S.B. No. 1739
 
 
 
 
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.  Subsection (c), Section 434.017, Government
  Code, is amended to read as follows:
         (c)  Money in the fund may only be appropriated to the Texas
  Veterans Commission.  Money appropriated under this subsection
  shall be used to:
               (1)  [enhance or improve veterans' assistance programs,
  including veterans' representation and counseling;
               [(2)]  make grants to address veterans' needs; and
               (2) [(3)]  administer the fund.
         SECTION 2.  Subsections (a) and (e), Section 434.017,
  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 immediately if it receives
  a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
  provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this
  Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
  Act takes effect September 1, 2011.
 
 
 
 
 
  ______________________________ ______________________________
     President of the Senate Speaker of the House     
 
         I hereby certify that S.B. No. 1739 passed the Senate on
  April 14, 2011, by the following vote:  Yeas 30, Nays 0.
 
 
  ______________________________
  Secretary of the Senate    
 
         I hereby certify that S.B. No. 1739 passed the House on
  May 19, 2011, by the following vote:  Yeas 148, Nays 0, one
  present not voting.
 
 
  ______________________________
  Chief Clerk of the House   
 
 
 
  Approved:
 
  ______________________________ 
              Date
 
 
  ______________________________ 
            Governor