
As Filed
AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
Under the Texas Natural Resources Code, the Texas State Veteran Cemetery Committee is responsible for setting guidelines on the location, size, and eligibility requirements for Texas State Veterans Cemeteries. The committee may select up to seven sites, with selection criteria based on factors such as land donations, operational funding, federal grants, and grant funding requirements.
Today, Texas is home to 1.5 million veterans, and the state's veteran population continues to grow. To ensure every veteran has reasonable access to a state cemetery, there is increasing demand to establish additional locations. S.B. 2543 provides the committee with the flexibility to expand the cemetery system, allowing more families to honor their loved ones who dedicated their lives to serving our country.
As proposed, S.B. 2543 amends current law relating to the location of and the amount of certain revenue that may be used for state veterans cemeteries.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Sections 164.005(f) and (h), Natural Resources Code, as follows:
(f) Requires the Veterans Land Board (VLB), the chairman of the Texas Veterans Commission (chairman), and two representatives of the veterans community selected by the chairman to perform certain duties, including selecting locations, rather than selecting up to seven locations, across the state for veterans cemeteries.
(h) Authorizes VLB to use funds available in certain funds assisting veterans that are authorized to be used for veterans cemeteries to perform certain work on veterans cemeteries. Deletes existing text providing that, of the funds available in certain funds assisting veterans that are authorized to be used for veterans cemeteries, VLB may spend not more than $7 million each fiscal year to perform certain work on veterans cemeteries.
SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2025.