82R17464 MCK-D
 
  By: Fletcher H.B. No. 1172
 
  Substitute the following for H.B. No. 1172:
 
  By:  Pickett C.S.H.B. No. 1172
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the use of the fund for veterans' assistance.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Section 434.017(c), Government Code, is amended
  to read as follows:
         (c)  Money in the fund may be appropriated to the Texas
  Veterans Commission to:
               (1)  enhance or improve veterans' assistance programs,
  including veterans' representation and counseling;
               (2)  make grants to address veterans' needs, including
  expenses for medical care, health care, housing, travel, and items
  or services to improve the veterans' morale and welfare; and
               (3)  administer the fund.
         SECTION 2.  Sections 434.017(a) and (e), Government Code, as
  amended by Chapters 840 (S.B. 1940) and 1385 (S.B. 1655), Acts of
  the 81st Legislature, Regular Session, 2009, are reenacted and
  amended to read as follows:
         (a)  The 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;
               (3)  the earnings of the fund; [and]
               (4)  money transferred to the fund from proceeds of the
  lottery game operated under Section 466.027 or transferred to the
  fund under Section 466.408(b); and
               (5) [(2)]  money deposited to the credit of the fund
  under Section 502.1746, Transportation Code.
         (e)  To carry out any purpose of this chapter, the commission
  [Texas Veterans Commission] may solicit, [and] accept, or refuse a
  gift, grant, devise, bequest of money, security, service, or
  property, including money raised or a service provided by a
  volunteer or volunteer group, to promote the work of the commission
  for any purpose related to the fund for veterans' assistance.  The
  commission may participate in the establishment and operation of an
  affiliated nonprofit organization that is established for the
  purpose of raising money for or providing services or other
  benefits to the commission. A gift, grant, devise, or bequest to the
  fund may be appropriated in the same manner as other money in the
  fund, subject to the purposes provided by Subsection (c) and any
  limitation or requirement placed on the gift, grant, devise, or
  bequest by the donor or granting entity.
         SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2011.