SRC-AMY H.B. 3211 78(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   H.B. 3211
78R6081 MCK-FBy: Heflin (Van de Putte)
Veteran Affairs & Military Installations
5/17/2003
Engrossed


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

The Veterans' Land Board (VLB), through its authority in Chapter 161,
Natural Resources Code, provides loans for the purchase of land to
eligible veterans.  The VLB land program has been making land loans to
veterans since 1949 and is the only program of its kind in the nation.
Former members of the armed forces of the Republic of Vietnam cannot
return to their native country, and cannot receive any benefits for their
service.  Many of them are now citizens, or legal residents, of the United
States.  H.B. 3211 expands the definition of "veteran" for eligibility for
VLB benefits to include former members of the armed forces of the Republic
of Vietnam. 

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(a)(7), Natural Resources Code, to
include in the definition of "veteran" a person who served in the armed
forces of the Republic of Vietnam between February 28, 1961, and May 7,
1975, if the Veterans' Land Board (VLB) adopts a rule regarding these
veterans under Subsection (b), and to decrease the required term of
residency at the time of the person's enlistment, induction,
commissioning, appointment, or drafting from five years to one year.  

SECTION 2.  Amends Section 161.001(b), Natural Resources Code, to require
the rule, if VLB adopts a rule to change the definition of "veteran" to
include a person who served in the armed forces of the Republic of Vietnam
between February 28, 1961, and May 7, 1975, to include procedures for
establishing proof of that service. 

SECTION 3.  Amends Section 162.001(a)(8), Natural Resources Code, to
specify that "veteran" has the meaning assigned by Section 161.001 and to
delete text referring to the components of the term "veteran." 

SECTION 4.  Amends Section 164.002(a)(6), Natural Resources Code, to make
conforming changes. 

SECTION 5.  Repealer: Sections 162.001(b) (referring to VLB's
authorization to change the definition of "veteran") and (c) (referring to
discharge from a branch of the service) and 164.002(b) (referring to VLB's
authorization to change the definition of "veteran"), Natural Resources
Code. 

SECTION 6.  Effective date:  upon passage or September 1, 2003.