Monitoring the Session

SB 897

Blanco Veterans Grant Bill Cuts Match To 50 Percent, Maybe

Became law, effective Sep 1, 2025

Verdict: Smells

SmellsNeeds review
Sen. César BlancoDSenate 29
Why it's charged
The hole

THE TEXT

…“the commission may, but is not required to, implement those changes in law using other money available to the commission for that purpose”

Bill text, introduced version (I)

The lower match for large counties is the whole point of the bill. It becomes optional unless the legislature puts in more money than the last budget did, so the main change may never take effect.

The hole

Needs review · 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 the administration of a grant program to support community mental health programs assisting veterans and their families.

Caption from analyzed text · version I.

Summary

Only if lawmakers top the 2024-2025 budget. Otherwise the commission “may, but is not required to”.

The bill lowers the local matching money that community mental health programs for veterans and their families must raise to get a state grant. Programs serving counties of 250,000 or more people would need to match 50 percent of the grant instead of 100 percent, so they face the same rule as counties of 100,000 or more. The state agency must make this change only if lawmakers give it more money than it had in the 2024-2025 budget; otherwise the agency may choose not to.

Labels

Labels: DO-OVER. Reworked text of a bill filed before that died: 88R HB 4923 by Rep. Ray Lopez (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.

Receipt

The receipt

89R-SB897 · 2025-01-24

SOLD BY

Sen. César BlancoDSenate 29

+ 1 coauthor

ITEM

relating to the administration of a grant program to support community mental health programs assisting veterans and their families.

WHAT IT DOES

Only if lawmakers top the 2024-2025 budget. Otherwise the commission “may, but is not required to”.

The bill lowers the local matching money that community mental health programs for veterans and their families must raise to get a state grant. Programs serving counties of 250,000 or more people would need to match 50 percent of the grant instead of 100 percent, so they face the same rule as counties of 100,000 or more. The state agency must make this change only if lawmakers give it more money than it had in the 2024-2025 budget; otherwise the agency may choose not to.

CHARGES

[x] THE HOLEanalysis confidence 45%

THE TEXT

…“the commission may, but is not required to, implement those changes in law using other money available to the commission for that purpose”

Bill text, introduced version (I)

The lower match for large counties is the whole point of the bill. It becomes optional unless the legislature puts in more money than the last budget did, so the main change may never take effect.

TOTAL

No first-year general revenue figure available here.

LBB estimate · fiscal note version S · source

Sources

Fiscal note · version S · April 1, 2025

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated. The Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) is required to implement a provision of the bill only if the Legislature appropriates money specifically for that purpose and in an amount greater than the amount appropriated to HHSC. If the Legislature does not appropriate money specifically for that purpose and in such amount, HHSC may, but is not required to, implement a provision of the bill using other appropriations available for that purpose.

LBB published estimates · flow over the stated periods.

Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

HISTORY

  1. Received by the Secretary of the Senate
  2. Filed
  3. Read first time
  4. Referred to Vet Affairs
  5. Scheduled for public hearing on . . .
  6. Considered in public hearing
  7. Testimony taken in committee
  8. Left pending in committee
  9. Considered in public hearing
  10. Vote taken in committee
  11. Reported favorably as substituted
  12. Recommended for local & uncontested calendar
  13. Committee report printed and distributed
  14. Placed on intent calendar
  15. Co-author authorized
  16. Not again placed on intent calendar
  17. Placed on local & uncontested calendar
  18. Laid before the Senate
  19. Read 2nd time & passed to engrossment
  20. Vote recorded in Journal
  21. Three day rule suspended
  22. Record vote
  23. Read 3rd time
  24. Passed
  25. Record vote
  26. Reported engrossed
  27. Received from the Senate
  28. Read first time
  29. Referred to s/c on Defense & Veterans' Affairs by Speaker
  30. Recalled from subcommittee
  31. Considered in formal meeting
  32. Reported favorably w/o amendment(s)
  33. Comte report filed with Committee Coordinator
  34. Committee report distributed
  35. Committee report sent to Calendars
  36. Laid out in lieu of companion HB 1819
  37. Read 2nd time
  38. Passed to 3rd reading
  39. Record vote RV#830
  40. Read 3rd time
  41. Passed
  42. Record vote RV#945
  43. Statement(s) of vote recorded in Journal
  44. House passage reported
  45. Reported enrolled
  46. Signed in the Senate
  47. Signed in the House
  48. Sent to the Governor
  49. Signed by the Governor
  50. Effective on 9/1/25
FILED UNDER

No verified beat found.

SIGNED FOR BY

House · 142 yea · 0 nay

Senate · 30 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 · Apr 10, 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

César Blanco

Donors

Agave Democratic Infrastructure Fund$26KTexas Trial Lawyers Association PAC$25KBorder Health PAC$25K

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 · Jul 10, 2024 to Jun 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.

Agave Democratic Infrastructure Fund$25,750.00

Agave Democratic Infrastructure Fund

$25,750.00

Cash
$25,000.00
Paid by others
$750.00
Total
$25,750.00
consulting $750.00

Also funds 5 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Nov 22, 2024 to Oct 12, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

TEC account match.

Sources

Derived itemized flow · Nov 25, 2024 to Dec 13, 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: 100989095.

Texas Trial Lawyers Association PAC$25,000.00

Texas Trial Lawyers Association PAC

$25,000.00

Cash
$25,000.00
Paid by others
$0.00
Total
$25,000.00

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 · Oct 3, 2024 to Jan 26, 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: 100989095, 101009709, 101033590, 101060872.

Border Health PAC$25,000.00

Border Health PAC

$25,000.00

Cash
$25,000.00
Paid by others
$0.00
Total
$25,000.00

Also funds 17 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Oct 28, 2024 to Aug 26, 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: 100989095.

Money

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

×

Agave Democratic Infrastructure Fund

$25,750.00

Cash
$25,000.00
Paid by others
$750.00
Total
$25,750.00
consulting $750.00

Also funds 5 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Nov 22, 2024 to Oct 12, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

TEC account match.

Sources

Derived itemized flow · Nov 25, 2024 to Dec 13, 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: 100989095.

×

Texas Trial Lawyers Association PAC

$25,000.00

Cash
$25,000.00
Paid by others
$0.00
Total
$25,000.00

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 · Oct 3, 2024 to Jan 26, 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: 100989095, 101009709, 101033590, 101060872.

×

Border Health PAC

$25,000.00

Cash
$25,000.00
Paid by others
$0.00
Total
$25,000.00

Also funds 17 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Oct 28, 2024 to Aug 26, 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: 100989095.

Votes5

House Apr 30, 2025

Yea
142
Nay
0
Present, not voting
2
Absent
1
Excused
5
Names

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

House journal

Sources

Record 945

SB 897 was passed by (Record 945): 142 Yeas, 0 Nays, 2 Present, not voting.

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

  • Yea: 142 (published)
  • Nay: 0 (published)
  • Present, not voting: 2 (published)
  • Absent: 1 (derived from named list)
  • Excused: 5 (derived from named list)

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

House Apr 29, 2025

Yea
146
Nay
0
Present, not voting
2
Absent
0
Excused
2
Names

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

House journal

Sources

Record 830

SB 897 was passed to third reading by (Record 830): 146 Yeas, 0 Nays, 2 Present, not voting.

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

  • Yea: 146 (published)
  • Nay: 0 (published)
  • Present, not voting: 2 (published)
  • Absent: 0 (derived from named list)
  • Excused: 2 (derived from named list)

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

Senate Apr 10, 2025

Final passage

Yea
30
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.

The journal row lists three votes in order: passage to engrossment, suspension of the three-day rule, and final passage. This entry records final passage. Repeated tallies belong to separate votes.

Sources

CSSB 897 (Blanco) Relating to the administration of a grant program to support community mental health programs assisting veterans and their families. (viva voce vote) (30-0) (30-0)

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

  • Yea: 30 (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 Apr 10, 2025

Suspension of the three-day rule

Yea
30
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.

The journal row lists three votes in order: passage to engrossment, suspension of the three-day rule, and final passage. This entry records suspension of the three-day rule. Repeated tallies belong to separate votes.

Sources

CSSB 897 (Blanco) Relating to the administration of a grant program to support community mental health programs assisting veterans and their families. (viva voce vote) (30-0) (30-0)

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

  • Yea: 30 (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 Apr 10, 2025

Passage to engrossment

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.

The journal row lists three votes in order: passage to engrossment, suspension of the three-day rule, and final passage. This entry records passage to engrossment. Repeated tallies belong to separate votes.

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

Sources

CSSB 897 (Blanco) Relating to the administration of a grant program to support community mental health programs assisting veterans and their families. (viva voce vote) (30-0) (30-0)

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.

Witnesses19
For
18
Against
0
On
1
Names

For

  • Bexar County Commissioners Court1 registration
  • City of Corpus Christi1 registration
  • Conference of Urban Counties1 registration
  • Dallas County1 registration
  • El Paso County1 registration
  • Emergence Health Network, Local Mental Health Authority1 registration
  • Endeavors1 registration
  • Metrocare1 registration
  • NAMI Texas1 registration
  • National Association of Social Workers- Texas Chapter1 registration
  • Self; Houston Police Officers’ Union1 registration
  • Self; VFW Dept of Texas1 registration
  • Tarrant County Administrator's Office1 registration
  • Texas Association of Goodwills1 registration
  • Texas Coalition of Veterans Organizations1 registration
  • Texas Council of Community Centers1 registration
  • The American Legion, Dept of Texas1 registration
  • Travis County Commissioners Court1 registration

On

  • Health and human services1 registration
Sources

19 parsed registrations across the loaded witness lists.

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

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

Fiscal

No first-year general revenue figure available here.

LBB estimate · fiscal note version S · source

Sources

Fiscal note · version S · April 1, 2025

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated. The Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) is required to implement a provision of the bill only if the Legislature appropriates money specifically for that purpose and in an amount greater than the amount appropriated to HHSC. If the Legislature does not appropriate money specifically for that purpose and in such amount, HHSC may, but is not required to, implement a provision of the bill using other appropriations available for that purpose.

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 4923

by Rep. Ray Lopez, different lead author · Died in committee · reworked

Introduced text

Last action, May 11, 2023: Referred to Vet Affairs

Relating to the administration of a grant program to support community mental health programs for veterans and their families.

Caption, 88R bill history

Sources

Texas Senate · Filed Jan 24, 2025

05/15/2025 E Effective on 9/1/25

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

Data snapshot Nov 1, 2026 at 2:05 PM CST. Grades, charges, quotes and corrections follow the published record.

Coauthors
Sarah EckhardtDSenate 14
Sponsors
Ray LopezDHouse 125

House committee · Homeland Security, Public Safety & Veterans' Affairs · Committee vote 8 aye, 0 nay, 3 absent · Out of committee

Senate committee · Veteran Affairs · Committee vote 5 aye, 0 nay, 2 absent · Out of committee

Companion

HB 1819 by Lopez, Ray (identical)

Subjects

County Government--General

Mental Health & Substance Abuse

Military & Veterans

HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES COMMISSION

Text

The text as introduced · 556 words

89R6232 MPF-D

By: Blanco
S.B. No. 897

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the administration of a grant program to support

community mental health programs assisting veterans and their

families.

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

SECTION 1. Sections 547.0304 and 547.0305, Government Code,

as effective April 1, 2025, are amended to read as follows:

Sec. 547.0304. MATCHING GRANT CONDITIONS: SINGLE COUNTIES.

For services and treatment provided in a single county, the

commission shall condition each grant provided under this

subchapter on a potential grant recipient providing funds from

non-state sources in a total amount at least equal to:

(1) 25 percent of the grant amount if the community

mental health program to be supported by the grant provides

services and treatment in a county with a population of less than

100,000; or

(2) 50 percent of the grant amount if the community

mental health program to be supported by the grant provides

services and treatment in a county with a population of 100,000 or

more [ but less than 250,000; or

[ (3) 100 percent of the grant amount if the community

mental health program to be supported by the grant provides

services and treatment in a county with a population of 250,000 or

more ].

Sec. 547.0305. MATCHING GRANT CONDITIONS: MULTIPLE

COUNTIES. For a community mental health program that provides

services and treatment in more than one county, the commission

shall condition each grant provided under this subchapter on a

potential grant recipient providing funds from non-state sources in

a total amount at least equal to:

(1) 25 percent of the grant amount if the county with

the largest population in which the community mental health program

to be supported by the grant provides services and treatment has a

population of less than 100,000; or

(2) 50 percent of the grant amount if the county with

the largest population in which the community mental health program

to be supported by the grant provides services and treatment has a

population of 100,000 or more [ but less than 250,000; or

[ (3) 100 percent of the grant amount if the county with

the largest population in which the community mental health program

to be supported by the grant provides services and treatment has a

population of 250,000 or more ].

SECTION 2. The changes in law made by this Act apply only to

a grant awarded on or after the effective date of this Act. A grant

awarded before the effective date of this Act is governed by the law

in effect on the date the award was made, and the former law is

continued in effect for that purpose.

SECTION 3. The Health and Human Services Commission is

required to implement the changes in law made by this Act to

Sections 547.0304 and 547.0305, Government Code, only if the

legislature appropriates money specifically for that purpose in an

amount greater than the amount appropriated to the commission for

that purpose for the state fiscal biennium ending August 31, 2025.

If the legislature does not appropriate money specifically for that

purpose and in such amount, the commission may, but is not required

to, implement those changes in law using other money available to

the commission for that purpose.

SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.