BILL ANALYSIS

C.S.S.B. 2047

By: Zaffirini

Defense & Veterans' Affairs

Committee Report (Substituted)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Concerns have been raised regarding the difficulty many veterans face in readjusting to civilian life on their return from combat or active duty. It has been noted that many of these returning veterans face various legal issues, such as foreclosures, debt collection, child custody disputes, or divorce, and that many may struggle to afford legal assistance, further complicating their situation and rendering them few alternatives. C.S.S.B. 2047 seeks to address these concerns by providing for the use of the fund for veterans' assistance to provide pro bono legal services to veterans and active duty service members and by authorizing the creation of a certain workgroup on this issue.  

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

C.S.S.B. 2047 amends the Government Code to include making grants to provide pro bono legal services to veterans, active duty members of the U.S. armed forces, and members of the state military forces among the approved uses of money from the fund for veterans' assistance that is appropriated to the Texas Veterans Commission. The bill authorizes the Texas Coordinating Council for Veterans Services to establish by majority vote a coordinating workgroup on pro bono legal services for veterans, including opportunities and obstacles for providing those services.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2019.

COMPARISON OF SENATE ENGROSSED AND SUBSTITUTE

C.S.S.B. 2047 differs from the engrossed in minor or nonsubstantive ways by including a council draft number in the footer.