MINUTES SENATE COMMITTEE ON VETERAN AFFAIRS AND MILITARY INSTALLATIONS Monday, March 8, 1999 11:00 am Lt. Gov. Cmte. Rm. ***** Pursuant to a notice posted in accordance with Senate Rule 11.11, a public hearing of the Senate Committee on Veteran Affairs & Military Installations was held on Monday, March 8, 1999 in the Lt. Gov. Cmte. Rm., at Austin, Texas. ***** MEMBERS PRESENT: MEMBERS ABSENT: Senator Carlos F. Truan None Senator Gregory Luna Senator Troy Fraser Senator Steve Ogden Senator Eliot Shapleigh ***** Vice-Chairman Luna called the meeting to order at 11:10 a.m. Vice-Chairman Luna turned the gavel to Senator Shapleigh to preside at the hearing at this time. Senator Shapleigh laid out SB 525, relating to compensation and benefits for members of the state military forces and their dependents, and recognized its sponsor, Senator Luna. The purpose of the bill was explained. The first resource witness to be recognized was Mr. Hugh D. Shine, of the Texas National Guard, Temple Texas. Mr. Shine presented to the Committee, Sgt. Steven McGuire, of the National Guard, who while on duty was blinded in an accident during the floods in Del Rio, Texas. Senator Shapleigh recognized Mr. John Stanford from the Adjutant General's Dept., and Mr. Bill McLemore, Texas Association of Veteran County Service, to testify on compensation and benefits under this bill. Mr. Robert L. Halverson, Commander of the 49th Armored Division and Brigadier General Wayne Marty, Texas National Guard, were recognized as resource witnesses. Senator Ogden was recognized for questions. Senator Shapleigh recognized Mr. John Braun, National Guard Association of Texas, to testify. Senator Fraser was recognized for questions. It was noted by Senator Luna that further information will be needed and Amendments will need to be made to this bill. There being no further testimony, Senator Shapleigh closed the hearing on SB 525 and at the request of the sponsor, SB 525 was left pending in Committee. Senator Shapleigh turned the gavel back to Chairman Truan to preside at the hearing. Chairman Truan laid out SB 526, relating to providing tuition payment assistance to certain members of the state military forces attending public institutions of higher education, and recognized it sponsor, Senator Luna. Chairman Truan recognized that a Quorum was present and the Clerk called the Roll. The Chair recognized Mr. Jim Bisson, Texas Adjutant General's Office, as a resource witness on SB 526. Senators Luna and Ogden were recognized for questions. The Chair recognized Mr. Lee Shamblee, Texas Army National Guard, as a resource witness. Mr. O. M. Little was recognized by Chairman Truan as a witness against the bill. Senators Luna and Ogden were recognized for questions. The Chair recognized Mr. John Braun, National Guard Association of Texas, and Mr. Bob Halverson, to testify as resource witnesses. There being no further testimony or objections for or against this bill, the hearing on SB 526 was closed. Senator Luna moved that the bill be left pending before the full committee. There being no objections, it was so ordered by the Chair. There being no further business to transact, Senator Luna moved that the Committee stand recessed at 12:35 p.m. subject to call of the Chair. There being no objections, the motion passed. _______________________________________ Senator Carlos F. Truan, Chairman ________________________________________ Emma Dibbles, Committee Clerk Attachments