S.B. No. 1480




AN ACT
relating to the powers and duties of the Texas Veterans Commission. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Subchapter G, Chapter 403, Government Code, is amended by adding Section 403.108 to read as follows: Sec. 403.108. PERMANENT FUND FOR VETERANS' ASSISTANCE. (a) The permanent fund for veterans' assistance is a special fund in the state treasury outside the general revenue fund. The fund is composed of: (1) money transferred to the fund at the direction of the legislature; (2) gifts and grants contributed to the fund; and (3) the available earnings of the fund determined in accordance with Section 403.1068. (b) Except as provided by Subsections (c) and (e), money in the fund may not be appropriated for any purpose. (c) The available earnings of the fund may be appropriated to the Texas Veterans Commission to: (1) enhance or improve veterans' assistance programs, including veterans' representation and counseling; and (2) make grants to local communities to address veterans' needs. (d) The Texas Veterans Commission may adopt rules governing the award of grants by the commission under this section. (e) The comptroller may solicit and accept gifts and grants to the fund. A gift or grant to the fund may be appropriated in the same manner as the available earnings of the fund, subject to any limitation or requirement placed on the gift or grant by the donor or granting entity. (f) Sections 403.095 and 404.071 do not apply to the fund. SECTION 2. Subsection (a), Section 403.1068, Government Code, is amended to read as follows: (a) This section applies only to management of the permanent funds established under Sections 403.105, 403.1055, 403.106, 403.1065, [and] 403.1066, and 403.108. SECTION 3. Subchapter A, Chapter 434, Government Code, is amended by adding Section 434.016 to read as follows: Sec. 434.016. GIFTS AND GRANTS. The commission may accept gifts of money and property and may accept grants. SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2005.
______________________________ ______________________________ President of the Senate Speaker of the House
I hereby certify that S.B. No. 1480 passed the Senate on April 14, 2005, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0. ______________________________ Secretary of the Senate I hereby certify that S.B. No. 1480 passed the House on May 20, 2005, by a non-record vote. ______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House Approved: ______________________________ Date ______________________________ Governor