BILL ANALYSIS

S.B. 318

By: Hinojosa

Defense & Veterans' Affairs

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Interested parties have expressed concern regarding the provision of adequate support for military communities. In an effort to address those concerns, the Defense Economic Adjustment Assistance Grant Program assists defense communities that are responding to or recovering from a reduction or termination of defense contracts, or that have been affected with new or expanded military missions, and endeavors to make military bases less susceptible to closure. S.B. 318 seeks to better ensure that Texas military communities have the resources to provide timely support for their military installations.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

S.B. 318 amends the Government Code to raise from $2 million to $5 million the cap on grants awarded by the Texas Military Preparedness Commission to certain local governmental entities that may be affected by an action of the United States Department of Defense relating to defense worker jobs or facilities.

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or, if the bill does not receive the necessary vote, September 1, 2015.