BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 4230

By: Romero, Jr.

Defense & Veterans' Affairs

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Reports indicate that Texas is home to a large population of veterans and a large population of noncitizens, with overlap occurring when individuals belong to both. Concerns have been raised regarding the deportation of noncitizen veterans in recent years, which reduces access to the federal Veterans Affairs health care benefits critical to treating mental health illnesses, substance abuse, and physical disabilities occurring as a result of military service. H.B. 4230 seeks to treat all veterans with the dignity and respect they deserve for defending our country by tasking the Texas Veterans Commission with determining the citizenship status of veterans living in Texas and facilitating the naturalization process for noncitizen veterans.

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. 4230  requires the Texas Veterans Commission to determine the citizenship status of a veteran in Texas and, if the veteran is not a citizen, to assist the veteran in becoming a U.S. citizen and facilitate the naturalization process.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2019.