BILL ANALYSIS


State Affairs Committee
H.B. 340
By: Counts
March 14, 1995
Committee Report (Unamended)


BACKGROUND

The State of Texas currently has a veteran population of
approximately 1.8 million, among whom over 650,000 are over the age
of 60.  A large number of elderly veterans are needy and require
continuous medical care, domiciliary and/or nursing home care
during the last years of their lives.  State homes are already
established in 43 other states for disabled veterans.  These states
also furnish nursing home care for such veterans, with the cost of
such homes shared by the federal government through per diem
payments, construction grants, and veteran participant fees.

PURPOSE

HB 340 authorizes the Texas Veterans Commission to determine the
need for a system of state residential care facilities for disabled
veterans.

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.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Subchapter A, Chapter 434 of the Government Code
by adding Section 434.0075 which states the findings of the
legislature.  Further describes the intent of the legislature to
determine the extent of need in this state to provide for disabled
veterans on a level as provided by other states.  Also authorizes
the Texas Veterans Commission to contract with a qualified
consulting firm to study needs, feasibility and establishment of a
veterans care facility and only requires them to enter into a
contract if money is appropriated for that purpose by the
legislature.  Findings shall be reported to the governor and
presiding officer of each house before December 1, 1997.

SECTION 2.  Effective date: September 1, 1995.

SECTION 3.  Emergency clause.

SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE ACTION

Pursuant to public notice posted on March 1, 1995, the Committee on
State Affairs convened in a public hearing on March 6, 1995 to
consider HB 340.  The Chair laid out HB 340 and recognized Rep.
Counts to explain the bill.  The Chair recognized Samuel Bier
representing the Texas Veterans Commission to provide neutral
testimony on the bill.  Rep. Black moved that HB 340 be reported
favorably without amendment with the recommendation that it be sent
to the Committee on Local and Consent Calendars which prevailed by
a record vote of 12 ayes, 0 nays, 1 pnv, and 2 absent.