BILL ANALYSIS

S.B. 538

By: King

Defense & Veterans' Affairs

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Current law restricts state agencies from using appropriated money for the purpose of publicity. This restriction makes agencies that require recruitment efforts to conduct operations, such as the Texas State Guard, unable to advertise, causing declining rates of enlistment. S.B. 538 seeks to address this issue by providing for the Texas State Guard to use appropriated funds for purposes of recruitment or retainment.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

S.B. 538 amends the Government Code to establish that the prohibitions against a state agency using appropriated money for certain publicity activities do not prohibit the Texas State Guard from using appropriated money for the purpose of recruiting or retaining service members, employees, or other personnel.

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or, if the bill does not receive the necessary vote, September 1, 2023.