In 2009, the Texas Legislature passed Senate Bill 112 as part of Senate Bill 1940 authorizing counties to establish courts for military veterans at their own discretion, according to a report by the Texas Indigent Defense Commission.

Williamson County is home to approximately 38,000–40,000 veterans, said Donna Harrell, Williamson County Veterans Services director.

The Williamson County Commissioners Court discussed the feasibility of instituting a veterans court and the impact separate proceedings could have on other courts during its Oct. 9 meeting.

Funding was discussed at the meeting.

The court tasked the subcommittee to examine other services for veteran offenders outside of a court, which could include training county judicial officials on veterans cases or diversionary options such as peer-to-peer counseling.

As it moves forward, the subcommittee will visit other county veterans courts and gather information on how a court in Williamson County could operate. Its research will include examining what type of cases the court would prosecute and what type of services would be offered to veterans found guilty of crimes.

If the subcommittee decides a court is not feasible, it could recommend other programs be added to the county veterans services.

No timeline has been set for the subcommittee's research, and County Commissioner Lisa Birkman estimated it could take six months or more to gather information and form a recommendation.