BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center S.B. 1480
By: Shapleigh
Veteran Affairs & Military Installations
AUTHOR'S/SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
The Texas Veterans Commission (commission) often receives requests to accept equipment that individuals and entities want to donate to the commission. Additionally, the commission is offered monetary gifts allocated to help veterans in the state. However, the commission does not currently have the authority to honor the requests of those that seek to assist veterans through donations to the commission.
S.B. 1480 exempts the commission from Chapter 575, Government Code, which restricts the agency from receiving a gift that is valued at $500 or more. Moreover, S.B. 1480 sets up a permanent fund to which state monies and gifts can be directed.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
Rulemaking authority is expressly granted to the Texas Veterans Commission in SECTION 1 (Section 403.108, Government Code) of this bill.
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Subchapter G, Chapter 403, Government Code, by adding Section 403.108, as follows:
Sec. 403.108. PERMANENT FUND FOR VETERANS' ASSISTANCE. (a) Provides that the permanent fund for veterans' assistance is a special fund in the state treasury outside the general revenue fund and is composed of certain monies.
(b) Prohibits money in the fund from being appropriated for any purpose, except as provided by Subsections (c) and (e).
(c) Authorizes the available earnings of the fund to be appropriated to the Texas Veterans Commission (commission) to enhance or improve veterans' assistance programs, including veterans' representation and counseling, and to make grants to local communities to address veterans' needs.
(d) Authorizes the commission to adopt rules governing the award of grants by the commission under this section.
(e) Authorizes the comptroller to solicit and accept gifts and grants to the fund. Authorizes a gift or grant to be appropriated in the same manner as the available earnings of the fund, subject to any limitation or requirement placed on the gift or grant by the donor or granting entity.
(f) Provides that Sections 403.095 (Use of Dedicated Revenue) and 404.071 (Disposition of Interest on Investment) do not apply to the fund.
SECTION 2. Amends Section 403.1068(a), Government Code, to make a conforming change.
SECTION 3. Amends Subchapter A, Chapter 434, Government Code, by adding Section 434.016, as follows:
Sec. 434.016. GRANTS AND GIFTS. Authorizes the commission to accept gifts of money and property and to accept grants.
SECTION 4. Effective date: September 1, 2005.