SRC-TBR C.S.H.J.R. 82 77(R)BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research CenterC.S.H.J.R. 82
By: Counts (Truan)
Finance
5/10/2001
Committee Report (Substituted)


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

Current articles of the Texas Constitution that govern the use of the
veterans' land fund, the veterans' housing assistance fund and the
veterans' housing assistance fund II do not provide for the use of those
funds for the veterans home or proposed veterans cemeteries programs of the
Veterans' Land Board (board).  Currently, the board is authorized to issue
additional general obligation bonds for the veterans' housing assistance
program.  However, it is estimated that those funds will be exhausted by
the end of 2001. C.S.H.J.R. 82 requires the submission to the voters of a
constitutional amendment providing for the issuance of additional general
obligation bonds to provide home mortgage loans to veterans.  

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 49-b, Article III, Texas Constitution, by
amending Subsection (s) and adding Subsection (w), as follows: 

(s)  Authorizes the Veterans' Land Board (board), if the board determines
that assets from the Veterans' Land Fund, the Veterans' Housing Assistance
Fund, or the Veterans' Housing Assistance Fund II are not required for the
purposes of the fund, to use the assets to plan and design, operate,
maintain, enlarge, or improve veterans cemeteries. 

(w)  Provides that in addition to the general obligation bonds authorized
to be issued and to be sold by the Veterans' Land Board by previous
constitutional amendments, the board may provide for, issue, and sell
general obligation bonds of the state to provide home mortgage loans to
veterans of the state.  Prohibits the principal amount of outstanding bonds
authorized by this subsection from at any one time exceeding $500 million.
Requires the bond proceeds to be deposited in or used to benefit and
augment the Veterans' Housing Assistance Fund II and to be administered and
invested as provided by law.  Requires payments of principal and interest
on the bonds, including payments made under a bond enhancement agreement
with respect to principal of or interest on the bonds, to be made from the
sources and in the manner provided by this section for general obligation
bonds issued for the benefit of the Veterans' Housing Assistance Fund II. 

SECTION 2.  Requires this proposed constitutional amendment to be submitted
to the voters at an election to be held November 6, 2001.  Requires the
ballot to be printed to permit voting for or against the proposition:  "The
constitutional amendment authorizing the Veterans' Land Board to issue up
to $500 million in general obligation bonds payable from the general
revenues of the state for veterans' housing assistance and to use assets in
certain veterans' land and veterans' housing assistance funds to provide
veterans homes for the aged or infirm and veterans cemeteries.