HB 5638

relating to establishing a pilot program to hire assistant veterans
county service officers in certain counties.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1.  Subchapter B, Chapter 434, Government Code, is
amended by adding Section 434.0331 to read as follows:
Sec. 434.0331.  ASSISTANT VETERANS COUNTY SERVICE OFFICER
PILOT PROGRAM.  (a)  The commission shall establish and implement a
pilot program in a county with a population of less than 2.1 million
in which a municipality with a population of more than one million
is located to award grants to the veterans county service office in
the county to hire additional assistant veterans county service
officers to provide services as provided by Section 434.035.
(b)  The commission shall enter into a written agreement with
a grant recipient specifying the terms of the grant and including
appropriate provisions for program and fiscal monitoring.
(c)  Not later than January 1, 2027, the commission shall
prepare and submit to the governor, lieutenant governor, speaker of
the house of representatives, and each member of the legislature a
written report on the effectiveness of the pilot program.  The
(A)  veterans served under the pilot program; and
(B)  claims filed by assistant veterans county
service officers hired under the pilot program; and
(2)  the commission's recommendations on whether the
pilot program should be continued, expanded, or terminated.
(d)  This section expires September 1, 2027.
SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.