Bills in Texas that are Vetran specific

[Caruthers]

The following is the status of “key” veteran bills from the 81st Texas Legislative Session:

100% Property Tax Reduction for 100% Disabled Veterans:

SB 469 (Carona et al: A disabled veteran who receives from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs or its successor 100 percent disability compensation due to a service-connected disability and a rating of 100 percent disabled or of individual unemployability is entitled to an exemption from taxation of the total appraised value of the veteran’s residence homestead) was amended to HB 3613 (Otto et al: A bill to be entitled An Act relating to the determination of the market value of a residence homestead for ad valorem tax purposes on the basis of the property’s value as a residence homestead) on 5/25/09. HB 3613: Passed House 5/27/09. Signed in the Senate 6/1/09; signed in the House 6/2/09.

Next Step: will be sent to the Governor for signature or veto.

Scratch-off Lottery Ticket to Benefit the Fund for Veterans:

SB 1655 (Relating to the organization, duties, and functions of the Texas Veterans Commission and to providing funding for assistance for veterans through a lottery game) passed the senate with the lottery amendment intact. On 1 June 09 the report was enrolled in the Senate.

Next Step: will be sent to the Governor for signature or veto.

HB 4583 (Relating to the creation and re-creation of funds and accounts in the state treasury, the dedication and rededication of revenue, and the exemption of unappropriated money from use for general governmental purposes) was signed in the House 2 June 09 and has also been amended and passed to protect the lottery funds from being swept and allow transfer to the FVA.

Next Step: will be sent to the Governor for signature or veto.

Voluntary Contributions to benefit the Fund for Veterans:

SB 1940 (Relating to the fund for veterans' assistance, voluntary contributions to the Fund by State employees, and to the establishment of pretrial veterans court programs) has been signed in the House and the Senate and sent 1 June 09 to the Governor for signature or veto.

Mental Health for Veterans:

SB 1325: Nelson: relating to the creation of a mental health intervention program for military veterans. The bill was signed in the Senate on 5/28/09, signed in the House on 5/29/09, and sent to the Governor on 5/29/09 for signature or veto.

Military Absentee Voting by Electronic Means:

HB 551: Relating to the electronic transmission of a federal postcard application used for voting. Bill passed the Senate on 5/20/09, was signed in the House on 5/24/09, signed in the Senate on 5/25/09, and sent to the Governor 5/26/09 for signature or veto.

Restore Agent Orange Presumptive Diseases to “Blue Water” Navy Veterans:

SCR 38: Memorializing Congress to restore the presumption of a service connection for Agent Orange exposure to veterans who served on the inland waterways, territorial waters, and in the airspace of the Republic of Vietnam. Passed House and Senate; enrolled 5/30/09.

[Steadfast]

Thanks for posting this Ranger Caruthers. Good info.