BILL ANALYSIS

 

 

Senate Research Center	S.B. 2104
86R14084 SRA-D	By: Zaffirini
	Veteran Affairs & Border Security
	3/25/2019
	As Filed

 

 

 

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

 

Veterans county service officers (VCSOs) assist veterans to access benefits and services. More information, however, is needed to ensure VCSOs have all the resources they need to advocate effectively for veterans statewide.

 

Accordingly, S.B. 2104 would create the Texas Veterans County Service Officer Task Force to study the impact and efficacy of VCSOs. The task force would be comprised of the chair of the Senate Committee on Veteran Affairs and Border Security, the chair of the House Committee on Defense and Veterans' Affairs, a representative of the Texas Veterans Commission, VCSOs from various regions of the state, and a representative of the Texas Coalition of Veterans Organizations.

 

The task force would:

 

1. Examine the role and duties of VCSOs in each county;

 

2. Identify the regions that are in greatest need of VCSOs; and

 

3. Determine types and levels of support needed in order for VCSOs to appropriately advocate for the veterans they serve.

 

The task force would prepare and submit a report of the issues described above to the Senate Committee on Veteran Affairs and Border Security, the House Committee on Defense and Veterans' Affairs, and the Texas Veterans Commission by December 1, 2020.

 

As proposed, S.B. 2104 amends current law relating to the creation of the Texas Veterans County Service Officer Task Force.

 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

 

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.

 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

 

SECTION 1. Amends Subchapter B, Chapter 434, Government Code, by adding Section 434.040, as follows:

 

Sec. 434.040. TEXAS VETERANS COUNTY SERVICE OFFICER TASK FORCE. (a) Defines "task force" as the Texas Veterans County Service Officer Task Force.

 

(b) Provides that the task force is established to study the impact and efficacy of officers in this state.

 

(c) Provides that the task force is composed of the following members:

 

(1) the chair of the House Committee on Defense and Veterans' Affairs;

 

(2) the chair of the Senate Committee on Veteran Affairs and Border Security;

 

(3) a representative of the Texas Veterans Commission (TVC);

 

(4) officers from various regions of the state; and

 

(5) a representative of the Texas Coalition of Veterans Organizations.

 

(d) Requires the task force to:

 

(1) examine the role and duties of officers in each county;

 

(2) identify the regions of this state that are in need of officers; and

 

(3) determine types and levels of support needed from this state in order for officers to appropriately advocate for the veterans served by the officers.

 

(e) Requires the task force, not later than December 1, 2020, to prepare and submit a report on the issues described in Subsection (d) to the Senate Committee on Veteran Affairs and Border Security, House Committee on Defense and Veterans' Affairs, and TVC.

 

(f) Provides that this section expires January 1, 2021.

 

SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2019.