SRC-CTC S.B. 1160 77(R)BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research CenterS.B. 1160
By: Truan
Veteran Affairs & Military Installations
5/28/2001
Enrolled


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

Currently, Texas has four veterans' nursing homes built according to former
federal guidelines that homes be located within 100 miles of a Veterans
Administration (V.A.) hospital.  Since this federal guideline is no longer
used, Texas has no criteria for the selection of locations for future
veterans homes. However, Texas does have a large population of veterans
with a need for homes in areas of the state not served by V.A. hospitals.
S.B. 1160 requires the Texas Veterans' Land Board of the General Land
Office to construct new veterans homes in areas with a large veteran
population that is not currently served by state veterans homes. 

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 164, Natural Resources Code, by adding Section
164.0051, as follows: 

Sec. 164.0051.  LOCATION OF VETERANS HOMES. Requires the Veterans' Land
Board, to the extent practicable, to consider the following criteria when
determining the location of new veterans homes in this state: 

_the geographic proximity to existing state veterans homes with special
regard to areas not served by state veterans homes; 

_the economic impact of the veterans home on the local community and the
veterans program; and 

_the areas with a significant veteran population without regard to
international boundaries. 

SECTION 2.  Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2001.