SRC-BWC H.B. 271 77(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   H.B. 271
By: Berman (Truan)
Veteran Affairs & Military Installations
4/17/2001
Engrossed


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

Each branch of the United States military uses various terms to describe
the character of service for each person discharged from duty. While
"honorable" and "dishonorable" discharges are clearly identified as such,
other types of discharges are not as clearly described. Under current law,
participation in the Veterans' Land Program and the Veterans' Housing
Assistance Program (programs) is available to veterans who have not been
"dishonorably discharged." Because other terms are used to describe the
possible honorable and dishonorable conditions of a veteran's discharge, it
may be unclear as to whether participation in these programs is available
to certain discharged veterans.  As proposed, H.B.271 provides descriptions
of discharges which make a person eligible to receive benefits in the
programs.  

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 Section 161.001, Natural Resources Code, to provide that
for purposes of this section, a person who has been discharged from the
branch of the service in which the person served or from the Texas National
Guard is considered not to have been dishonorably discharged if the person
received an honorable discharge; received a discharge under honorable
conditions; or received a discharge and provides evidence from the United
States Department of Veterans Affairs, its successor, or other competent
authority that indicates that the character of the person's duty has been
determined to be other than dishonorable. 

SECTION 2.  Amends Section 162.001, Natural Resources Code, to make a
conforming change. 

SECTION 3.  Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2001. 
            Makes application of this Act prospective.