BILL ANALYSIS

 

 

 

H.B. 1452

By: Eissler

Defense & Veterans' Affairs

Committee Report (Unamended)

 

 

 

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

 

Current law limits the eligibility of veterans to receive priority of service in state-funded job training and employment assistance programs. The definition of “veteran” Texas currently uses to determine eligibility for state priority of service is not the same as the definition used for “veterans” in job training and employment assistance programs funded by the U.S. Department of Labor. This creates a situation in which a veteran recognized by one program is not recognized as a veteran in another. In addition, federal priority of service affords the spouses of certain veterans the same entitlement, while Texas does not. 

 

H.B. 1452 aligns the state definition of veteran with the federal definition, to reduce confusion for veterans and ensure increased compliance due to less complexity, and adds the spouses of veterans to those entitled to priority of service, which also aligns state and federal policy.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

 

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

 

H.B. 1452 amends the Labor Code to entitle a covered person to priority in obtaining services or resources regarding job training and employment assistance programs and authorize a covered person to take precedence in obtaining services or resources over persons who are not covered. The bill defines "taking precedence" for the purpose of this provision to mean that the covered person receives access to a service or resource before a person who is not a covered or, if the service or resource is limited, the covered person receives access to the service or resource instead of a person who is not covered. The bill defines the terms "active military, naval, or air service," "covered person," and "veteran."

 

H.B. 1452 requires a job training or employment assistance program or service that is funded wholly or partly with state money, in selecting applicants to receive training or assistance, to give priority of service to a covered person who meets the minimum eligibility requirements to participate or enroll in the program or receive the service. The bill requires the Texas Veterans Commission to operate programs in Texas to enhance the employment opportunities of veterans, including certain employment programs funded under U.S. Code. The bill requires the programs to exclusively enhance the employment opportunities of eligible veterans and requires the services to be provided by state employees. The bill limits a state employee providing services under a program to only provide services to veterans.

 

H.B. 1452 repeals existing provisions relating to job training or employment assistance, programs, services, and preferences available to veterans.

 

H.B. 1452 repeals Section 302.014, Labor Code.

EFFECTIVE DATE

 

On passage, or, if the act does not receive the necessary vote, the act takes effect September 1, 2009.