HBA-MSH H.J.R. 82 77(R)BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.J.R. 82
By: Counts
State, Federal & International Relations
7/18/2001
Enrolled



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Prior to the 77th Legislature, articles of the Texas Constitution that
govern the use of the veterans' land fund, the veterans' housing assistance
fund and the veterans' housing assistance fund II did not provide for the
use of those funds for the veterans home or proposed veterans cemeteries
programs of the Veterans' Land Board (board).  Existing law authorized the
board to issue additional general obligation bonds for the veterans'
housing assistance program.  However, it was estimated that those funds
would have been exhausted by the end of 2001.  House Joint Resolution 82
requires the submission to the voters of a constitutional amendment
providing for the issuance of additional general obligation bonds to
provide home mortgage loans to veterans and to provide for veterans
cemeteries. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this resolution
does not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, department, agency, or institution. 

ANALYSIS

House Joint Resolution 82 amends the Texas Constitution to provide that if
the Veterans' Land Board (board) determines that assets from the veterans'
land fund, the veterans' housing assistance fund, or the veterans' housing
assistance fund II are not required for the purposes of the respective
fund, the board may use the assets to plan and design, operate, maintain,
enlarge, or improve, veterans cemeteries.  The resolution authorizes the
board to provide for, issue, and sell general obligation bonds to provide
home mortgage loans to veterans, for which the principal amount of these
bonds may not exceed $500 million. The bonds shall be used to augment and
benefit the veterans' housing assistance fund II. 

FOR ELECTION

November 6, 2001.