City legislative liaisons brief VAC on federal appropriations and Texas bills affecting veterans

Alekandra Gorski, the city’s legislative liaison, told the Veterans Advisory Committee the city is tracking federal appropriations and potential shutdown impacts and is pursuing targeted, smaller funding packages where possible. She said the office is coordinating with local partners and encouraged the commission to provide topic‑specific input for federal advocacy.

Cesar Ortiz, policy analyst for City of El Paso strategic and legislative affairs, summarized his packet of state‑level measures: he identified 116 bills filed related to military service members and veterans across the 89th regular session and two special sessions, of which 29 were enacted (26 signed by the governor and three enacted without signature). He highlighted two measures of interest: House Bill 5629 (reducing occupational‑licensing barriers for service members, veterans and military spouses) and Senate Bill 1271 (creating a process for shared jurisdiction over certain federal military installations).

Ortiz also described the Texas Comptroller’s emergency rules that redesignated the HUB program as a "vet hub," narrowing eligibility to small businesses owned and operated by service‑disabled veterans with at least a 20% service‑connected disability. He warned that the change (effective 12/02/2025 through 04/01/2026) will prioritize qualifying firms for certification and contracting but may limit access for veteran businesses that don’t meet the new disability threshold.

Committee members asked follow‑up questions about legal services and how to engage the attorney general’s office; Ortiz offered to research specific statutory remedies and to pass contact information along through staff.

The update was informational; commissioners were invited to submit priorities for the city’s state and federal legislative agendas.