HBA-DMH, CCH H.B. 515 77(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 515
By: Wise
Appropriations
4/8/2001
Introduced



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

The majority of the 1.6 million veterans in Texas are combat veterans who
served our country in World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Panama, Somalia, and
the Persian Gulf.  In Hidalgo County alone there are more than 65,000
veterans, many of whom lack access to sufficient medical treatment.  The
Senate Finance Interim Subcommittee on Tobacco Settlement Proceeds
recommended that the 77th Legislature consider using tobacco settlement
proceeds for the establishment of a veterans' health care fund to be used
for the construction of more veterans' homes, the construction and
maintenance of Texas veterans' cemeteries, and a grant program administered
by the Texas Veterans Commission for local communities involved in
veterans' health care.  House Bill 515 establishes a special permanent fund
for veterans' care to finance certain veterans' programs. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill
expressly delegates rulemaking authority to the Texas Veterans Commission
in SECTION 1 (Section 403.108, Government Code) of this bill. 

ANALYSIS

House Bill 515 amends the Government Code to establish a special permanent
fund for veterans' care that is outside the general revenue fund.  The fund
consists of money transferred to the fund by the legislature, gifts and
grants, and available earnings of the fund.  The bill authorizes the
appropriation of available earnings of the fund: 

_to the Veterans' Land Board for programs relating to veterans' homes;

_to the Texas Veterans Commission (TVC) to make grants to counties for
purchasing burial grounds for veterans; and  

_to design, build, and operate a system of state veterans' cemeteries if
TVC has the authority under other law and to TVC to improve or enhance
veterans' health care.  

The bill authorizes the comptroller of public accounts to solicit gifts and
grants to the fund which may be appropriated in the same manner as the
available earnings unless the donor or granting entity places limitations
or requirements on the gift or grant.  Appropriating money in the fund for
any other purpose is prohibited.  The bill authorizes TVC to adopt rules
governing the award of grants.  The bill specifies that the provisions
pertaining to the disposition of interest on investments and the use of
dedicated revenue do not apply to this fund.  The bill requires the
comptroller to manage the assets of the fund.  On  the effective date of
this Act, the bill requires the comptroller to transfer $150 million from
the general revenue fund to the permanent fund for veterans' care. 

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2001.