83R2714 YDB-D
 
  By: Farias H.B. No. 781
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the allocation of certain grants from the fund for
  veterans' assistance.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Section 434.017, Government Code, is amended by
  adding Subsections (c-1) and (c-2) to read as follows:
         (c-1)  Not later than May 1 of each even-numbered year, the
  commission shall:
               (1)  conduct a needs assessment to identify the
  specific high-priority needs of veterans and the services
  available to address those needs;
               (2)  determine the grant categories that correspond to
  the high-priority needs identified under Subdivision (1); and
               (3)  identify any gaps between the needs identified
  under Subdivision (1) and the services available to address those
  needs.
         (c-2)  The commission shall incorporate the results of the
  needs assessment and other determinations under Subsection (c-1) in
  its process for awarding grants, including the prioritization of
  grant awards by geographic region, from the fund for veterans'
  assistance.
         SECTION 2.  Not later than May 1, 2014, the Texas Veterans
  Commission shall conduct a needs assessment and make other
  determinations required by Section 434.017(c-1), Government Code,
  as added by this Act.
         SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2013.