79R5694 UM-D

By:  Dunnam                                                       H.B. No. 3345



A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the creation of the Texas Homefront Heroes program.               
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  Chapter 434, Government Code, is amended by 
adding Subchapter D to read as follows:

SUBCHAPTER D.  TEXAS HOMEFRONT HEROES PROGRAM
	Sec. 434.151.  TEXAS HOMEFRONT HEROES PROGRAM.  (a) The 
Texas Homefront Heroes program is established to provide temporary 
financial assistance and other services to the family members of 
personnel on active duty with the army, navy, air force, coast 
guard, or marine corps of the United States or an auxiliary service 
or reserve unit of one of those branches of the armed forces, or the 
state military forces, as defined by Section 431.001.
	(b)  The Texas Veterans Commission, in consultation with the 
advisory committee established under Section 434.153, shall adopt 
rules as necessary to implement the program.
	Sec. 434.152.  HOMEFRONT HEROES ACCOUNT.  (a)  The homefront 
heroes account is created in the general revenue fund.
	(b)  Money in the homefront heroes account may be 
appropriated only for the purposes of this subchapter.
	(c)  The Texas Veterans Commission may accept grants, gifts, 
or legislative appropriations from any public or private source for 
the purposes of the program and shall deposit any money received as 
a grant, gift, or appropriation to the credit of the homefront 
heroes account.
	Sec. 434.153.  ADVISORY COMMITTEE.  (a)  The Texas Veterans 
Commission shall establish a homefront heroes advisory committee to 
assist the commission in implementing the program created under 
this subchapter.
	(b)  The advisory committee is:                                         
		(1)  composed of nine members who are family members of 
active duty military personnel; and
		(2)  appointed by the Texas Veterans Commission.                       
	(c)  Members of the advisory committee serve without 
compensation but may be reimbursed for actual and necessary 
expenses related to the performance of committee duties.
	(d)  Reimbursement of expenses under Subsection (c) is 
subject to approval by the Texas Veterans Commission.
	(e)  The members of the advisory committee shall elect a 
presiding officer from among the members and shall adopt rules 
governing the operation of the committee.
	(f)  The advisory committee shall meet at the call of the 
presiding officer at least once each year.
	(g)  The committee shall make recommendations to the Texas 
Veterans Commission regarding:
		(1)  eligibility criteria for the Texas Homefront 
Heroes program;    
		(2)  the application process for the program; and                      
		(3)  the services that should be provided under the 
program, including:
			(A)  temporary financial assistance for recurring 
monthly expenses; 
			(B)  child care services;                                             
			(C)  health care;                                                     
			(D)  education; and                                                   
			(E)  employment and job training.                                     
	(h)  Chapter 2110 does not apply to the advisory committee.             
	SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2005.