Transcript Highlights:

• Health and Human Services Commission to the Veterans' Veterans Commission, and this includes repealing
• Second, it establishes a TVC grant program for community-based mental health services for veterans and
• a Veterans County Service Officer or a peer service coordinator.
• , federal grants, and grant funding requirements.
• , federal grants, and grant funding requirements.

Bills: SB2007, SB2104, SB2543, SB2545, SB2926, SB2938

Keywords: military status, vehicle registration, veterans, Texas transportation, state records, discrimination, employment rights, spouses of service members, labor code, SB 2543, Texas veterans cemeteries, state veterans cemetery, Texas Veterans Commission, Veterans Land Board, Natural Resources Code, veterans land fund, veterans housing assistance fund, veterans burial, burial eligibility, cemetery location

Summary: The Senate Committee on Veteran Affairs heard several bills focused on veterans’ mental health, criminal justice coordination, cemetery expansion, housing, vehicle registration, and anti-discrimination protections. SB 2926 would transfer administration of veterans’ mental health initiatives from HHSC to the Texas Veterans Commission, create a community-based mental health grant program, require a statewide veteran suicide prevention action plan, and add annual reporting requirements. SB 2938 would require county jails to verify and report veteran status at intake, help veteran inmates apply for federal benefits, and provide access to county veteran services and free visitation with service coordinators. Both bills were described as joint or practical efforts to improve coordination and service delivery for veterans, and both were left pending after no public testimony was offered. The committee also heard SB 2543, which would give more flexibility to expand the Texas veterans cemetery system, and SB 2545, which would explore using manufactured homes as another affordable housing option for veterans through the Veterans Land Board. SB 2545 drew questions about how manufactured-home loans would work; a Texas Veterans Land Board witness said implementation would likely require closing at a title company rather than through a retail bill of sale, and the Texas Manufactured Housing Association testified in support. Both cemetery and housing bills were left pending. Members then heard SB 2007, which would let vehicle registration applicants voluntarily designate military status so the DMV could record it and help with benefits and towing/impound issues involving deployed service members. Witnesses from the towing industry and DMV supported the bill, saying the current system lacks enough identifying information to run military-status checks and that the indicator could help prevent vehicles from being sold while owners are deployed. SB 2104 would add military status as a protected class under state anti-discrimination laws for employment, housing, and utilities; the author said it would address ongoing discrimination against service members, veterans, and military families. The Texas VFW supported the bill, citing the Leroy Torres case as an example of why additional state protections are needed. After discussion about overlap with federal law and existing state protections, SB 2104 was also left pending.

Transcript Highlights:

• Allowing the Texas Veterans Commission (TVC) to retain a portion of grant funds to cover administrative
• Second, it establishes a TVC grant program for community-based mental health services for veterans and
• The Veterans Commission and Health and Human Services. You might like to hear from them.
• a Veterans County service officer or a peer service coordinator.
• , federal grants, and grant funding requirements, with Texas being home to 1.5 million veterans. million

Bills: SB2007, SB2104, SB2543, SB2545, SB2926, SB2938

Keywords: military status, vehicle registration, veterans, Texas transportation, state records, discrimination, employment rights, spouses of service members, labor code, SB 2543, Texas veterans cemeteries, state veterans cemetery, Texas Veterans Commission, Veterans Land Board, Natural Resources Code, veterans land fund, veterans housing assistance fund, veterans burial, burial eligibility, cemetery location

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• Veterans with total service-connected disabilities often live on a very small, fixed income and face
• This bill removes small financial burdens and allows veterans with service-connected disabilities to
• disabled veterans.
• small financial burdens and allows it laws veterans with service-connected disabilities to continue to
• And how is that funding? The funding in this bill then, does that not cover those 37 counties?

Bills: HF1355, HF78, HF1846, HF1225

Keywords: commercial diving, scuba diving safety, aquatic plant management, workplace safety, environmental regulations, HF78, Minnesota veterans, veteran retreats, Camp Bliss, Walker, Independent Lifestyles Inc., Department of Veterans Affairs, veterans affairs grant, general fund appropriation, family members, spouse, domestic partner, children, therapy, transportation

Transcript Highlights:

• Priority in grant funding is given to veterans with service-connected disability.
• Office grants, and veteran service organization grants, since they each have their own statutory grant
• service officers, our veterans service officers, or our Support Our Troops grants.
• Veterans Service Office grants veteran service organization grants since they each have their own statutory
• officer, our Veterans Service officer or our support, our troops grants.

Bills: HF3727, HF3684, HF3467

Keywords: veterans property tax, homestead exclusion, disabled veteran, totally and permanently disabled, service-connected disability, property tax relief, market value exclusion, surviving spouse, family caregiver, county veterans service officer, Minnesota property tax, assessment year 2027, homestead tax benefit, veterans tax exemption, DD214, VA disability rating, veterans, veterans affairs, Department of Veterans Affairs, grant standards

Transcript Highlights:

• One group of amendments changes the phrase Veterans Game Fund to Veterans Service Grant Fund, and that
• So the amended bill would start on page two, line six, with the veteran service grant disbursement of
• So this bill now creates a veteran service grant board responsible for overseeing the disbursement of
• the Louisiana Lottery will go annually to a veteran service grant fund.
• did so by creating a lottery scratch-off ticket to fund their veterans fund.

Bills: HB59, HB74, HB159, HB167, HB175, HB255, HB330, HB364, HB458, HB525, HB568, HB656, HB1033, HB1034, HB1070

Keywords: public defender, funding, district court, East Baton Rouge, judicial expenses, Autism Spectrum Disorder, missing children, law enforcement, public safety, Spectrum Alert, inmate documentation, post-release employment, special identification card, Louisiana Department of Public Safety, reentry services, veterans, veterans services, lottery proceeds, special fund, grant board

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• As the department is currently tasked with overseeing state-funded initiatives for veterans and former
• As the department is currently tasked with overseeing state-funded initiatives for veterans and former
• We also have the Minnesota Association of Veteran Service Officers present, the executive director and
• </c><00:34:10.159><c> Service</c> Minnesota Association of Veteran Service Minnesota Association of Veteran
• </c> this is also I know the county veteran this is also I know the county veteran service<00:40:39.680

Bills: HF3540, HF3522, HF3544

Keywords: veterans rights, employment discrimination, human rights, Minnesota laws, protected classes, veterans, Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs, veterans affairs, Secret War in Laos, SGU veteran, Hmong veterans, Laotian veterans, honor guard, military funeral honors, state veterans cemetery, burial eligibility, veterans home, temporary closure, state active service, National Guard

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill creates a Veterans Service Grant Board.
• Service Grant Fund.
• A $500,000 annual allocation from the Louisiana Lottery into the dedicated veteran service grant fund
• I respectfully urge your support for this initiative and the creation of the veteran services grant fund
• Service Grant Fund.

Bills: HB165, HB175, HB198, HB272, HB457, HB488, HB566, HB603, HB763, HB902, HB909, HB971, HB981, HB1066, HB1125, HB1154, HB1231

Keywords: HB165, lottery proceeds, Lottery Proceeds Fund, Veterans Service Grant Fund, constitutional amendment, veterans, military veterans, veterans' benefits, veterans services, family support, state lottery, education funding, Minimum Foundation Program, problem gambling, compulsive gaming, state treasurer, ballot proposition, constitutional referendum, lottery revenue, Louisiana resident veterans

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm here to talk about something far more important, which are the services that our 400,000 veterans
• Has done, but all of the veteran services organizations around the state.
• services. ...veteran services.
• effective in providing services to thousands of Alabama veterans, opening veteran service offices in
• by various veteran service organizations and then approved and appointed by the governor.

Bills: HB154, HB153, HB180, SB70

Keywords: veterans affairs, Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs, State Board of Veterans Affairs, commissioner, governor appointment, board advisory, veteran service organizations, veterans homes, veterans cemeteries, veteran service officers, district managers, state veterans home trust fund, veterans benefits, military veterans, disabled veterans, elderly veterans, active-duty service members, state agency reorganization, executive authority, governance reform

Transcript Highlights:

• And so it's a very good service that we do. We give them, we see a lot of veterans.
• This is a Department of Labor Veteran Employment and Training Services grant that every state receives
• But before I do that, there's a fund for veteran assistance, we have a grant program.
• Renovate homes for disabled veterans and low-income veterans. Mental health grants.
• for veterans and their families, requires a funding match from non-service providers.

Bills: SB651, SB897, SB1814, SB1818

Keywords: SB 651, Texas Government Code, Section 434.032, veterans county service office, county veterans services, commissioners court, county executive official, county administration, local government, veterans affairs, veterans benefits, county oversight, reporting structure, public administration, large counties, population 200,000 or more, mental health, veterans, community support, grant program

Transcript Highlights:

• service grant fund that we're going to utilize inside the Department of Veterans Affairs to fund grants
• to help our veterans and their families.
• to the Veterans Service Grant Fund for use as provided by law.
• One would be set up a reserve fund that just puts a certain amount into a reserve fund, a savings, okay
• The proposal... ...the authorized uses of public funds.

Bills: HB165, HB603, SB77, SB140, SB185

Keywords: HB165, lottery proceeds, Lottery Proceeds Fund, Veterans Service Grant Fund, constitutional amendment, veterans, military veterans, veterans' benefits, veterans services, family support, state lottery, education funding, Minimum Foundation Program, problem gambling, compulsive gaming, state treasurer, ballot proposition, constitutional referendum, lottery revenue, Louisiana resident veterans

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• In Texas, but for veterans and service members, getting them licensed faster, working sooner, and thereby
• Thank you for your service not only to the veteran but to their spouses.
• more information on services available to veterans in Texas.
• For driver's license applicants, the bill will also ensure that DPS provides a One-pager on veteran services
• veterans to the services and opportunities that they are qualified for.

Bills: HCR46, HB1389, HB3359, HB5629

Keywords: commemoration, military, navy seal, honor, January 12, Nathan Gage Ingram, military funeral honors, JROTC, veterans, training, grant program, military honors, community engagement, funeral services, education grants, community service, HB 3359, veteran status, Texas Veterans Commission, veterans services

Transcript Highlights:

• The Senate Veterans Affairs Committee will come to order. Clerk will call the roll. Hancock.
• language directing the transfer of contracts, property and records, and personnel from Health and Human Services
• Is there any other business that needs to be discussed before the Veteran Affairs Committee?
• There being none, Veteran Affairs Committee stands in recess subject to the call of the chair.

Bills: HB 39, HB 114, HB 1875, HB 1894, HB 1965, HB 2513

Keywords: veterans, mental health, Texas Veterans Commission, peer support, suicide prevention, community mental health, grant program, cemetery, General Land Office, burial plot, remembrance, monthly designation, honoring military, Texas legislation, rural services, paid leave, fire protection personnel, military service, public employees, employment benefits

Transcript Highlights:

• ' mental health initiatives from the Texas Health and Human Services Commission to the Texas Veterans
• the Health and Human Services Commission to the Texas Veterans Commission.
• It would establish a TVC grant program for community-based mental health services, and it would direct
• Currently, the military veteran peer network comprises 66 TVC-certified peer service coordinators who
• However, the military veteran peer network's capacity does not meet the growing demand for services.

Bills: HB39, HB114, HB1875, HB1894, HB1965, HB2513

Keywords: veterans, mental health, Texas Veterans Commission, peer support, suicide prevention, community mental health, grant program, cemetery, General Land Office, burial plot, remembrance, monthly designation, honoring military, Texas legislation, rural services, paid leave, fire protection personnel, military service, public employees, employment benefits

Summary: The Senate Committee on Veteran Affairs heard several House bills related to veterans’ services, mental health, military leave, burial access, suicide data, and Veterans Month. House Bill 114 would transfer administration of certain veterans’ mental health initiatives from HHSC to the Texas Veterans Commission, create a TVC grant program for community-based mental health services, require a statewide veteran suicide prevention action plan, and mandate annual reporting. A committee substitute was mentioned, but members said they were not prepared to adopt it yet. No one testified for or against the bill, and it was left pending. House Bill 1965 would direct TVC to study ways to expand access to mental health services through the military veteran peer network, including increasing peer support coordinators, with emphasis on rural communities and broader use in veterans treatment courts. Support testimony came from the Texas VFW, which emphasized the value of peer-to-peer support and the network’s role in suicide prevention. The bill was left pending after testimony. House Bill 2513 would clarify military leave rules for state-employed firefighters by counting their 24-hour or 48-hour shifts appropriately so they do not have to use vacation time to fulfill military duty; a firefighters’ representative testified in support, and the bill was left pending. The committee also heard House Bill 1875, which would require the General Land Office and TVC to study veterans’ burial needs, access to cemeteries, and cemetery operational needs, and House Bill 39, which would require DSHS to provide TVC de-identified death certificate data when a veteran dies by suicide or homicide to improve understanding of veteran deaths. The Texas VFW supported HB 39. House Bill 1894 would designate November as Veterans Month in Texas. All of these bills were left pending, and members indicated they were waiting on committee substitutes before voting, with possible action later on the floor or in committee.

Bills: HB 101, HB1819, HB1875, HB1965, HB2193, HB2914, HB3248, HB3354, HB3531, HB101

Keywords: Texas State Guard, task force, professionalization, state missions, critical infrastructure, veterans, veterans' affairs, mental health, community mental health, behavioral health, grant program, matching grant, non-state match, community services, family support, county population, Health and Human Services Commission, HHSC, public safety, homeland security

Transcript Highlights:

• The target for the energy finance bill was no change from base funding in both the 26 and 27 biennium
• The target for the energy finance bill was no change from base funding in both the 26 and 27 biennium
• is a lights-on budget that is based off of the February forecast and we'll just be providing base funding
• 22.799><c> base</c> and um we'll just be providing um base and um we'll just be providing um base funding
• to the department of commerce uh funding to the department of commerce uh division<00:01:25.920><c>

Bills: SF1959, HF2444, SF2298, HF2445, SF2216, HF2443, HF2130, HF1943, HF2436, HF2442

Keywords: veterans, military affairs, Department of Veterans Affairs, Department of Military Affairs, omnibus veterans bill, appropriations, National Guard, state active service, armory, State Armory Building Commission, veterans homes, veterans cemeteries, county veterans service office, Minnesota GI Bill, Gold Star families, Blue Star families, Secret War in Laos, Hmong veterans, Laos veterans, special guerrilla units

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• He said the funding is coming from the Driver and Vehicle Services operating account and that there is
• The funding is coming from the Driver and Vehicle Services operating account.
• Um, what I know is that the account receives funding from vehicle services fees, things like vehicle
• </c><00:34:53.359><c> The</c> increased or decreased funding. The increased or decreased funding.
• </c><00:36:59.520><c> So,</c> were um food security funding. So, were um food security funding.

Bills: SF1959, HF2444, SF2298, HF2445, SF2216, HF2443, HF2130, HF1943, HF2436, HF2442

Keywords: veterans, military affairs, Department of Veterans Affairs, Department of Military Affairs, omnibus veterans bill, appropriations, National Guard, state active service, armory, State Armory Building Commission, veterans homes, veterans cemeteries, county veterans service office, Minnesota GI Bill, Gold Star families, Blue Star families, Secret War in Laos, Hmong veterans, Laos veterans, special guerrilla units

Transcript Highlights:

• Health and Human Services Commission to the Texas Veterans Commission.
• the Health and Human Services Commission to the Texas Veterans Commission.
• It would establish a Texas Veterans Commission grant program for community-based mental health services
• Currently, the Military Veteran Peer Network comprises 66 Texas Veterans Commission certified peer service
• which we can increase access to mental health services through the Military Veteran Peer Network.

Bills: HB39, HB114, HB1875, HB1894, HB1965, HB2513, HB39, HB114

Keywords: veterans, mental health, Texas Veterans Commission, peer support, suicide prevention, community mental health, grant program, cemetery, General Land Office, burial plot, remembrance, monthly designation, honoring military, Texas legislation, rural services, paid leave, fire protection personnel, military service, public employees, employment benefits

Transcript Highlights:

• The Senate Veteran Affairs Committee will come to order. Clark will call the roll. Hancock? Here.
• language directing the transfer of contracts, property, records, and personnel from Health and Human Services
• There is other business that needs to be discussed before the Veteran Affairs Committee, the ring nuns
• The Veteran Affairs Committee stands in recess, subject to the call of the chair.

Bills: HB39, HB114, HB39, HB114, HB1875, HB1894, HB1965, HB2513

Keywords: public school finance, property values, homestead exemptions, funding allocation, education policy, public school bonds, school funding, guarantee prohibition, education finance, state law change, veterans, mental health, Texas Veterans Commission, peer support, suicide prevention, community mental health, grant program, cemetery, General Land Office, burial plot

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• in</c><00:02:18.239><c> rural</c> services for veterans living in rural services for veterans living
• So we also have county veteran service officers in every county.
• Kelly: We also have county veteran service officers in every county.
• They are treated in the veterans home. We are funded 45% of our budget by the federal VA.
• himself</c><01:20:48.080><c> and</c> service including a veteran himself and service including a veteran

Bills: HF4588, HF3685, HF4577, HF4932

Keywords: veterans, veterans affairs, mental health, behavioral health, rural health, rural areas, access to care, task force, Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs, general fund appropriation, veteran suicide prevention, PTSD, service members, military families, telehealth, rural psychiatry, high school diploma, armed forces, education policy, military service

Transcript Highlights:

• Department of Veterans Affairs to perform that service.
• of Veterans Services?
• Is your company the only company out there providing veteran services? Mr. Christensen. Mr.
• to veterans, that we continue to providing service to veterans, that we continue to rely on the United
• provide grants to veteran-owned and veteran-operated nonprofit organizations that are founded or led

Bills: SB1232, SB1421, SB1505, SB1511, SB1520, SB1803

Keywords: outdoor advertising, military compatibility, zoning, electronic signage, permitting, undocumented immigrants, financial services, identification requirements, loans, foreign remittances, transitional housing, military, veterans, grant program, supportive services, SB1511, commercial driver license, CDL, nondomiciled CDL, nondomiciled commercial driver license