Veterans (Veteran Employment)

in committee · Texas · House Apr 22, 2025

HB 4789: Relating to creation and maintenance of an electronic database to provide information to certain members of the United States armed forces regarding the resources and benefits provided to veterans.

HB 4789 creates a state-maintained electronic database to connect transitioning military members with veteran resources. It requires service members leaving active duty within 12 months to provide written consent before their contact information is added. Approved state agencies and veteran service organizations (like county veteran offices) can access this database to share details about employment, housing, healthcare, and support services. The database becomes operational on September 1, 2025, after the commission establishes access rules.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransCreates database to connect veterans with healthcare, employment, and housing resources; requires consent for access to improve service access and transition support.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Veteran Employment Veteran Healthcare Veteran Housing

Track

in committee · Texas · Senate Apr 29, 2025

SB 390: Relating to including certain veteran-owned businesses within the definition of a historically underutilized business for purposes of state contracting.

SB 390 would amend Texas law to include veteran-owned small businesses certified by the U.S. Small Business Administration as "historically underutilized businesses" (HUBs) for state contracting purposes. This change would allow veteran-owned businesses meeting SBA certification standards to qualify for state contracting programs designed to support underutilized businesses. Currently, HUB status requires ownership by economically disadvantaged persons, but this bill expands eligibility to include certified veteran-owned businesses. The bill would take effect September 1, 2025, if enacted.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransExpands state contracting access for veteran-owned businesses via HUB program, directly supporting veteran economic opportunities and employment under Military & Veterans subject.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Veteran Employment Tags Small Business

Track

in committee · Texas · House May 5, 2025

HB 1597: Relating to county jailer training on interacting with veterans in the criminal justice system.

HB 1597 requires county jailers in Texas to complete specialized training on interacting with veterans within the criminal justice system. The bill amends licensing rules to mandate that all jailers, including those already licensed, must finish this training program by August 31, 2027. The training program, developed jointly with the Texas Veterans Commission, will be integrated into existing jailer preparatory training requirements. This policy directly affects county jailers statewide, ensuring they receive targeted education to better serve veteran individuals in custody. The bill takes effect September 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates specialized jailer training on veterans, aiming to improve interactions and reduce recidivism through targeted correctional practices.92% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransMandates jailer training with Texas Veterans Commission to improve veteran interactions in criminal justice system, directly advancing veteran service accessibility.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Law Enforcement Veteran Education Veteran Employment Veteran Mental Health

Track

in committee · Texas · House May 5, 2025

HB 4458: Relating to a pilot program to assist service members and veterans in achieving self-reliance after separation from the military.

HB 4458 establishes a temporary Texas Veterans Achieving Self-Reliance Pilot Program to provide free assistance to service members and veterans who separated from military service within the past year (including active/reserve U.S. forces or Texas military forces), plus their spouses and dependents. The program requires the Texas Veterans Commission to fund qualified veterans service organizations to deliver key services like job training, housing assistance, mental health care, and career education. Organizations must demonstrate prior experience serving veterans in Texas and access to military bases to provide these no-cost services. The pilot aims to improve post-military transition outcomes through targeted support, with implementation pending legislative approval.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMental health care is explicitly listed as a funded service under the veterans' pilot program, directly supporting healthcare access for veterans.90% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransEstablishes funded pilot program providing job training, housing, mental health services to veterans and families within 1 year of separation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Military Families Veteran Employment Veteran Housing

Track

in committee · Texas · House May 12, 2025

HB 5043: Relating to the issuance of a license or provisional license to certain military service members, military veterans, and military spouses to engage in a business or occupation in this state.

HB 5043 allows Texas state agencies to issue provisional licenses to military service members, veterans, and military spouses while their full license applications are processed. The provisional license remains valid for up to 180 days or until the agency approves or denies the full application, whichever comes first. This applies to occupations regulated under the Texas Occupations Code, directly affecting these military-affiliated individuals seeking to work in Texas. The bill requires agencies to adopt implementing rules by December 1, 2025, and takes effect September 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentFacilitates employment access for military-affiliated individuals by expediting licensing, supporting workforce entry and reducing employment barriers.85% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill provides provisional licenses to veterans for occupational licensing, easing employment barriers and supporting veteran workforce integration in Texas.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Professional Licensing Military Families Veteran Employment Tags Licensing

Track

signed · Texas · House Jun 20, 2025

HB 5629: Relating to the occupational licensing of military service members, military veterans, and military spouses.

HB 5629 simplifies occupational licensing for military service members, veterans, and spouses in Texas. It allows them to practice licensed professions without obtaining a new Texas license if they hold a current, comparable license from another state in good standing, or held a Texas license within the past five years. The bill also removes residency documentation requirements (like proof of military orders or marriage licenses) for these applicants. This directly affects military-connected individuals seeking to work in licensed fields like healthcare, trades, or education across Texas.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRemoves licensing barriers for military-connected workers, facilitating employment access and aligning with employment standards by reducing bureaucratic hurdles.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransRemoves licensing barriers for veterans, enabling easier employment in Texas without redundant documentation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Professional Licensing Military Families Veteran Education Veteran Employment Tags Licensing

signed · Texas · Senate Jun 20, 2025

SB 1563: Relating to county jailer training on interacting with veterans in the criminal justice system.

SB 1563 requires Texas county jailers to complete mandatory training on interacting with veterans in the criminal justice system. The bill mandates the Texas Board of Criminal Justice, in collaboration with the Texas Veterans Commission, to develop this training program. It adds this requirement to existing jailer training standards, making it part of the eight-hour mental health training program needed for appointment or renewal. All current county jailers must complete this training by August 31, 2027, and the law took effect September 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates jailer training on veteran interactions to improve system responsiveness, aligning with reform goals of reducing recidivism and addressing vulnerable populations in corrections.85% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransMandates jailer training on veteran interactions with Texas Veterans Commission, improving justice system engagement with veterans as a recognition of service.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Veteran Education Veteran Employment Veteran Mental Health

signed · Texas · Senate Jun 20, 2025

SB 1818: Relating to the issuance of a license or provisional license to certain military service members, military veterans, and military spouses to engage in a business or occupation in this state.

This bill, SB 1818, allows military service members, veterans, and military spouses to receive a provisional license while their full occupational license application is processed in Texas. State agencies must issue these provisional licenses immediately upon application submission, valid for up to 180 days or until the final license decision is made. The law requires agencies to adopt implementing rules by December 1, 2025, and takes effect September 1, 2025. It directly affects military-connected individuals seeking to work in licensed professions across Texas.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentEnables military-connected individuals to obtain occupational licenses faster, supporting employment access for a specific workforce group.80% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill provides provisional licensing for veterans to enter occupations faster, directly supporting veteran employment by removing licensing barriers per Military & Veterans subject.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Professional Licensing Military Families Veteran Education Veteran Employment Tags Licensing