Relating to a study by the Texas Veterans Commission regarding the provision of veterans benefits in this state, the official text

H.B. No. 2193

AN ACT

relating to a study by the Texas Veterans Commission regarding the

provision of veterans benefits in this state.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. (a) In this Act, "commission" means the Texas

Veterans Commission.

(b) The commission shall conduct a study to determine:

(1) the number of veterans in this state who are

entitled under state or federal law to receive veterans benefits

managed, provided, or facilitated by the commission;

(2) the location of the veterans described by

Subdivision (1) of this subsection disaggregated by county;

(3) the number of claims benefit advisors employed by

the commission;

(4) the number of claims benefit advisors necessary

for the commission to employ and the geographic locations at which

the advisors should perform their duties in order to provide

services to veterans in the most efficient manner considering:

(A) the geographic areas currently served by

veterans county service officers; and

(B) the option of allowing multiple counties to

be served at the same location in a way that minimizes drive times

and distances traveled by veterans to receive services; and

(5) the costs to implement the service delivery system

described by Subdivision (4) of this subsection, including the

estimated costs of hiring, training, and equipping claims benefit

advisors and of offices and office operations and support staff.

(c) In determining the costs under Subsection (b)(5) of this

section, the commission may consider collocating claims benefit

advisors with facilities, institutions, and organizations that are

currently providing services to veterans.

(d) Not later than June 1, 2026, the commission shall submit

to the governor, the lieutenant governor, the speaker of the house

of representatives, and each member of the legislature a report on

the results of the study and any recommendations for legislative or

other action.

SECTION 2. This Act expires January 1, 2027.

SECTION 3. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives

a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as

provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this

Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this

Act takes effect September 1, 2025.

______________________________
______________________________

President of the Senate
Speaker of the House

I certify that H.B. No. 2193 was passed by the House on May

14, 2025, by the following vote: Yeas 117, Nays 22, 2 present, not

voting.

______________________________

Chief Clerk of the House

I certify that H.B. No. 2193 was passed by the Senate on May

25, 2025, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0.

______________________________

Secretary of the Senate

APPROVED: _____________________

Date

_____________________

Governor