AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
S.B. 660 will allow for the continued phased implementation of the Texas Veterans Commission's (TVC) Veteran Entrepreneur Program.
The Veteran Entrepreneur Program was created as a pilot program in April 2012, but was formally established in 2013 by S.B. 1476, 83rd Legislature, Regular Session (West et al.; SP: Ralph Sheffield et al.). The program is intended to promote veteran entrepreneurship throughout Texas. According to TVC, since April 2012, the program has completed 14 seminars across the state, providing services to more than 2,100 aspiring veteran entrepreneurs. It is the only program of its kind in the nation, TVC reports.
Since its inception, TVC has planned a phased implementation of the program. Now, S.B. 660 will establish regional program coordinators in major centers of economic growth across the state. These coordinators will provide comprehensive training to prospective veteran entrepreneurs, then transition the participants to actual veteran business owners.
S.B. 660 requires TVC consult with the United States (U.S.) Department of Veterans Affairs and the U.S. Small Business Administration to ensure that its program services do not duplicate services provided by those federal agencies.
S.B. 660 amends current law relating to regional coordinators within the veteran entrepreneur program.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Section 434.022, Government Code, by adding Subsections (c-1) and (f), as follows:
(c-1) Requires the veteran entrepreneur program (program) to establish regional coordinators in major centers of economic growth to provide the services described in Subsection (c) (relating to assistance provided to veterans by the program).
(f) Requires the program to consult with the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the United States Small Business Administration (SBA) in developing procedures under this section to ensure the services provided by this program do not duplicate services provided through the VA or the SBA.
SECTION 2. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2015.