BILL ANALYSIS

S.B. 805

By: Lucio

Defense & Veterans' Affairs

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Concerned stakeholders believe that the state's effort to assist women veterans through the Texas women veteran program could be strengthened to provide additional services and information to this unique population. S.B. 805 addresses this concern by providing that the women veterans coordinator serve as a liaison between state and federal agencies and organizations that provide benefits and services to women veterans and expanding the duties of the program.

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. 805 amends the Government Code to require the women veterans coordinator designated by the executive director of the Texas Veterans Commission or the coordinator's designee to serve as a liaison between state and federal agencies and organizations that provide benefits and services to women veterans. The bill includes among the general duties of the Texas women veterans program the provision of information in collaboration with appropriate state agencies to women veterans on services and resources provided by state or federal agencies and organizations to women veterans.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2017.