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SB 2543 Texas Senate · 89th Legislature (2025)

Relating to the amount of certain revenue that may be used for and the location of state veterans cemeteries.

This bill amends Texas law to clarify how state veterans cemeteries funded by federal grants may be managed and funded. It requires the Texas Veterans Commission to establish guidelines for cemetery locations, size, and burial eligibility, and to select up to seven locations statewide for these cemeteries. The bill limits annual spending to $7 million from specific veterans funds (veterans' land fund and housing assistance funds) for planning, operating, maintaining, or improving these cemeteries, while prohibiting the use of those funds to acquire land for new cemeteries. The changes apply to state-run veterans cemeteries receiving federal grants and take effect September 1, 2025.
Issues: ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesBill explicitly limits annual spending to $7M from veterans' funds, restricting budget allocation for cemetery operations.90% confidence ✗ HousingOpposes HousingBill diverts housing assistance funds to veterans' cemeteries, reducing funds available for housing programs per bill's funding source allocation.90% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill allocates $7M from veterans' funds for cemetery planning, operation, and maintenance, ensuring proper management of veterans' burial services per Texas law.95% confidence
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Mar 2025
Committee Review
May 2025
Senate Passage
May 2025
House Passage
May 2025
Signed into Law
Jun 2025
Introduced Mar 13, 2025 Signed Jun 20, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

Engrossed → Enrolled · 1 edit · Jun 20, 2025
MINOR
The bill text was converted from an 'Engrossed' draft version to the final 'Enrolled' version ready for the Governor's signature. The substantive policy content regarding veterans cemetery funding, guidelines, and effective dates remained unchanged, with only formatting, spacing, and certification signatures added to finalize the legislative process.
TECHNICAL

Removed draft metadata (sponsor names, bill numbers) and added official enrolled formatting including certification signatures for Senate and House passage, Governor approval, and effective date confirmation.

Floor votes · House May 22, 2025

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
49
Key actions
14
Committee
9
Jun 20, 2025
Signed into law
Signed by the Governor
executive
May 26, 2025
Lower · Passed
Signed in the House
lower
May 26, 2025
Upper · Passed
Signed in the Senate
upper
May 23, 2025
Upper · Passed
House passage reported
upper
May 23, 2025
Lower · Passed
Passed
lower
May 22, 2025
House · Passed
House Vote: pass (135-0-6)
house
May 12, 2025
Lower · Passed
Committee report sent to Calendars
lower
May 12, 2025
Lower · Passed
Committee report distributed
lower
May 7, 2025
Lower · Passed
Reported favorably w/o amendment(s)
lower
May 2, 2025
Committee
Referred to Homeland Security, Public Safety & Veterans' Affairs
lower
May 2, 2025
Introduced
Read first time
lower
May 1, 2025
Introduced
Received from the Senate
lower
May 1, 2025
Upper · Passed
Passed
upper
Apr 28, 2025
Upper · Passed
Committee report printed and distributed
upper
Apr 28, 2025
Upper · Passed
Reported favorably as substituted
upper
Apr 23, 2025
Upper · Passed
Vote taken in committee
upper
Apr 15, 2025
Upper · Passed
Left pending in committee
upper
Apr 3, 2025
Committee
Referred to Vet Affairs
upper
Apr 3, 2025
Introduced
Read first time
upper
2 primary · 2 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Cole Hefner
Cole Hefner
RRepublican
TX
5
P
KH
Kelly Hancock
RRepublican
TX
9
Co
Photo of Adam Hinojosa
Adam Hinojosa
RRepublican
TX
27
Co
Photo of Chuy Hinojosa
Chuy Hinojosa
DDemocratic
TX
20