H.B. 1749 78(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


H.B. 1749
By: Hupp
Defense Affairs and State-Federal Relations
Committee Report (Unamended)



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Under Section 49 of Article III of the Texas Constitution, the Veterans'
Land Board of the State of Texas (VLB) is allowed to administer the
Veterans' Land Program and the Veterans' Housing Assistance Program.  The
77th Legislature passed a constitutional amendment, which was approved by
the voters in November 2001, allowing excess assets in those programs also
to be used to plan and design, operate, maintain, enlarge, or improve
veterans cemeteries. The VLB also currently operates four state veterans
homes.  The Texas Constitution does not currently provide for the use of
assets in the Veterans' Land Program or the Veterans' Housing Assistance
Program for the state veterans home program.  HB 1749 is the enacting
clause for HJR 68 which amends the Texas Constitution to provide that if
the Veterans' Land Board determines that receipts of the veterans' land
fund, veterans' housing assistance fund, or veterans' housing assistance
fund II are not required for the payment of debt service on the general
obligation bonds benefitting those funds, the VLB may use such receipts to
pay the debt service on any revenue bonds issued by the VLB.   


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. 


ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  This SECTION strikes references to inexistent provisions in
the Texas Constitution and allows flexibility to the VLB to use excess
money from various funds administered by the Board to be used in the
Veterans Home program.  

SECTION 2.  Effective Date:  This Act takes effect on the date on which
the associated constitutional amendment takes effect.  If that amendment
is not approved by the voters, this Act has no effect.