BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center                                                                                                        S.B. 581

                                                                                                                                By: Van de Putte

Veteran Affairs & Military Installations

5/17/2005

Enrolled

AUTHOR'S/SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

The Veterans' Land Board (VLB) has two programs that are currently constructing veteran homes and cemeteries:  the Texas State Veterans Homes Program and the Texas State Veterans Cemetery Program.  However, current law does not give the VLB full authority for purchasing and construction functions for materials needed to build veteran homes and cemeteries.  S.B. 581 provides the VLB with such purchasing and construction functions and exempts the VLB from the guidelines of the Texas Building and Procurement Commission. 

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 Subchapter C, Chapter 2155, Government Code, by adding Section 2155.149, as follows:

Sec. 2155.149.  CERTAIN PURCHASES BY VETERANS' LAND BOARD.  (a)  Provides that the Veterans' Land Board (VLB) is delegated all purchasing functions relating to veterans homes and veterans cemeteries. 

(b)  Requires the VLB to acquire goods and services under Subsection (a) by any procurement method that provides the best value to the VLB.  Requires the VLB to consider the best value standards listed in Section 2155.074 (Best Value Standard for Purchase of Goods or Services).

(c)  Requires the Texas Building and Procurement Commission (commission) to procure goods and services described by Subsection (a) for the VLB at the request of the VLB, and authorizes the VLB to use the services of the commission in procuring goods and services as described by Subsection (a).

SECTION 2.  Amends Section 2166.003(a), Government Code, to specify that, unless otherwise provided, this chapter does not apply to a project constructed by and for the Veterans' Land Board.  Makes nonsubstantive changes.  Changes former reference to the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. 

SECTION 3.  Amends Section 161.001(a)(7), Natural Resources Code, to redefine "veteran."

SECTION 4.  Makes application of Sections 1 and 2 of this Act prospective.

SECTION 5.  Effective date:  September 1, 2005.