79R6946 JRD-F

By:  Shapleigh                                                    S.B. No. 1480



A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the powers and duties of the Texas Veterans Commission.           
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  Subchapter G, Chapter 403, Government Code, is 
amended by adding Section 403.108 to read as follows:
	Sec. 403.108.  PERMANENT FUND FOR VETERANS' ASSISTANCE. (a)  
The permanent fund for veterans' assistance is a special fund in the 
state treasury outside the general revenue fund.  The fund is 
composed of:
		(1)  money transferred to the fund at the direction of 
the legislature;
		(2)  gifts and grants contributed to the fund; and                     
		(3)  the available earnings of the fund determined in 
accordance with Section 403.1068.
	(b)  Except as provided by Subsections (c) and (e), money in 
the fund may not be appropriated for any purpose.
	(c)  The available earnings of the fund may be appropriated 
to the Texas Veterans Commission to:
		(1)  enhance or improve veterans' assistance programs, 
including veterans' representation and counseling; and
		(2)  make grants to local communities to address 
veterans' needs.    
	(d)  The Texas Veterans Commission may adopt rules governing 
the award of grants by the commission under this section.
	(e)  The comptroller may solicit and accept gifts and grants 
to the fund.  A gift or grant to the fund may 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)  Sections 403.095 and 404.071 do not apply to the fund.             
	SECTION 2.  Section 403.1068(a), Government Code, is amended 
to read as follows:
	(a)  This section applies only to management of the permanent 
funds established under Sections 403.105, 403.1055, 403.106, 
403.1065, [and] 403.1066, and 403.108.
	SECTION 3.  Subchapter A, Chapter 434, Government Code, is 
amended by adding Section 434.016 to read as follows:
	Sec. 434.016.  GIFTS AND GRANTS.  (a)  The commission may 
accept gifts of money and property and may accept grants.
	(b)  Chapter 575 does not apply to the commission.                      
	SECTION 4.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2005.