85R4933 MCK-D     By: Alonzo H.B. No. 1007       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to the establishment of veterans resource centers at   certain institutions of higher education.          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. VETERANS RESOURCE CENTERS          Sec. 434.451.  DEFINITIONS.  In this subchapter:                (1)  "Commission" means the Texas Veterans Commission.                (2)  "Higher education regions" means the higher   education regions in this state established by the Texas Higher   Education Coordinating Board.                (3)  "Institution of higher education" has the meaning   assigned by Section 61.003, Education Code.          Sec. 434.452.  VETERANS RESOURCE CENTERS. The commission   shall administer a veterans resource center in at least one   institution of higher education in each region specified in Section   434.453 to:                (1)  provide a centralized place for veterans to find   assistance and information while enrolled at an institution of   higher education;                (2)  deliver innovative, cost-effective programs to   attract veterans and family members of veterans to attend public   institutions of higher education;                (3)  enable institutions of higher education to create   veteran-friendly environments;                (4)  encourage veterans to take advantage of government   educational programs; and                (5)  assist veterans in applying to public institutions   of higher education.          Sec. 434.453.  LOCATIONS OF CENTERS.  The commission shall   operate 15 veterans resource centers throughout this state with at   least one veterans resource center located in each of the following   higher education regions:                (1)  High Plains Region;                (2)  Northwest Texas Region;                (3)  Metroplex Region;                (4)  Upper East Texas Region;                (5)  Southeast Texas Region;                (6)  Gulf Coast Region;                (7)  Central Texas Region;                (8)  South Texas Region;                (9)  West Texas Region; and                (10)  Upper Rio Grande Region.          Sec. 434.454.  DUTIES OF INSTITUTION OF HIGHER EDUCATION.   Each institution of higher education that has a veterans resource   center shall enter into a memorandum of understanding with the   commission.  The memorandum of understanding must require the   institution of higher education to provide and bear the cost of the   following:                (1)  office space on the campus of the institution of   higher education that is accessible to persons with disabilities   and complies with any applicable federal and state law; and                (2)  office equipment, telephone equipment and   service, computer equipment, and Internet access.          Sec. 434.455.  PROGRAM MANAGER. The commission shall employ   a program manager to administer the veterans resource center   program. The program manager shall:                (1)  provide leadership, training, support, and   overall management of the veterans resource center program;                (2)  evaluate the effectiveness of veterans resource   centers in identifying the services required by veterans to   optimize the success of veterans and their families in obtaining a   college education and in providing those services;                (3)  supervise the regional veterans resource   counselors;                (4)  prepare an annual budget;                (5)  monitor the outcomes of the veterans resource   center program;                (6)  using data provided by the Texas Higher Education   Coordinating Board, produce an annual report on veterans'    attendance at public institutions of higher education;                (7)  apply to private organizations and foundations for   grant funding or other support that complements the objectives of   the program; and                (8)  perform any other task required by the commission.          Sec. 434.456.  REGIONAL VETERANS RESOURCE COUNSELORS.  (a)     The commission shall employ a regional veterans resource counselor   for each higher education region to oversee the veterans resource   center or centers located in the region.          (b)  A regional veterans resource counselor shall maintain   an office at a veterans resource center at an institution of higher   education located in the higher education region served by the   counselor.          (c)  Each regional veterans resource counselor shall:                (1)  visit each institution of higher education located   in the higher education region served by the counselor;                (2)  work with those institutions of higher education   described by Subdivision (1) to:                      (A)  create a hospitable and supportive   environment for veterans;                      (B)  enhance awareness of and encourage   participation in veterans educational programs and in commission   programs providing other services to veterans, including   employment and claims assistance services;                      (C)  develop programs providing ancillary   assistance to veterans based on the unique needs of veterans and   their families;                      (D)  ensure that veterans successfully complete   their education; and                      (E)  promote the establishment of a student   veterans group on each campus in the region;                (3)  work with local, state, and national veterans   groups, including the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American   Legion, to promote educational opportunities and benefits to the   veteran population in the higher education region;                (4)  work with local workforce development boards to:                      (A)  ensure that veterans counselors are aware of   available nontraditional educational opportunities, including   on-the-job training programs and apprenticeships; and                      (B)  advise employers in the region of potential   opportunities to create on-the-job training programs for veterans;                (5)  work with education services officers at military   installations to encourage active duty members of the armed forces   of the United States and veterans to use federal and state   educational benefits;                (6)  create and manage publicity campaigns in concert   with the commission and institutions of higher education in the   higher education region to promote the use of education benefits   under the federal Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of   2008 (38 U.S.C. Section 3301 et seq.), the tuition exemption   program for veterans and their dependents under Section 54.341,   Education Code, and any other education benefit for veterans or   their dependents under federal or state law;                (7)  support programs to assist combat veteran students   in readjusting and reintegrating into a noncombat environment;                (8)  maintain statistical information regarding   demographics of veterans assisted, application success, program   completion rates, dropout rates, and reasons for success or   failure, as appropriate; and                (9)  perform other activities, as assigned by the   commission, to enhance the educational opportunities of veterans   and their family members in the higher education region and   throughout this state.          Sec. 434.457.  RULEMAKING AUTHORITY.  The commission may   adopt rules to implement this subchapter.          SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2017.