Veteran Related Bills, Texas 83rd Session

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brentski
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Veteran Related Bills, Texas 83rd Session

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Subject: Veteran Related Bills From 83rd Texas Legislature Signed by Governor Perry on 6/14/13
The following is the outcome for the major Veteran related bills considered by the 83rd Texas Legislature.

On the Senate side
SB 163, which would exempt the surviving spouse of a member of the armed services of the USA who is killed in action. SB 163 passed the House and Senate on 5/24/13, and was approved by Governor Perry on 5/27/13. NOTE: this Act takes effect 1 January 2014, but only if HJR 62 (a change to the Texas Constitution) is approved by the voters in the November Proposition ballots.

HJR 24: proposing a constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to provide for an exemption from ad valorem taxation of part of the market value of the residence homestead of a partially disabled veteran or the surviving spouse of a partially disabled veteran if the residence was donated to the disabled veteran by a charitable organization. HJR 24 was signed by the House on 5/24/13 and the Senate on 5/26/17, and was filed with the Secretary of State on 5/28/13.

HB 97, the enabling legislation for HJR 24 passed the House on 5/10/13, and passed the Senate as Amended on 5/22/13, and was approved by Governor Perry on 5/27/13. NOTE: this Act takes effect 1 January 2014, but only if HJR 24 (a change to the Texas Constitution) is approved by the voters in the November Proposition ballots.

Service Disabled Veteran Owned Businesses:

HB 194: Farias / Ratliff / Menendez / GuerraWill place SDVOBs as “economically disadvantaged” which will allow SDVOBs to compete for State contracts in the same category as HUBs (Historically Underutilized Businesses: race, gender, and ethnicities) if their VA rated disability is 20% or greater. The bill was voted out of the House Defense Affairs Committee favorably without amendments on 3/28/13. HB 194 passed with amendments from the House on 5/8/13, passed the Senate on 5/22/13. 5/27/13: HB 194 was signed in the House and the Senate, and was signed by Governor Perry on 6/14/13. The bill becomes effective 1 September 2013.

The passage of HB 194, which will allow Service Disabled Veteran Owned Businesses to compete for State contracts in the same category as HUBs (Historically Underutilized Businesses: based on race, gender and ethnicity) was a major victory.

HB 633 Farias / Moody
Relating to a voluntary contribution to the fund for veterans' assistance when applying for a driver's license or personal identification certificate. Governor Perry signed HB 633 on 6/14/13. The bill becomes effective 1 September 2013.

HB 1123: Herrero
Toll road exemptions for Medal of Honor, Disabled Veterans, and Purple Heart recipients. Passed the House on 5/8/13; passed the Senate on 5/22/13. 5/23/13: Senate passage reported in the House. 5/25/13: signed in the House. Governor Perry signed HB 1123 on 6/14/13. The bill becomes effective 1 September 2013.

HB 1678: Frullo /Duncan
Relating to the issuance of specialty license plates for surviving spouses of disabled veterans of the United States armed forces; authorizing a fee. 5/26/13 HB 1678 has passed the House and the Senate; 5/27/13 and was signed by Governor Perry on 6/14/13. The bill becomes effective 1 September 2013.

SB 981: Van de Putte / Davis / Hinojosa
Relating to electric utility bill payment assistance programs for certain veterans burned in combat. 5/20/13 passed the House; 5/24/13: signed in the Senate. Governor Perry signed SB 981 on 6/14/13. The bill becomes effective 1 September 2013.

SB 1159: Van de Putte / Diane Patrick
Relating to higher education for certain military personnel and their dependents: readmission to graduate and professional programs. SB 1159 was signed in the House and Senate on 5/27/13. Governor Perry signed SB 1159 on 6/14/13. The bill becomes effective 1 September 2013.

HB 485: Sarah David / Guillen / Ralph Sheffield
Relating to the amount of the fees paid by certain peace officers, correctional officers, members of the state military forces, and veterans of the armed forces for a license to carry a concealed handgun and to the issuance of such a license to certain peace officers and members of the state military forces; authorizing a fee. 5/21/13: signed in the House and the Senate; 5/22/13 and was signed by Governor Perry on 6/14/13. The bill becomes effective 1 September 2013.

SB 162: Van de Putte / Davis / Hinojosa / Rodriguez
Relating to the occupational licensing of spouses of members of the military and the eligibility requirements for certain occupational licenses issued to applicants with military experience. 5/6/13: signed in the House and the Senate; 5/18/13: signed by the Governor. Effective Immediately.

HB 3064: Menendez / Moody
Relating to the disposition of unclaimed cremated remains of certain veterans. 5/20/13: signed in the House and the Senate; 5/20/13 and was signed by Governor Perry on 6/14/13. The bill becomes effective 1 September 2013.

HB 150: Larson / Rick Miller / Sheets / Farias / Anderson
Relating to the display of flags at half-staff at the Capitol building to honor service members killed in action. 5/20/13: signed in the House and Senate; 5/20/13 and was signed by Governor Perry on 6/14/13. The bill becomes effective 1 September 2013.

SB 597: Birdwell
Relating to the issuance of specialty license plates for certain Operation Enduring Freedom veterans. 4/4/13: passed the Senate; 5/23/13: passed the House. 5/24/13 SB 597 is enrolled and was signed by Governor Perry on 6/14/13. The bill becomes effective 1 September 2013.

HB 402: Sarah Davis
Relating to a medal for certain members of the state military forces who served during the Cold War; authorizing a fee. 5/20/13: signed in the House and the Senate; was signed by Governor Perry on 6/14/13. The bill becomes effective 1 September 2013.

SB 1476: West
Relating to the creation of the Veteran Entrepreneur program by the Texas Veterans Commission. 5/16/13: approved by the House and the Senate. 5/27/13 approved by the Governor. The bill becomes effective 1 September 2013.

HB 1514: Donna Howard
Provides World War II veterans with veterans license plates that allow them to receive privileged parking benefits including use of most parking meters free of charge. Governor Perry approved the bill on 5/27/13. The bill becomes effective 1 September 2013.
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