BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 2193

By: Guillen

Homeland Security, Public Safety & Veterans' Affairs

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The bill author has informed the committee that the Texas Veterans Commission (TVC) plays a crucial role in managing and facilitating veterans benefits across the state. However, the bill author has additionally informed the committee that due to concerns over the allocation of resources for the care of Texas veterans, there is a need for a comprehensive assessment of how effectively these benefits are being delivered and whether there are enough claims benefit advisors to meet veterans' needs. H.B. 2193 directs TVC to conduct a study and deliver a report that evaluates the number and distribution of veterans eligible for benefits, the adequacy of claims benefit advisors, and the most efficient way to deliver services.

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. 2193 requires the Texas Veterans Commission (TVC) to conduct a study to determine the following regarding the provision of veterans benefits in Texas:

· the number of veterans in Texas who are entitled under state or federal law to receive veterans benefits managed, provided, or facilitated by TVC;

· the location of those veterans disaggregated by county;

· the number of claims benefit advisors employed by TVC;

· the number of claims benefit advisors necessary for TVC to employ and the geographic locations at which the advisors should perform their duties in order to provide services to veterans in the most efficient manner considering:

o the geographic areas currently served by veterans county service officers; and

o the option of allowing multiple counties to be served at the same location in a way that minimizes drive times and distances traveled by veterans to receive services; and

· the costs to implement such a service delivery system, including the estimated costs of hiring, training, and equipping claims benefit advisors and of offices and office operations and support staff.

The bill authorizes TVC, in determining the costs to implement the service delivery system, to consider collocating claims benefit advisors with facilities, institutions, and organizations that are currently providing services to veterans. The bill requires TVC, not later than June 1, 2026, to submit to the governor, the lieutenant governor, the speaker of the house of representatives, and each member of the legislature a report on the results of the study and any recommendations for legislative or other action. The bill's provisions expire January 1, 2027.

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or, if the bill does not receive the necessary vote, September 1, 2025.