Leadership Travels to Capitol on Behalf of Texas Veterans Service Offices
Earlier this month, President Samuel Perez Jr. and Treasurer Victor E. Torres traveled to the Texas State Capitol in Austin to represent the Texas County Veterans Service Officers (TCVSO) Association and advocate for critical improvements to Senate Bill 651 (SB 651).
Concerns with SB 651: Protecting VSO Independence
During their meeting with the Office of Senator Royce West, President Perez and Treasurer Torres shared the Association’s primary concern with the current draft of SB 651—the inclusion of the phrase “or designee” in the CVSO reporting structure.
As written, this phrase could unintentionally allow counties to move Veterans Service Offices under unrelated departments, like public health or general administration, rather than maintaining their current direct reporting line to the Commissioners Court. Such a shift could compromise the autonomy, accountability, and effectiveness of CVSOs across Texas.
Our Solution: Responsible, Veteran-Focused Oversight
To preserve the integrity and operational strength of County Veterans Service Offices while still allowing administrative flexibility, the Association proposed several alternate phrases.
We’re proud to share that Senator West’s office agreed to adopt "Phrase 2", which would require CVSOs to:
“report directly to the commissioners court or a designated county executive official.”
This ensures that oversight remains with senior county leadership, preventing potential reassignment to unrelated departments while upholding our mission to serve Texas veterans with honor and purpose.
🏛️ Looking Ahead
We are proud of the collaboration with state leadership and will continue to monitor the progress of SB 651. Your support and feedback are vital as we work together to protect the role and independence of County Veterans Service Officers throughout Texas.
For questions or more information, feel free to contact:
📧 samuel.perez@co.hidalgo.tx.us
📧 victor.torres@co.hidalgo.tx.us
📞 (956) 318-2436
