80R1258 TAD-D

By: Shapleigh S.B. No. 917

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the continuation and functions of the Texas Veterans Commission.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Section 434.002(a), Government Code, is amended to read as follows:

(a) The Texas Veterans Commission is subject to Chapter 325 (Texas Sunset Act). Unless continued in existence as provided by that chapter, the commission is abolished September 1, 2011 [2007].

SECTION 2. Section 434.003, Government Code, is amended by amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsection (e) to read as follows:

(a) The commission is composed of five members appointed by the governor with the advice and consent of the senate. The governor shall make each appointment without regard to the race, color, disability [creed], sex, religion, age, or national origin of the appointee.

(e) A person may not be a member of the commission if the person or the person's spouse:

(1) is employed by or participates in the management of a business entity or other organization, including a veterans service organization, approved by or receiving money from the commission;

(2) owns or controls, directly or indirectly, more than a 10 percent interest in a business entity or other organization approved by or receiving money from the commission; or

(3) uses or receives a substantial amount of tangible goods, services, or money from the commission other than compensation or reimbursement authorized by law for commission membership, attendance, or expense.

SECTION 3. Section 434.004, Government Code, is amended to read as follows:

Sec. 434.004. CONFLICT OF INTEREST. (a) In this section, "Texas trade association" means a cooperative and voluntarily joined statewide association of business or professional competitors in this state designed to assist its members and its industry or profession in dealing with mutual business or professional problems and in promoting their common interest.

(b) A person may not serve as a member of the commission and may not be a commission employee employed in a "bona fide executive, administrative, or professional capacity," as that phrase is used for purposes of establishing an exemption to the overtime provisions of the federal Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (29 U.S.C. Section 201 et seq.), if:

(1) the person is an officer, employee, or paid consultant of a Texas or national veterans service organization or a Texas trade association in the field of labor, workforce development, or career schools and colleges; or

(2) the person's spouse is an officer, manager, or paid consultant of a Texas or national veterans service organization or a Texas trade association in the field of labor, workforce development, or career schools and colleges.

(c) A person required to register as a lobbyist under Chapter 305 because of activities on behalf of a veterans association may not serve as a member of or as general counsel to the commission.

SECTION 4. Section 434.005, Government Code, is amended to read as follows:

Sec. 434.005. REMOVAL. (a) It is a ground for removal from the commission if a member:

(1) does [did] not have at the time of taking office [when appointed], or does not maintain during the service on the commission, the qualifications required by Section 434.003 for appointment to the commission;

(2) violates a prohibition under Section 434.004; [or]

(3) fails to attend at least half of the regularly scheduled commission meetings held in a calendar year, excluding meetings held while the person was not a member of the commission without an excuse approved by a majority vote of the commission; or

(4) cannot, because of illness or disability, discharge the member's duties for a substantial part of the member's term.

(b) The validity of an action of the commission is not affected by the fact that it is taken when a ground for removal of a commission member exists.

(c) If the executive director has knowledge that a potential ground for removal exists, the executive director shall notify the presiding officer of the commission of the potential ground. The presiding officer shall then notify the governor and the attorney general that a potential ground for removal exists. If the potential ground for removal involves the presiding officer, the executive director shall notify the next highest ranking officer of the commission, who shall then notify the governor and the attorney general that a potential ground for removal exists.

SECTION 5. Section 434.006, Government Code, is amended to read as follows:

Sec. 434.006. OFFICERS; COMMISSION ACTIONS. (a) The governor shall designate a member of the commission as the presiding officer of the commission to serve in that capacity at the pleasure of the governor.

(b) The commission annually shall elect from among its members an assistant presiding officer [a chairman, a vice-chairman,] and a secretary. An officer shall serve until the officer's successor is appointed and qualified.

(c) [(b)] The commission shall meet at least once in each three-month period. No action may be taken by less than a majority of the commission.

SECTION 6. Subchapter A, Chapter 434, Government Code, is amended by adding Section 434.0061 to read as follows:

Sec. 434.0061. TRAINING. (a) A person who is appointed to and qualifies for office as a member of the commission may not vote, deliberate, or be counted as a member in attendance at a meeting of the commission until the person completes a training program that complies with the section.

(b) The training program must provide the person with information regarding:

(1) the legislation that created the commission;

(2) the programs, functions, rules, and budget of the commission;

(3) the results of the most recent formal audit of the commission;

(4) the requirements of laws relating to open meetings, public information, administrative procedure, and conflicts of interest; and

(5) any applicable ethics policies adopted by the commission or the Texas Ethics Commission.

(c) A person appointed to the commission is entitled to reimbursement, as provided by the General Appropriations Act, for the travel expenses incurred in attending the training program regardless of whether the attendance at the program occurs before or after the person qualifies for office.

SECTION 7. Subchapter A, Chapter 434, Government Code, is amended by adding Sections 434.0072 through 434.0078 to read as follows:

Sec. 434.0072. MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING WITH VETERANS' LAND BOARD. (a) The commission's memorandum of understanding with the Veterans' Land Board must specify the guidelines, powers, and duties necessary for the Veterans' Land Board and the commission to coordinate veterans benefits outreach activities.

(b) The memorandum of understanding must address Veterans' Land Board and commission coordination with respect to the following veterans benefits outreach activities:

(1) operation of a joint communications center;

(2) combined direct mail efforts;

(3) sharing veterans contact databases;

(4) dissemination of information through a joint website and joint brochure;

(5) veterans benefits seminars; and

(6) any other veterans benefits outreach activity determined by the Veterans' Land Board and the commission to be appropriate for coordination by those agencies.

(c) The memorandum of understanding must identify the joint and separate powers and duties of the Veterans' Land Board and the commission as necessary to implement coordinated veterans benefits outreach activities, including powers and duties relating to:

(1) reimbursements for coordinated activities;

(2) the management and funding of any collocated employees and the cross-training of those employees;

(3) operating expenses associated with the coordinated activities, including expenses relating to office space, printing, and postage;

(4) the development and maintenance of a joint website regarding veterans benefits and services;

(5) the development and dissemination of a joint brochure regarding veterans benefits and services; and

(6) joint presentations at or sponsorship of veterans benefits seminars.

(d) The memorandum of understanding must identify the degree to which the Veterans' Land Board and the commission may operate independent websites and disseminate independent information to implement a veterans benefits outreach activity.

(e) The Veterans' Land Board and the commission shall periodically update the memorandum and continue to explore additional opportunities for coordination between the agencies regarding their respective veterans benefits outreach activities.

(f) The Veterans' Land Board and the commission shall consider the appropriate use of authorized bond proceeds and federal money to ensure that each agency complies with applicable funding constraints in entering into the memorandum of understanding.

Sec. 434.0073. COMMUNICATIONS CENTER. (a) On behalf of the Veterans' Land Board and the commission, the Veterans' Land Board shall operate a communications center to provide information regarding the benefits and services available to veterans of this state. The communications center must be operated through the use of Veterans' Land Board and commission employees who are cross-trained by the Veterans' Land Board and the commission as provided by Subsection (e). The employees are under Veterans' Land Board supervision and shall be compensated by their respective employing agencies.

(b) In operating the communications center, employees shall:

(1) answer the veterans toll-free hotline;

(2) maintain and improve any existing veterans contact databases and create additional databases as necessary; and

(3) engage in direct mail efforts to veterans, as appropriate.

(c) As part of the direct mail efforts described by Subsection (b)(3), communications center employees shall coordinate to identify newly discharged veterans, promote benefits seminars for veterans, and provide specific and current information regarding the services available to veterans.

(d) Communications center employees have equal access to the veterans contact databases maintained by the communications center regardless of whether the communications center employees are employees of the Veterans' Land Board or the commission.

(e) The Veterans' Land Board and the commission jointly shall cross-train communications center employees to be knowledgeable and proficient about the activities performed and services provided by the Veterans' Land Board and the commission.

Sec. 434.0074. WEBSITE; BROCHURE. (a) The Veterans' Land Board and the commission jointly shall develop a single website and a single hard-copy brochure that provide in a centralized, comprehensive, and simplified format information about all available veterans benefits and services.

(b) The single uniform resource locator (URL) for the website must be easily identifiable and prominently indicated in the brochure developed under this section.

(c) This section does not preclude the Veterans' Land Board or commission from operating additional websites or disseminating other information as determined appropriate by the Veterans' Land Board or the commission, in accordance with the memorandum of understanding provided under Section 434.0072.

Sec. 434.0075. BENEFITS SEMINARS. (a) To ensure that the veterans of this state receive uniform information on all veterans benefits and services available, the Veterans' Land Board and the commission shall:

(1) jointly plan and provide state-sponsored veterans benefits seminars; and

(2) coordinate the involvement of each agency in seminars hosted for veterans by other organizations.

(b) Planning and coordination under this section must ensure the consistent presentation of benefits and services information by the Veterans' Land Board or the commission at seminars described by this section.

Sec. 434.0076. RECORD OF COMPLAINTS. (a) The commission shall maintain a system to promptly and efficiently act on complaints filed with the commission. The commission shall maintain information about parties to the complaint, the subject matter of the complaint, a summary of the results of the review or investigation of the complaint, and its disposition.

(b) The commission shall make information available describing its procedures for complaint investigation and resolution.

(c) The commission shall periodically notify the complaint parties of the status of the complaint until final disposition.

Sec. 434.0077. NEGOTIATED RULEMAKING AND ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION PROCEDURES. (a) The commission shall develop and implement a policy to encourage the use of:

(1) negotiated rulemaking procedures under Chapter 2008 for the adoption of commission rules; and

(2) appropriate alternative dispute resolution procedures under Chapter 2009 to assist in the resolution of internal and external disputes under the commission's jurisdiction.

(b) The commission's procedures relating to alternative dispute resolution must conform, to the extent possible, to any model guidelines issued by the State Office of Administrative Hearings for the use of alternative dispute resolution by state agencies.

(c) The commission shall designate a trained person to:

(1) coordinate the implementation of the policy adopted under Subsection (a);

(2) serve as a resource for any training needed to implement the procedures for negotiated rulemaking or alternative dispute resolution; and

(3) collect data concerning the effectiveness of those procedures, as implemented by the commission.

Sec. 434.0078. CLAIMS ASSISTANCE SERVICES. (a) The commission by rule shall develop procedures for administering claims assistance services under Section 434.007(5). The procedures shall include:

(1) criteria for determining when a veteran's initial claim is substantially complete and basic eligibility requirements are met as provided by federal law;

(2) a process for expediting a claim based on hardship, including whether the veteran:

(A) is in immediate need;

(B) is terminally ill;

(C) has a verifiable financial hardship; or

(D) has a disability that presents an undue burden;

(3) a procedure for counseling veterans on the potential merits or drawbacks of pursuing a claim;

(4) a process to ensure adequate documentation and development of a claim or appeal, including early client involvement, collection of needed evidence and records, and analysis of actions necessary to pursue and support a claim or appeal;

(5) criteria for evaluating whether a decision of the United States Department of Veterans Affairs contains sufficient cause for filing an appeal;

(6) a requirement that a claims counselor report to the United States Department of Veterans Affairs if the counselor has direct knowledge that a claim contains false or deceptive information; and

(7) a procedure for prioritizing a claim, when appropriate, or providing an alternative source for obtaining claims assistance services when it is not appropriate to prioritize.

(b) The commission shall consult with the United States Department of Veterans Affairs in developing the rules and procedures under Subsection (a) to:

(1) ensure the services provided by the commission do not unnecessarily duplicate services provided through the United States Department of Veterans Affairs;

(2) ensure that the rules and procedures will provide for resolving disputes at the lowest level of the United States Department of Veterans Affairs benefit decision process;

(3) ensure that commission employees are not improperly involved in adjudicating claims; and

(4) establish broad areas of cooperation between the commission and the United States Department of Veterans Affairs to streamline and align the commission's service delivery with United States Department of Veterans Affairs processes, including:

(A) identifying processes to update changes to veterans' cases and power of attorney designation;

(B) cooperating to expedite hardship cases and appeals; and

(C) identifying opportunities for the United States Department of Veterans Affairs to provide the commission with necessary data to assist with tracking the progress and outcomes of claims.

SECTION 8. Subchapter A, Chapter 434, Government Code, is amended by adding Section 434.0091 to read as follows:

Sec. 434.0091. SEPARATION OF POLICYMAKING AND MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES. The commission shall develop and implement policies that clearly separate the policymaking responsibilities of the commission and the management responsibilities of the executive director and the staff of the commission.

SECTION 9. Section 434.010, Government Code, is amended to read as follows:

Sec. 434.010. RULES. (a) The commission may adopt rules that it considers necessary for its administration.

(b) The commission by rule shall adopt procedures for receiving input and recommendations from interested persons regarding the development of rules and policies.

SECTION 10. Subchapter A, Chapter 434, Government Code, is amended by adding Section 434.0101 to read as follows:

Sec. 434.0101. ADVISORY COMMITTEES. (a) In developing procedures under Section 434.010, the commission may establish and appoint members to an advisory committee to advise and make recommendations to the commission on programs, rules, and policies affecting the delivery of services to veterans.

(b) If the commission establishes an advisory committee under Subsection (a), the commission shall adopt rules regarding:

(1) the purpose, role, and goals of the committee;

(2) the size and quorum requirements of the committee;

(3) the qualifications of the members and the criteria for selecting members;

(4) the procedures for appointing members;

(5) the terms of service of members;

(6) the training requirements of members;

(7) the implementation of a needs assessment process to regularly evaluate the continuing need for the committee; and

(8) a requirement that the committee comply with Chapter 551.

SECTION 11. Subchapter A, Chapter 434, Government Code, is amended by adding Section 434.0151 to read as follows:

Sec. 434.0151. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION. The commission shall develop and implement policies that provide the public with a reasonable opportunity to appear before the commission and to speak on any issue under the jurisdiction of the commission.

SECTION 12. Section 434.038, Government Code, is amended by amending Subsections (a) and (d) and adding Subsections (a-1), (e), and (f) to read as follows:

(a) An officer shall, within the time after the date of the officer's appointment that the commission prescribes, complete a course of initial training provided by the Texas Veterans Commission. The commission shall issue the officer a certificate of training after completion of the initial training course. To maintain certification, the officer shall complete continuing training to the extent required by the commission [attend at least one commission training conference a year]. An officer must maintain certification to remain in office.

(a-1) The commission shall develop and implement methods for providing training to officers. The methods may include Internet-based seminars, participation through videoconference, cooperation with training provided by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, and other methods as appropriate.

(d) The commission shall develop standard course materials, training curriculum, and examinations to be used for county service officer certification and United States Department of Veterans Affairs accreditation. The members of the commission must approve the course materials, training curriculum, and examinations before the commission may distribute the materials and administer examinations.

(e) The commission shall:

(1) maintain course materials and examinations in a central location and provide county service offices and commission field staff with access to the course materials on the commission's Internet website;

(2) regularly update course materials, training curriculum, and examinations by consulting with:

(A) the United States Department of Veterans Affairs to ensure the course materials, training curriculum, and examinations are accurate and meet applicable United States Department of Veterans Affairs requirements; and

(B) accredited county service officers to ensure the materials, training curriculum, and examinations include issues developing at the county level; and

(3) develop a training handbook containing instruction and case studies addressing:

(A) general assistance techniques, including how to provide general information regarding state and federal benefits and referrals for other services and to other agencies, and general information regarding state and federal benefits;

(B) basic counseling approaches for assisting veterans, their family members, and other eligible dependents filing benefit claims;

(C) basic information on United States Department of Veterans Affairs processes and procedures, including how to accurately complete claims and appeals forms and how to support claims;

(D) methods of collecting required documentation and developing claims and appeals;

(E) methods of documenting progress and updating a veteran's, a veteran's family member's, or another eligible dependent's case information;

(F) methods of assisting veterans, their family members, or other eligible dependents in pursuing appeals, including offering case knowledge in appeals hearings; and

(G) methods of representing veterans, their family members, or other eligible dependents during appeals hearings.

(f) The commission may establish rules to carry out the purposes of this section, including rules regarding carryover of credit for extra course attendance from one year into subsequent years and the anniversary date by which the continuing certification requirement must be met.

SECTION 13. Subchapter B, Chapter 434, Government Code, is amended by adding Section 434.039 to read as follows:

Sec. 434.039. STATEWIDE PLAN FOR SERVICES. The commission by rule shall develop procedures to coordinate with county services officers and county commissioners courts to create a statewide plan for providing claims assistance services. The statewide plan must:

(1) identify the shared objectives of the commission, county service officers, and counties with a county service office in serving veterans;

(2) include a plan for recruiting county service officers and encouraging service officers to become accredited by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs;

(3) include a procedure for consulting with counties to determine the most effective locations for county service offices;

(4) define the commission's responsibilities in overseeing claims and appeals prepared by county service officers;

(5) include a process for providing technical assistance to county service officers and collecting information regarding county service officer performance;

(6) contain a procedure for documenting a county service officer's performance, including on-site visit reports, and providing that information to county judges or other local officials who supervise county service officers;

(7) incorporate county service officers into United States Department of Veterans Affairs appeals hearings either to represent veterans or to appear as witnesses, as needed;

(8) explore opportunities for funding county service officer travel to participate in United States Department of Veterans Affairs appeals hearings; and

(9) include procedures to regularly update county service officers on changes in United States Department of Veterans Affairs policies and procedures, and other information.

SECTION 14. Subchapter C, Chapter 434, Government Code, is amended by adding Section 434.107 to read as follows:

Sec. 434.107. USE OF TECHNOLOGY. The commission shall implement a policy requiring the commission to use appropriate technological solutions to improve the commission's ability to perform its functions. The policy must ensure that the public is able to interact with the commission on the Internet.

SECTION 15. The Sunset Advisory Commission's report to the 82nd Legislature shall evaluate:

(1) the Texas Veterans Commission's overall performance and ability to integrate new programs into its mission; and

(2) the ability of the veterans employment program administered by the Texas Veterans Commission to work within the state's overall workforce system.

SECTION 16. The change in law made by Section 434.0061, Government Code, as added by this Act, regarding training for members of the Texas Veterans Commission does not affect the entitlement of a member serving on the commission immediately before September 1, 2007, to continue to serve and function as a member of the commission for the remainder of the member's term. The change in law described by Section 434.0061 applies only to a member appointed or reappointed on or after September 1, 2007.

SECTION 17. (a) Not later than March 1, 2008, the Texas Veterans Commission shall comply with Sections 434.0075, 434.0076, 434.0078, 434.0091, 434.010(b), 434.0151, 434.038(a-1), (d), and (e), 434.039, and 434.107, Government Code, as added by this Act.

(b) Not later than March 1, 2008, the Texas Veterans Commission and the Veterans' Land Board shall agree on the revised memorandum of understanding developed in accordance with Section 434.0072, Government Code, as added by this Act.

SECTION 18. The Texas Veterans Commission shall:

(1) comply with and implement any nonstatutory recommendations regarding the Texas Veterans Commission adopted by the Sunset Advisory Commission as a result of its review of the veterans commission; and

(2) report to the Sunset Advisory Commission the information that the sunset commission requires regarding the Texas Veterans Commission's implementation of the sunset commission's nonstatutory recommendations not later than November 1, 2008.

SECTION 19. (a) The changes in law made by this Act in the prohibitions or qualifications applying to a member of the Texas Veterans Commission do not affect the entitlement of a member serving on the Texas Veterans Commission immediately before September 1, 2007, to continue to serve and function as a member of the Texas Veterans Commission for the remainder of the member's term. Those changes in law apply only to a member appointed on or after September 1, 2007.

(b) Section 434.0075, Government Code, as added by this Act, relating to complaints filed with the Texas Veterans Commission applies only to a complaint filed on or after September 1, 2007. A complaint filed with the commission before September 1, 2007, is governed by the law as it existed immediately before that date, and the former law is continued in effect for that purpose.

SECTION 20. This Act takes effect September 1, 2007.