By: Van de Putte, et al. S.B. No. 1796

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the creation of the Texas Coordinating Council for Veterans Services.

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

SECTION 1. Chapter 434, Government Code, is amended by adding Subchapter D to read as follows:

SUBCHAPTER D. TEXAS COORDINATING COUNCIL FOR VETERANS SERVICES

Sec. 434.151. DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter:

(1) "Council" means the Texas Coordinating Council for Veterans Services.

(2) "Servicemember" has the meaning assigned by Section 161.551, Health and Safety Code.

Sec. 434.152. TEXAS COORDINATING COUNCIL FOR VETERANS SERVICES. The Texas Coordinating Council for Veterans Services is established to:

(1) coordinate the activities of state agencies that assist veterans, servicemembers, and their families;

(2) coordinate outreach efforts that ensure that veterans, servicemembers, and their families are made aware of services; and

(3) facilitate collaborative relationships among state, federal, and local agencies and private organizations to identify and address issues affecting veterans, servicemembers, and their families.

Sec. 434.153. COMPOSITION OF COUNCIL. The council is composed of the executive head of the following agencies, or that person's designated representative:

(1) the Texas Veterans Commission;

(2) the Veterans' Land Board;

(3) the adjutant general's department; and

(4) the Health and Human Services Commission.

Sec. 434.154. COORDINATING WORKGROUPS; ADDITIONAL COUNCIL MEMBERS. (a) The council may, by majority vote, establish the following coordinating workgroups to focus on specific issues affecting veterans, servicemembers, and their families:

(1) health or mental health;

(2) employment;

(3) higher education;

(4) criminal justice;

(5) housing; and

(6) any other coordinating workgroup considered necessary.

(b) If the council votes to establish a health or mental health coordinating workgroup, the membership of the council also includes the executive head of the following agencies, or that person's designated representative:

(1) the Department of State Health Services;

(2) the Department of Aging and Disability Services; and

(3) the Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services.

(c) If the council votes to establish an employment coordinating workgroup, the membership of the council also includes the executive head of the following agencies, or that person's designated representative:

(1) the Texas Workforce Commission; and

(2) the Texas Workforce Investment Council.

(d) If the council votes to establish a higher education coordinating workgroup, the membership of the council also includes the commissioner of higher education, or the commissioner's designated representative.

(e) If the council votes to establish a criminal justice coordinating workgroup, the membership of the council also includes the executive head of the following entities, or that person's designated representative:

(1) the Texas Correctional Office on Offenders with Medical or Mental Impairments; and

(2) the Commission on Jail Standards.

(f) If the council votes to establish a housing coordinating workgroup, the membership of the council also includes the executive head of the following agencies, or that person's designated representative:

(1) the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs; and

(2) the Texas Department of Rural Affairs.

(g) Each member of the council may invite one organization or agency that provides services to veterans, servicemembers, and their families, but that is not otherwise a member of the council, to designate a representative to participate in a coordinating workgroup through procedures established by the council.

Sec. 434.155. PRESIDING OFFICER. The executive director of the Texas Veterans Commission shall serve as the presiding officer.

Sec. 434.156. MEETINGS. The council shall meet at least annually and at the call of the presiding officer.

Sec. 434.157. ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT. (a) The council is administratively attached to the Texas Veterans Commission. The Texas Veterans Commission may provide administrative support and resources to the council as necessary to enable the council to perform its duties.

(b) A state agency represented on the council shall support the agency's involvement with the council and provide staff support as needed to the council.

(c) The designated representative of any organization or agency that accepts an invitation to serve on a coordinating workgroup of the council under Section 434.154(g) is not entitled to compensation, but is entitled to reimbursement of the representative's travel expenses as provided by Chapter 660 and the General Appropriations Act.

Sec. 434.158. REPORT BY COUNCIL. Not later than October 1 of each even-numbered year, the council shall submit a report to the governor, lieutenant governor, speaker of the house of representatives, and chairs of the appropriate committees of the legislature detailing the work of the council and any recommendations.

SECTION 2. The presiding officer of the Texas Coordinating Council for Veterans Services shall call the initial meeting of the council not later than November 1, 2011.

SECTION 3. This Act does not make an appropriation or require a specific appropriation. Any new duty imposed on a state agency as a result of the Act can be performed through the appropriations provided by the legislature as part of the existing responsibilities of the state agency.

SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2011.