BILL ANALYSIS


                                                        S.B. 1526
                                                    By: Zaffirini
                                                  Veteran Affairs
                                                         04-10-95
                                     Committee Report (Unamended)
BACKGROUND

The State of Texas currently has a veteran population of
approximately 1.8 million, among whom over 651,000 are over 60
years old.  A large population of the elderly veterans are needy
and require continuous medical care, or domiciliary and/or nursing
home care during the last years of their lives.  State homes are
already established in 43 states for disabled veterans.  The 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

As proposed, S.B. 1526 directs the Texas Veterans Commission to
determine the need for a system of state residential care
facilities for veterans who are disabled.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

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

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Chapter 434A, Government Code, by adding Section
434.0075, as follows:

     Sec.  434.0075.  FINDINGS AND STUDY ABOUT RESIDENTIAL CARE
     FACILITIES. (a)  Provides that the legislature finds that 43
     states have established state residential care facilities for
     veterans who are disabled by age, disease, or other causes and
     who, because of their disabilities, are incapable of earning
     a living.  Provides that the states' cost in providing the
     care is shared by the federal government through per diem
     payments, construction grants, and veteran participant fees. 
     Provides that the legislature also finds that this state
     currently has approximately 1.8 million resident veterans,
     among whom over 651,000 are age 60 or older.  Provides that
     many of these veterans are needy and will require continuous
     medical care, in-home care, or nursing home care during the
     last years of their lives.  Provides that it is the intent of
     the legislature to determine the extent to which there exists
     in this state the need to provide for disabled veterans
     residing in this state care that is similar to the care
     provided by other states.
     
     (b)  Requires the Texas Veterans Commission (commission) to
       contract with a qualified consulting firm to study the need
       for and the feasibility of establishing a system of
       residential care facilities for disabled veterans under the
       jurisdiction of the commission or of another agency of state
       government.  Requires the commission to present the written
       findings of the study to the governor and the presiding
       officer of each house of the legislature before December 1,
       1997.
       
       (c)  Requires the commission to enter into a contract under
       this section only if the legislature appropriates money for
       that purpose.  Authorizes the commission to use available
       resources to conduct its own study of the issue if the
       legislature does not appropriate money for the contract.
       
       (d)  Provides that this section expires June 1, 1999.
     SECTION 2.     Effective date:  September 1, 1995.

SECTION 3. Emergency clause.