BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 1007

By: Alonzo

Higher Education

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Interested parties suggest that veterans should receive more and better assistance with successfully completing postsecondary degrees. The purpose of H.B. 1007 is to create a one-stop shop for veterans assistance at certain institutions of higher education.

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 rulemaking authority is expressly granted to the Texas Veterans Commission in SECTION 1 of this bill.

ANALYSIS

H.B. 1007 amends the Government Code to require the Texas Veterans Commission to administer a veterans resource center in at least one public institution of higher education in each of the 10 higher education regions specified by the bill to provide a centralized place for veterans to find assistance and information while enrolled at an institution of higher education; to deliver innovative, cost-effective programs to attract veterans and family members of veterans to attend public institutions of higher education; to enable institutions of higher education to create veteran-friendly environments; to encourage veterans to take advantage of government educational programs; and to assist veterans in applying to public institutions of higher education. The bill requires the commission to operate 15 veterans resource centers throughout Texas with at least one center located in each of the 10 specified higher education regions. The bill requires each institution of higher education that has a veterans resource center to enter into a memorandum of understanding with the commission that requires the institution of higher education to provide and bear the cost of office equipment, telephone equipment and service, computer equipment, Internet access, and office space on the institution's campus that is accessible to persons with disabilities and complies with any applicable federal and state law.

H.B. 1007 requires the commission to employ a program manager to administer the veterans resource center program and sets out the program manager's duties. The bill requires the commission to employ a regional veterans resource counselor for each higher education region to oversee the veterans resource center or centers located in the region. The bill requires a regional veterans resource counselor to maintain an office at a veterans resource center at an institution of higher education located in the higher education region served by the counselor and sets out the counselor's duties.

H.B. 1007 authorizes the commission to adopt rules to implement the bill's provisions.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2017.