Texas Veterans Commission

Final Results of Last Sunset Review

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• Continue the Texas Veterans Commission (TVC) for 12 years.

Claims Counseling

• Require TVC to track, evaluate, and strategically adjust claims staffing and special teams.
• Require TVC to better track and analyze claims outcome data to guide program success.
• Remove specific statutory military service requirements for veteran county service officers (VCSOs), but add a statutory requirement for a veterans preference for VCSOs based on the veterans preference in state law that state agencies follow (Section 657.002, Texas Government Code).  Also, require counties to adopt their own veterans preference policies for VCSOs.
• Direct TVC to temporarily report on claims staffing and outcome data analyses.  (Management action – nonstatutory)
• Direct TVC to strengthen support for claims staff and preserve institutional knowledge.  (Management action – nonstatutory)
• Direct TVC to add information to its website about the claims process, including forms, checklists, basic claims information, and embedded VA resources.  (Management action – nonstatutory)
• Direct TVC to allow veterans to schedule appointments for claims counseling, while maintaining the option for walk-in services.  Also, direct the agency to use teleconference or other alternative technologies to assist Texas veterans when the veteran does not need to be physically present in the office for assistance.  (Management action – nonstatutory)

Grants

• Direct TVC to extend the length of its grant cycle from one to two years.  (Management action – nonstatutory)
• Direct the agency to formalize the roles and training of the commissioners and the grants advisory committee to improve quality and transparency in the evaluation process.  (Management action – nonstatutory)
• Direct TVC to develop and track enhanced grantee performance measures to better evaluate the benefit of its grant funding to veterans.  (Management action – nonstatutory)
• Direct the agency to create and provide grant-writing training for VCSOs either through online or in-person training.  (Management action – nonstatutory)

Governance

• Require TVC to annually evaluate and set priorities, and create and track meaningful outcome measures for all its programs.
• Update the standard across-the-board requirement related to commission member training.
• Direct the agency to survey Texas veterans on a regular basis about their experience with agency programs and overall needs.  (Management action – nonstatutory)
• Direct TVC to create a publicly available complaint process and track complaint data.  (Management action – nonstatutory)
• Require TVC’s Mental Health Program director to be a licensed mental health professional and meet specific education and experience requirements.  These requirements go into effect September 1, 2021.
• Direct TVC to restructure and streamline the scope and expense of its annual conference.  (Management action – nonstatutory)
• Direct TVC to track and analyze detailed training costs to identify potential savings and improvements.  (Management action – nonstatutory)
• Direct TVC to prioritize online training and other cost-effective tools to facilitate regular collaboration among staff and partners.  (Management action – nonstatutory)
• Direct the commission to implement requirements for encouraging purchasing from historically underutilized businesses.  (Management action – nonstatutory)