AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

 

For the last several years, Texas has been working on creating and improving veteran support services. Unfortunately, many veterans are unaware of these programs and services. According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2013 the unemployment rate for veterans in Texas is 8.7 percent, which is higher than the overall unemployment average of all Texans, which is 6.3 percent. Additionally, many veterans have struggled with continuing education, work skills, knowing where to go for mental and physical health care, and how to handle veterans affairs claims.

 

S.B. 1308 seeks to remedy this issue by tasking the Texas Veterans Commission and the Texas Department of Public Safety with creating an informational one-page pamphlet listing important information for services available to veterans. The pamphlet will include websites, hotlines and various contact information for Veteran County Service Officers, groups with physical and mental health services, as well contact information for local peer to peer groups.

 

Peer to peer groups provide veterans with a way to connect to those in their communities, as well as provide an outlet for discussion regarding previous experiences and resources that have helped fellow veterans. This way, if the veteran has any questions, they know where to go or who to talk to.

 

In an effort to get a valid home address where the veteran can receive the pamphlet, there will be a check box available for veteran designation when applying for a driver's license or personal identification certificate. An incentive for veterans to apply for the driver's license or personal identification certificate will be by providing a discount, reducing the fee for veterans by half, thereby linking them to available services which they may be unaware of. (Original Author’s/Sponsor’s Statement of Intent)

 

S.B. 1308 amends current law relating to veterans services information provided to veterans who receive driver's licenses and personal identification certificates.

 

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 Subchapter A, Chapter 521, Transportation Code, by adding Section 521.011, as follows:

 

Sec. 521.011. SERVICES INFORMATION FOR VETERANS. Requires the Department of Public Safety of the State of Texas (DPS) and the Texas Veterans Commission to jointly develop for veterans who receive a driver's license or personal identification certificate with a veteran's designation a one-page informational paper about veterans services provided by this state.

 

SECTION 2. Amends Section 521.102, Transportation Code, by adding Subsection (c) to require DPS to provide to the recipient of a personal identification certificate with a veteran's designation the informational paper described by Section 521.011 at the time the certificate is issued.

 

SECTION 3. Amends Section 521.1235, Transportation Code, by adding Subsection (c) to require DPS to provide to the recipient of a driver's license with a veteran's designation the informational paper described by Section 521.011 at the time the license is issued.

 

SECTION 4. Effective date: September 1, 2015.