SB1814

Regular Session

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.

LowStandard timeline

Low Cost

Effective:2025-09-01

Enforcing Agencies

Texas Veterans Commission

Compliance Analysis

Key implementation requirements and action items for compliance with this legislation

Implementation Timeline

Effective Date: September 1, 2025
Compliance Deadline: Q3/Q4 2026 (Projected). While the law is effective in 2025, the Fiscal Note indicates significant IT development funding ($3.1M) begins in FY2026. Access will not be technically possible until the portal is built.
Agency Rulemaking: The TVC must adopt rules establishing application procedures and access protocols. Expect the comment period to open in late 2025, defining which non-profits qualify as "local veteran service organizations."

Immediate Action Plan

VSOs: Audit your Cyber Liability Insurance policy immediately to ensure coverage for state-owned data.
Private Sector: Identify and formalize partnerships with local VSOs now; do not wait for the database to go live.
Legal Counsel: Monitor the *Texas Register* starting September 2025 for the TVC's proposed definition of eligible organizations.
IT/Security: If you are an eligible entity, prepare to implement multi-factor authentication (MFA), as this will likely be a prerequisite for portal access.

Operational Changes Required

Contracts

For VSOs: You must sign a Data Use Agreement (DUA) with the TVC. Legal counsel must review indemnification clauses, as state agencies rarely indemnify users against data breaches.
For Private Sector: You must execute Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) with eligible VSOs. These contracts should structure a "pass-through" marketing model (where the VSO sends your content to the veteran) rather than a data-transfer model, to avoid violating state privacy restrictions.

Hiring/Training

Designated Access Personnel: VSOs must appoint specific staff members for credentialing. Shared logins will violate state cybersecurity standards.
Data Privacy Training: Staff accessing the portal require training on handling Personally Identifiable Information (PII). A breach of this state database carries significant liability.

Reporting & Record-Keeping

Access Logs: VSOs must maintain internal audit trails documenting which records were accessed and the specific "benefit or resource" purpose for each access.
Application for Access: Eligible entities must file a formal application with the TVC proving 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(19) status and operational scope.

Fees & Costs

Cyber Liability Insurance: VSOs accessing this database should increase coverage limits for "third-party data breaches" and "regulatory fines."
No Statutory Fee: The bill does not currently impose a fee for accessing the database, though the TVC may address administrative costs in rulemaking.

Strategic Ambiguities & Considerations

1. Definition of "Local Veteran Service Organization"

The statute does not define this term. If the TVC adopts a narrow definition (e.g., only Congressionally Chartered organizations like the VFW), smaller 501(c)(3) workforce or housing non-profits may be locked out. We must advocate for a broad definition during the rulemaking comment period.

2. Data Re-Disclosure & Third-Party Use

The law is silent on whether a VSO can share data with third-party partners (e.g., a staffing firm). It is highly probable that TVC rules will prohibit transferring the raw list to private entities. Businesses must prepare for a workflow where the VSO retains the data and acts as the communication conduit.

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Legislative Timeline

This bill's path through the Texas Legislature

TopicsElectronic Information Systems Military & Veterans Veterans Commission, Texas

Official Analysis

View HRO Analysis View All Bill Documents

BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	S.B. 1814
89R8373 GP-D	By: Hancock
	Veteran Affairs
	3/14/2025
	As Filed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

Approximately 1.5 million veterans live in Texas, and most are unaware of the Texas Veterans Commission (TVC) services.

In 2022, the Senate Committee on Veteran Affairs was tasked with an interim charge to study ways to connect veterans with existing business resources and available state services. The committee's findings led them to recommend the legislature explore the creation of an interagency database within the state's veteran agency to collect contact information of veterans exiting military service.

The service database would act as a casework management system where the agency can track who is reaching out to the individual, where they are located in Texas, and what services they are seeking. This would also allow for TVC to proactively reach out to veterans as they move through the process of transitioning to civilian life, provided the veteran chooses to share their contact information.

As proposed, S.B. 1814 amends current law 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.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

Rulemaking authority is expressly granted to the Texas Veterans Commission in SECTION 1 (Section 434.0261, Government Code) of this bill.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Subchapter A, Chapter 434, Government Code, by adding Section 434.0261, as follows:

Sec. 434.0261. ELECTRONIC DATABASE OF CONTACT INFORMATION FOR SERVICE MEMBERS LEAVING ACTIVE DUTY. (a) Requires the Texas Veterans Commission (TVC) to establish and maintain an electronic database that includes the name and contact information of each member of the United States armed forces who:

(1) has provided written consent to TVC to have the member's information included in the database; and

(2) will be discharged or released from active duty within 12 months of the date the member provides the consent described by Subdivision (1).

(b) Requires that the database established under Subsection (a) allow state agencies and local veteran service organizations, including veterans county service offices, that have applied to and been approved by TVC to access the database for the purpose of providing to members of the United States armed forces included in the database information regarding state and local benefits and resources available to veterans, including information regarding employment and training opportunities, housing, entrepreneurial and health care services, and veteran support groups.

(c) Requires TVC to adopt rules necessary to implement and administer this section, including rules establishing the procedure by which entities apply to and are approved by TVC to access the database established under Subsection (a).

SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2025.

Senate Authors

Sen. Kelly HancockRepublican · Primary Author

Coauthors (1)

Cesar Blanco (D)

House Sponsors

Rep. Cole HefnerRepublican · Primary Sponsor

Cosponsors (1)

Penny Morales Shaw (D)

Bill Text(with markup)

S.B. No. 1814

View bill text in multiple formats on Texas Legislature website

Fiscal NoteView Original

	AN ACT
	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.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
	SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 434, Government Code, is
	amended by adding Section 434.0261 to read as follows:
	Sec. 434.0261. ELECTRONIC DATABASE OF CONTACT INFORMATION
	FOR SERVICE MEMBERS LEAVING ACTIVE DUTY. (a) The commission shall
	establish and maintain an electronic database that includes the
	name and contact information of each member of the United States
	armed forces who:
	(1) has provided written consent to the commission to
	have the member's information included in the database; and
	(2) will be discharged or released from active duty
	within 12 months of the date the member provides the consent
	described by Subdivision (1).
	(b) The database established under Subsection (a) must
	allow state agencies and local veteran service organizations,
	including veterans county service offices, that have applied to and
	been approved by the commission to access the database for the
	purpose of providing to members of the United States armed forces
	included in the database information regarding state and local
	benefits and resources available to veterans, including
	information regarding employment and training opportunities,
	housing, entrepreneurial and health care services, and veteran
	support groups.
	(c) The commission shall adopt rules necessary to implement
	and administer this section, including rules establishing the
	procedure by which entities apply to and are approved by the
	commission to access the database established under Subsection (a).
	SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.

LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD
Austin, Texas

FISCAL NOTE, 89TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION


March 17, 2025

TO:	Honorable Kelly Hancock, Chair, Senate Committee on Veteran Affairs

FROM:	Jerry McGinty, Director, Legislative Budget Board

IN RE:	SB1814 by Hancock (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.), As Introduced

Estimated Two-year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Funds for SB1814, As Introduced: a negative impact of ($5,502,388) through the biennium ending August 31, 2027.

The bill would make no appropriation but could provide the legal basis for an appropriation of funds to implement the provisions of the bill.

General Revenue-Related Funds, Five- Year Impact:

Fiscal Year	Probable Net Positive/(Negative) Impact to General Revenue Related Funds
2026	($3,227,144)
2027	($2,275,244)
2028	($2,641,244)
2029	($1,072,144)
2030	($1,072,144)

All Funds, Five-Year Impact:

Fiscal Year	Probable (Cost) from General Revenue Fund 1	Change in Number of State Employees from FY 2025
2026	($3,227,144)	1.0
2027	($2,275,244)	1.0
2028	($2,641,244)	1.0
2029	($1,072,144)	1.0
2030	($1,072,144)	1.0

Fiscal Analysis

The bill would direct the Texas Veterans Commission (TVC) to establish a database containing contact information for certain veterans. Access to the database would be provided to state agencies and organizations for the purpose of providing these veterans with information regarding state and local benefits as well as other resources.

The TVC would be responsible for implementing and administering the database, including approving and managing access.

Methodology

This analysis assumes the provisions of the bill related to the operation and administration of the database would require 1.0 FTE (Database Administrator II) at $75,376 for the salary and $32,768 in benefits and other associated expenses in each fiscal year and an additional $4,000 in setup expenses in fiscal year 2026. Salary estimates, benefits, and other operating costs, excluding professional services for the database, for years 2026 through 2030 remain fixed.

Technology

The total annual cost to General Revenue for the implementation of the Veterans Support Services Platform & Portal were determined by the Department of Information Resources (DIR) in coordination with TVC.

Development and implementation costs for the database are estimated at $3,115,000 in FY 26 and $2,167,100 in FY 27.

The continuing technology costs for the database would include $2,533,100 in fiscal year 2028, and $964,000 in ongoing operational costs in fiscal year 2029 and fiscal year 2030.

Local Government Impact

The fiscal implications of the bill cannot be determined at this time.

Source Agencies:

403 Veterans Commission

LBB Staff:

JMc, KDw, LCO, JKe, NV

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Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about SB1814

What does Texas SB1814 do?

SB1814 mandates the Texas Veterans Commission (TVC) to create a centralized "opt-in" database of transitioning service members for outreach regarding employment, housing, and benefits. Crucially, the law restricts direct database access to state agencies, county offices, and "local veteran service organizations" (VSOs); private sector entities (recruiters, developers, healthcare) are statutorily excluded from direct access and must partner with eligible VSOs to leverage this pipeline. Implementation Timeline Effective Date: September 1, 2025 Compliance Deadline: Q3/Q4 2026 (Projected).

Who authored SB1814?

SB1814 was authored by Texas Senator Kelly Hancock during the Regular Session.

When was SB1814 signed into law?

SB1814 was signed into law by Governor Greg Abbott on June 20, 2025.

Which agencies enforce SB1814?

SB1814 is enforced by Texas Veterans Commission.

How urgent is compliance with SB1814?

The compliance urgency for SB1814 is rated as "low". Businesses and organizations should review the requirements and timeline to ensure timely compliance.

What is the cost impact of SB1814?

The cost impact of SB1814 is estimated as "low". This may vary based on industry and implementation requirements.

What topics does SB1814 address?

SB1814 addresses topics including electronic information systems, military & veterans and veterans commission, texas.

Legislative data provided by LegiScanLast updated: November 25, 2025

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