Enrolled Bill Summary

            House Bill 310 amends the Natural Resources Code to authorize an expansion of Veterans' Land Board programs and powers to include the provision of one or more veterans cemeteries. The board may plan and design, operate, maintain, enlarge, or improve veterans cemeteries, and may spend not more than $7 million annually for that purpose from available money in the veterans' land fund, veterans' housing assistance fund, and veterans' housing assistance fund II. However, those funds may not be used for cemetery land acquisition. The bill mandates the board, in conjunction with the Texas Veterans Commission chair and two representatives of the veterans community selected by the commission chair, to establish guidelines for determining the size and location of veterans cemeteries and determining eligibility for veterans cemetery burial. It requires the same group to select up to seven locations across the state for veterans cemeteries.

            The bill takes effect only on voter approval of the constitutional amendment proposed by House Joint Resolution 82. If that amendment is not approved by the voters, the bill has no effect.