89R13863 LRM-D
	By: Garcia of Bexar	H.B. No. 4458

	A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
	AN ACT
	relating to a pilot program to assist service members and veterans
	in achieving self-reliance after separation from the military.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
	SECTION 1.  Chapter 434, Government Code, is amended by
	adding Subchapter J to read as follows:
	SUBCHAPTER J. TEXAS VETERANS ACHIEVING SELF-RELIANCE PILOT PROGRAM
	Sec. 434.421.  DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter:
	(1)  "Commission" means the Texas Veterans Commission.
	(2)  "Pilot program" means the pilot program
	established under this subchapter.
	(3)  "Service member" means a member of:
	(A)  an active or reserve component of the United
	States armed forces; or
	(B)  the Texas military forces.
	(4)  "Texas military forces" has the meaning assigned
	by Section 437.001.
	(5)  "Veteran" means a former member of:
	(A)  an active or reserve component of the United
	States armed forces; or
	(B)  the Texas military forces.
	Sec. 434.422.  PILOT PROGRAM. The commission by rule shall
	establish the Texas Veterans Achieving Self-Reliance Pilot Program
	to provide services intended to help a service member or a veteran
	achieve self-reliance after separating from the military. The
	program must assist the following persons:
	(1)  service members and veterans who within the last
	year separated from:
	(A)  an active or reserve component of the United
	States armed forces; or
	(B)  the Texas military forces; and
	(2)  spouses and dependents of the service members and
	veterans described by Subdivision (1).
	Sec. 434.423.  SERVICES TO BE PROVIDED. The commission
	shall solicit requests for proposals from veterans service
	organizations to provide the persons described by Section 434.422
	with information and education on:
	(1)  employment opportunities and related services;
	(2)  housing assistance programs;
	(3)  mental health services;
	(4)  career training; and
	(5)  other essential services determined appropriate
	by the commission.
	Sec. 434.424.  EVALUATION AND CRITERIA. The commission
	shall evaluate the received proposals and must approve at least one
	or more veterans service organizations for funding to provide the
	services described by Section 434.423. The commission may only
	approve a proposal from an organization that has demonstrated in
	its proposal:
	(1)  that it has experience working in this state with
	service members or veterans or both to provide the services
	described by Section 434.423; and
	(2)  that it has access to military bases and sites at
	which the organization intends to provide the services described by
	Section 434.423.
	Sec. 434.425.  REQUIREMENTS FOR PROVIDED SERVICES. The
	services provided under the pilot program must be provided:
	(1)  only to persons described by Section 434.422; and
	(2)  at no cost to the service member or veteran or to
	the spouses or dependents of the service member or veteran.
	Sec. 434.426.  GIFTS, GRANTS, AND DONATIONS. The commission
	may accept gifts, grants, and donations to fund the pilot program
	and may collaborate with other public or private entities for
	additional funding or program expansion.
	Sec. 434.427.  REPORTING. Not later than October 1, 2028,
	the commission shall prepare and submit to the governor, the
	lieutenant governor, the speaker of the house of representatives,
	and the standing committees of the legislature with primary
	jurisdiction over veterans affairs a written report that contains:
	(1)  recommendations for legislative or other action;
	and
	(2)  an evaluation of the pilot program's
	effectiveness, including a recommendation on whether the pilot
	program should be continued, expanded, or terminated.
	Sec. 434.428.  EXPIRATION. This subchapter expires
	September 1, 2029.
	SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.