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Bill would let veterans opt to self‑identify on voter registration and driver's license forms for outreach
Summary
HB 3359 would let veterans optionally self‑identify on voter registration and driver's license applications and require the Secretary of State and DPS to share that contact information with the Texas Veterans Commission to proactively connect veterans to services; committee left the bill pending after no public testimony.
The Committee on Veteran Affairs heard House Bill 3359, which would create two optional avenues for veterans to self‑identify to the state through voter registration and driver's license applications, then require the Secretary of State and the Department of Public Safety (DPS) to share self‑identified veterans’ contact information with the Texas Veterans Commission (TVC).
Senator Eckhart said the bill is intended to address reports that many veterans do not know what benefits they qualify for or where to get help. “HB 33 59 addresses these concerns by creating 2 new avenues for veterans to optionally self identify to the state, through voter registration and driver's license applications,” Eckhart said. “The bill requires the secretary of state and DPS to share self identified veterans contact information with the Texas Veterans Commission so the agency can proactively connect veterans to services and benefits they have earned.”
A resource witness from the Texas Veterans Commission attended the hearing. The committee opened public testimony, had no speakers, and left HB 3359 pending.
