BILL ANALYSIS

S.B. 2048

By: Zaffirini

Defense & Veterans' Affairs

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

It has been noted that many veterans and active duty service members face various legal challenges, such as foreclosure and eviction. Understandably, there have been calls to ensure that veterans and service members have adequate access to legal aid in dealing with such issues. S.B. 2048 seeks to provide for the use of the fund for veterans' assistance to provide pro bono legal services to veterans and active duty service members.

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. 2048 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.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2019.