BILL ANALYSIS

S.B. 1308

By: Menéndez

Defense & Veterans' Affairs

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Interested parties point out that while Texas has been working to create and improve veteran support services for the last several years, many veterans are unaware of these services. Accordingly, many veterans continue to struggle with unemployment, the need for continuing education and work skills, not knowing where to go for mental and physical health care, and how to handle veterans affairs claims. The parties contend that providing veterans services information to veterans who receive a driver's license or personal identification certificate would help veterans access the services they need. S.B. 1308 seeks to achieve this goal.     

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. 1308 amends the Transportation Code to require the Department of Public Safety (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 the state. The bill requires DPS to provide the informational paper to the recipient at the time a driver's license or a personal identification certificate with a veteran's designation is issued.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2015.