BILL ANALYSIS
By: Shapleigh
Defense Affairs & State-Federal Relations
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE
The Texas Veterans 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 these donations.
SB 1480 exempts the commission from Chapter 575, Government Code, which restricts the agency from receiving a gift that is valued at $500 or more. Further, SB 1480 sets up a permanent fund to which state monies and gifts can be directed.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
It is the committee's opinion that rulemaking authority is expressly granted to the Texas Veterans Commission in SECTION 1 (Section 403.108, Government Code) of this bill.
ANALYSIS
SECTION 1 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. This section prohibits the money in the fund from being appropriated for any purpose, except to enhance or improve veterans' assistance programs, including veterans' representation and counseling, and to make grants to local communities to address veterans' needs. This section also authorizes the commission to adopt rules governing the award of grants by the commission under this section and it authorizes the comptroller to solicit and accept gifts and grants to the fund. The gift or grant is 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.
SECTION 3 authorizes the commission to accept gifts of money and property and to accept grants.
EFFECTIVE DATE
This Act takes effect September 1, 2005.