Monitoring the Session

HB 1965

Garcia Veterans Bill Orders A Report Due December 1, 2026

Became law

Verdict: Smells

SmellsReviewed
Rep. Josey GarciaDHouse 124
Why it's charged
Study, task force, commission, report

THE TEXT

“Not later than December 1, 2026, the commission shall prepare and submit a report to the legislature containing the findings of the study and any recommendations for legislative or other action.”

Bill text, introduced version (I)

The bill's only duty is a study and a report due after the next election, so any expansion of services waits for a future legislature. The caption honestly says it is a study.

Study, task force, commission, report

Reviewed · Nov 1, 2026 · Headline, summary and grade are analysis of the bill text, not a finding about any person · How we grade

Caption

relating to a study on mental health services provided to veterans through the Texas Veterans Commission.

Caption from analyzed text · version I.

Summary

Ideas for more rural peer coordinators. Services change only if a later bill acts.

The bill orders the Texas Veterans Commission, working with the Health and Human Services Commission, to study how to improve and expand mental health services in its Military Veteran Peer Network. The study must focus on rural communities and recommend ways to add more certified peer service coordinators for service members, veterans and their families. A report is due to the legislature by December 1, 2026, the law expires September 1, 2027, and no services change unless a later bill acts on the report.

Labels

Labels: INSTANT LAW. Took effect immediately, on Jun 20, 2025. 833 of the 1,185 graded 89R laws took effect Sep 1, 2025 (derived from the bill histories, snapshot Oct 19, 2026).BACK FROM THE DEAD. Same text as a bill filed before that died: 88R HB 4972 (Died in committee). Filed in 2 sessions, counting this one. Checked against 88R only.TRY NO. 2. Filed in 2 sessions: 88R and 89R. Checked against 88R only.ACROSS THE AISLE. Joint authors: 2 Republicans, 2 Democrats. Party as the Legislative Reference Library lists it for the 89th Legislature.

Receipt

The receipt

89R-HB1965 · 2025-01-22

SOLD BY

Rep. Josey GarciaDHouse 124 Rep. Mark DorazioRHouse 122 Rep. Janie LopezRHouse 37

+ 1 more author, 4 coauthors

ITEM

relating to a study on mental health services provided to veterans through the Texas Veterans Commission.

WHAT IT DOES

Ideas for more rural peer coordinators. Services change only if a later bill acts.

The bill orders the Texas Veterans Commission, working with the Health and Human Services Commission, to study how to improve and expand mental health services in its Military Veteran Peer Network. The study must focus on rural communities and recommend ways to add more certified peer service coordinators for service members, veterans and their families. A report is due to the legislature by December 1, 2026, the law expires September 1, 2027, and no services change unless a later bill acts on the report.

CHARGES

[x] STUDY, TASK FORCE, COMMISSION, REPORTanalysis confidence 90%

THE TEXT

“Not later than December 1, 2026, the commission shall prepare and submit a report to the legislature containing the findings of the study and any recommendations for legislative or other action.”

Bill text, introduced version (I)

The bill's only duty is a study and a report due after the next election, so any expansion of services waits for a future legislature. The caption honestly says it is a study.

TOTAL

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

LBB estimate · fiscal note version E · source

Sources

Fiscal note · version E · May 13, 2025

No first-year general revenue figure available here.

LBB published estimates · flow over the stated periods.

Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

HISTORY

  1. Filed
  2. Read first time
  3. Referred to s/c on Defense & Veterans' Affairs by Speaker
  4. Scheduled for public hearing in s/c on . . .
  5. Considered by s/c in public hearing
  6. Testimony taken/registration(s) recorded in subcommittee
  7. Left pending in subcommittee
  8. Recalled from subcommittee
  9. Considered in formal meeting
  10. Reported favorably w/o amendment(s)
  11. Comte report filed with Committee Coordinator
  12. Committee report distributed
  13. Committee report sent to Calendars
  14. Considered in Calendars
  15. Placed on General State Calendar
  16. Read 2nd time
  17. Amended 1-J. Garcia
  18. Passed to engrossment as amended
  19. Record vote RV#863
  20. Statement(s) of vote recorded in Journal
  21. Read 3rd time
  22. Passed
  23. Record vote RV#1010
  24. Statement(s) of vote recorded in Journal
  25. Reported engrossed
  26. Received from the House
  27. Read first time
  28. Referred to Vet Affairs
  29. Scheduled for public hearing on . . .
  30. Considered in public hearing
  31. Testimony taken in committee
  32. Left pending in committee
  33. Considered in public hearing
  34. Vote taken in committee
  35. Reported favorably w/o amendments
  36. Recommended for local & uncontested calendar
  37. Committee report printed and distributed
  38. Placed on intent calendar
  39. Rules suspended-Regular order of business
  40. Read 2nd time & passed to 3rd reading
  41. Vote recorded in Journal
  42. Three day rule suspended
  43. Record vote
  44. Read 3rd time
  45. Passed
  46. Record vote
  47. Senate passage reported
  48. Reported enrolled
  49. Signed in the House
  50. Signed in the Senate
  51. Sent to the Governor
  52. Signed by the Governor
  53. Effective immediately
FILED UNDER

No verified beat found.

SIGNED FOR BY

House · 128 yea · 8 nay

Senate · 31 yea · 0 nay

Sources

House: Final passage · Apr 30, 2025. Journal. Published stock for this vote. Snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

Senate: Final passage · May 21, 2025. Journal. Published stock for this vote. Snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

All floor motions and other positions below.

Smells

THANK YOU FOR CHECKING THE RECEIPT

CAMPAIGN PAID FOR BY

CAMPAIGN PAID FOR BY

Josey Garcia

Donors

Texas Trial Lawyers Association PAC$12KTexans for Lawsuit Reform PAC$10KHouse Democratic Campaign Committee$7K

Not tied to this bill.

Sources

The author's campaign account only. Own money and internal transfers are separate on the member page.

Derived itemized flow · Oct 27, 2024 to Oct 22, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.

Texas Trial Lawyers Association PAC$11,500.00

Texas Trial Lawyers Association PAC

$11,500.00

Cash
$11,500.00
Paid by others
$0.00
Total
$11,500.00

Also funds 137 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Jul 24, 2024 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

TEC account match.

Team
Sources

Derived itemized flow · Dec 5, 2024 to Sep 24, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.

Report IDs: 100978474, 101016612, 101060352, 101067943.

Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC$10,000.00

Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC

$10,000.00

Cash
$10,000.00
Paid by others
$0.00
Total
$10,000.00

Also funds 124 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Jul 10, 2024 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

TEC account match.

Team
Sources

Derived itemized flow · on Dec 14, 2024. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.

Report IDs: 100978474.

House Democratic Campaign Committee$7,000.00

House Democratic Campaign Committee

$7,000.00

Cash
$7,000.00
Paid by others
$0.00
Total
$7,000.00

Also funds 9 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Feb 3, 2026 to Sep 21, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

TEC account match.

Team
Sources

Derived itemized flow · on Apr 30, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.

Report IDs: 101060352.

Money

Missing data does not establish zero giving. Display amounts are rounded.

×

Texas Trial Lawyers Association PAC

$11,500.00

Cash
$11,500.00
Paid by others
$0.00
Total
$11,500.00

Also funds 137 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Jul 24, 2024 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

TEC account match.

Team
Sources

Derived itemized flow · Dec 5, 2024 to Sep 24, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.

Report IDs: 100978474, 101016612, 101060352, 101067943.

×

Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC

$10,000.00

Cash
$10,000.00
Paid by others
$0.00
Total
$10,000.00

Also funds 124 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Jul 10, 2024 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

TEC account match.

Team
Sources

Derived itemized flow · on Dec 14, 2024. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.

Report IDs: 100978474.

×

House Democratic Campaign Committee

$7,000.00

Cash
$7,000.00
Paid by others
$0.00
Total
$7,000.00

Also funds 9 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Feb 3, 2026 to Sep 21, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

TEC account match.

Team
Sources

Derived itemized flow · on Apr 30, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.

Report IDs: 101060352.

Votes5

Senate May 21, 2025

Yea
31
Nay
0
Present, not voting
Not printed
Absent
Not printed
Excused
Not printed
Names

Senate journal

Names were not printed. No individual positions are inferred.

Sources

Senator Menéndez moved that Senate Rule 7.18 and the Constitutional Rule requiring bills to be read on three several days be suspended and that HB 1965 be placed on its third reading and final passage. The motion prevailed by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0. The bill was read third time and was passed by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0.

Published stock of positions for this vote, except where marked derived.

  • Yea: 31 (published)
  • Nay: 0 (published)
  • Present, not voting: Not printed
  • Absent: Not printed
  • Excused: Not printed

Senate journal. Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

Senate May 21, 2025

Yea
31
Nay
0
Present, not voting
Not printed
Absent
Not printed
Excused
Not printed
Names

Senate journal

Names were not printed. No individual positions are inferred.

Sources

Senator Menéndez moved that Senate Rule 7.18 and the Constitutional Rule requiring bills to be read on three several days be suspended and that HB 1965 be placed on its third reading and final passage. The motion prevailed by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0.

Published stock of positions for this vote, except where marked derived.

  • Yea: 31 (published)
  • Nay: 0 (published)
  • Present, not voting: Not printed
  • Absent: Not printed
  • Excused: Not printed

Senate journal. Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

Senate May 21, 2025

Yea
Not printed
Nay
Not printed
Present, not voting
Not printed
Absent
Not printed
Excused
Not printed
Names

Senate journal

Names were not printed. No individual positions are inferred.

Voice vote. No numeric tally or individual yeas are inferred.

Sources

The bill was read second time and was passed to third reading by a viva voce vote.

Published stock of positions for this vote, except where marked derived.

  • Yea: Not printed
  • Nay: Not printed
  • Present, not voting: Not printed
  • Absent: Not printed
  • Excused: Not printed

Senate journal. Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

House Apr 30, 2025

Yea
128
Nay
8
Present, not voting
1
Absent
8
Excused
5
Names

Named positions matched to lawmakers. See the journal for unmatched names.

House journal

Sources

Record 1010

HB 1965 was passed by (Record 1010): 128 Yeas, 8 Nays, 1 Present, not voting.

Published stock of positions for this vote, except where marked derived.

  • Yea: 128 (published)
  • Nay: 8 (published)
  • Present, not voting: 1 (published)
  • Absent: 8 (derived from named list)
  • Excused: 5 (derived from named list)

House journal. Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

House Apr 29, 2025

Yea
137
Nay
11
Present, not voting
1
Absent
1
Excused
0
Names

Named positions matched to lawmakers. See the journal for unmatched names.

House journal

Sources

Record 863

HB 1965, as amended, was passed to engrossment by (Record 863): 137 Yeas, 11 Nays, 1 Present, not voting.

Published stock of positions for this vote, except where marked derived.

  • Yea: 137 (published)
  • Nay: 11 (published)
  • Present, not voting: 1 (published)
  • Absent: 1 (derived from named list)
  • Excused: 0 (derived from named list)

House journal. Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

Witnesses24
For
22
Against
0
On
2
Names

For

  • AARP Texas1 registration
  • El Paso County1 registration
  • Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce1 registration
  • Methodist Healthcare Ministries2 registrations
  • NAMI Texas1 registration
  • Self4 registrations
  • Self; El Paso County1 registration
  • Self; Houston Police Officers’ Union1 registration
  • Self; VFW Dept of Texas2 registrations
  • Texas Association of Goodwills1 registration
  • Texas Council of Chapters of MOAA AND TCVO1 registration
  • Texas Council of Community Centers1 registration
  • Texas Medical Association1 registration
  • The American Legion, Dept of Texas1 registration
  • The National Association of Social Workers- Texas Chapter1 registration
  • TMPA1 registration
  • Urban Leagues of Texas1 registration

On

  • Texas Veterans Commission1 registration
  • TVC1 registration
Sources

24 parsed registrations across the loaded witness lists.

Derived stock of witness registrations. Repeated appearances count separately. Organizations and self-representation appear as printed.

House witness list. Source snapshot 2026-10-20, Central time.

Senate witness list. Source snapshot 2026-10-20, Central time.

Fiscal

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

LBB estimate · fiscal note version E · source

Sources

Fiscal note · version E · May 13, 2025

No first-year general revenue figure available here.

LBB published estimates · flow over the stated periods.

Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

How this was graded

Analysis of text version I by claude-opus-5-5, Oct 20, 2026, against the published rubric.

FILED BEFORE

Filed 2 times: 88R and 89R. Checked against 88R only.

88R HB 4972

by Rep. Garcia, same lead author · Died in committee · same text

Introduced text

Last action, May 4, 2023: Referred to Vet Affairs

Relating to a study on mental health services provided to veterans through the Texas Veterans Commission.

Caption, 88R bill history

Sources

Texas House · Filed Jan 22, 2025

06/20/2025 E Effective immediately

Texas Legislature Online · Introduced · House Committee Report · Engrossed · Senate Committee Report · Enrolled

Data snapshot Nov 1, 2026 at 1:43 PM CST. Grades, charges, quotes and corrections follow the published record.

Coauthors
Lulu FloresDHouse 51 Ryan GuillenRHouse 31 Penny Morales ShawDHouse 148 Mihaela PlesaDHouse 70
Sponsors
José MenéndezDSenate 26

House committee · Homeland Security, Public Safety & Veterans' Affairs · Committee vote 10 aye, 0 nay, 1 absent · Out of committee

Senate committee · Veteran Affairs · Committee vote 6 aye, 0 nay, 1 absent · Out of committee

Subjects

Interim Studies

Mental Health & Substance Abuse

Military & Veterans

HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES COMMISSION

VETERANS COMMISSION, TEXAS

Text

The text as introduced · 234 words

89R7654 RAL-D

By: Garcia of Bexar
H.B. No. 1965

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to a study on mental health services provided to veterans

through the Texas Veterans Commission.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. (a) In this section, the "commission" means the

Texas Veterans Commission.

(b) The commission, in collaboration with the Health and

Human Services Commission, shall conduct a study to evaluate

strategies to improve and expand mental health services provided

through the commission's Military Veteran Peer Network. The study

must include recommendations on expanding the number of certified

peer service coordinators who provide mental health services to

service members, veterans, and family members of service members or

veterans.

(c) The study required by this section must focus on the

provision of certified peer service coordinators in rural

communities in this state.

(d) Not later than December 1, 2026, the commission shall

prepare and submit a report to the legislature containing the

findings of the study and any recommendations for legislative or

other action.

SECTION 2. This Act expires September 1, 2027.

SECTION 3. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives

a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as

provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this

Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this

Act takes effect September 1, 2025.