The following words and terms, when used in this chapter, shall have the following meanings, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.
  (1) Accreditation--Recognition by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) of representatives, attorneys, and agents to represent claimants.
  (2) Accredited representative of the Texas Veterans Commission--A representative of the Texas Veterans Commission approved by the secretary for the preparation, presentation, and prosecution of claims under laws administered by the secretary.
  (3) Certificate of training--Documentation that an officer has met the requirements of §450.3 of this title (relating to General Provisions).
  (4) Commission--The Texas Veterans Commission which is a "Recognized Veterans Service Organization" by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs.
  (5) Credit hour--Unit of measuring credit earned for attending a classroom or virtual training courses provided by the commission or other commission approved training.
  (6) Initial training--Introductory training completed by newly appointed officers as defined in Chapter 450 of this title (relating to Certificate of Training).
  (7) Officer--Veterans County Service Officer or assistant veterans county service officer appointed by a county commissioners court.
  (8) Recognized Veterans Service Organization--An organization accredited by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs to represent claimants.
  (9) Recommendation-- the procedure by which the commission indicates to the secretary that it desires an officer to become an accredited representative of the Texas Veterans Commission and certifies that the officer meets the requirements of 38 C.F.R. § 14.629(a).
  (10) Representative--Person who has been recommended by a Recognized Veterans Service Organization and accredited by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs.
  (11) Secretary--The secretary of the United States Department of Veterans Affairs.
  (12) Training event -- Training or testing conducted by the commission.

Source Note: The provisions of this §451.1 adopted to be effective June 21, 1994, 19 TexReg 4426; amended to be effective June 3, 2018, 43 TexReg 3481; amended to be effective August 29, 2019, 44 TexReg 4514; amended to be effective August 31, 2023, 48 TexReg 4672