BILL ANALYSIS

S.B. 1532

By: Burton

Defense & Veterans' Affairs

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Interested parties note that the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) is a massive agency responsible for nearly every aspect of Texas' health and mental health services. The parties further note that there was no position designated to coordinate services and programs across the HHSC enterprise specifically for veterans until recently when the position of Associate Commissioner for Veterans Services was created by the executive commissioner of HHSC for the purpose of reviewing HHSC programs and benefits available to veterans and recommending ways to improve and better coordinate those services. S.B. 1532 seeks to provide for this position in statute to help ensure the proper coordination of veterans services.

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. 1532 amends the Government Code to require the executive commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission to appoint an associate commissioner for veterans services to review programs and benefits available for veterans, make recommendations on the improvement and coordination of veterans services, and coordinate with other state agencies to enhance veterans services.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2015.