By: Van de Putte, Rodriguez  S.B. No. 1796
         (In the Senate - Filed March 11, 2011; March 23, 2011, read
  first time and referred to Committee on Veteran Affairs and
  Military Installations; April 19, 2011, reported adversely, with
  favorable Committee Substitute by the following vote:  Yeas 3, Nays
  0; April 19, 2011, sent to printer.)
 
  COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR S.B. No. 1796 By:  Van de Putte
 
 
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.
 
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