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.