BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 2515

By: Uresti, Tomas

Defense & Veterans' Affairs

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Interested parties suggest that veterans should receive care in an easier and more efficient manner. H.B. 2515 seeks to address this issue by establishing a veterans self-help center.

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

H.B. 2515 amends the Government Code to require the Texas Veterans Commission to establish a veterans self-help center in a municipality with a population of more than 1.3 million located in a county in which three or more locations of a joint military base are located. The bill requires the commission, in determining a location for the center, to ensure that the center is located in an area of the municipality without U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) offices and treatment centers. The bill requires the self-help center to provide access to appropriate veterans services and resources and requires the commission to coordinate with the VA and any other appropriate state or federal agency, as necessary, to carry out the functions of the center.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2017.