MINUTES
Wednesday, February 21, 2001
3:00 p.m.
Lt. Governor Committee Hearing Room, 2E.20
*****
Pursuant to a notice posted in accordance with Senate Rule
11.18, a public hearing of the Senate Veteran Affairs & Military
Installations Committee was held on Wednesday, February 21,
2001, in the Lt. Governor Committee Hearing Room, 2E.20, at
Austin, Texas.
*****
MEMBERS PRESENT: MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Carlos F. Truan None
Senator Eliot Shapleigh
Senator Troy Fraser
Senator Tom Haywood
Senator Leticia Van de Putte
*****
Chairman Truan called the meeting to order at 3:11 p.m. The
Committee Clerk called the roll, and there being a quorum
present, the following business was transacted:
Chairman Truan laid out SJR22 and SB 658, and recognized the
author, Senator Barrientos, to explain the bills. Senator
Shapleigh assumed the chair. Dan Wilson, representing Texas
Comptroller of Public Accounts, Property Tax Division, and Art
Cory, representing Travis County Appraisal District testified on
the bill. Chairman Truan resumed the chair. Bernie Little,
representing Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, testified on
the bill. Per Senator Barrientos' request, Senator Truan moved
that SJR22 and SB 658 be left pending; without objection, it was
so ordered.
Chairman Truan laid out SCR24, in observation of Veterans Day,
and recognized the author, Senator Nelson, to explain the bill.
Senator Truan moved that SCR24 be left pending to await a
quorum; without objection, it was so ordered. Upon arrival of a
quorum, Senator Fraser moved that SCR24 be reported back to the
Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.
The motion carried with a record vote of 5 ayes, 0 nay, 0
present not voting, and 0 absent.
Senator Van de Putte assumed the chair and laid out SB186,
relating to motor vehicle insurance premium discounts for
certain individuals on active duty military, and recognized the
author, Senator Truan, to explain the bill. Will Davis and Fred
Bosse, representing United Services Automobile Association,
testified in opposition to the bill. Marilyn Hamilton,
Associate Commissioner representing Texas Department of
Insurance, testified on the bill. Senator Van de Putte moved
that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was
so ordered. Senator Truan moved that SB186 be reported
favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass
and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 5
ayes, 0 nay, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.
Senator Truan resumed the chair. There was no action taken for
the following bill(s):
SB 480 by Senator Duncan, relating to the use of development
corporations to improve local telecommunications infrastructure,
was left to be laid out at a later date per the request of its
author.
Invited guest speakers from the Texas Veterans Commission, James
Nier, Executive Director, Commissioner John Brieden, and Billy
Green, Director of Human Resources, testified as Resource
Witnesses. Mr. Nier noted the Commission's success was due in
part to Dean Truan and the members of the Senate Committee on
Veteran Affairs & Military Installations.
Mr. Nier testified the Texas Veterans Commission was one of only
a few State agencies in Article One to meet one hundred percent
(100%) of its performance objectives. Chairman Truan
congratulated them on this achievement on behalf of the
Committee. Mr. Nier also noted $748 million was recovered for
its active caseload during fiscal year 2000 as follows: $471
million for service connected veterans, $176 million to widows
and orphans of veterans and $101 million to totally disabled war
time veterans for pension. There were 39,000 claims filed on
behalf of these groups and 5,600 appeals filed. Mr. Nier also
stated The Texas Veterans Commission helped Texas lead in
Veteran Affairs expenditures per veteran, monetary recovery of
pensions and compensation per veteran and participation rate in
Veteran Affairs pensions. Mr. Nier noted their success was due
to several factors, including strong support from the Texas
Legislature, support of veterans service organizations, and
excellent outreach to veterans by the Commission.
Mr. Nier stated that although the Texas Veterans Commission has
been very successful, he
commented about concerns for the next biennium. The current
caseload stands at 107,000 compared to the over 1.5 million
veterans now living in Texas. Mr. Nier stated the Commission
needs additional outreach to these veterans and to improve
counseling services and case representation, including
maintaining a qualified, trained workforce. Although the
Commission has a low turnover rate, Mr. Nier stated there could
be the highest turnover rate in history during the next year if
salaries are not increased. Equipment upgrades are necessary as
well as the need to hire a network specialist. Chairman Truan
asked for a written summary of the Texas Veterans Commissions'
budget request and justification for the Veterans Finance
Working Group.
Chairman Truan noted Commissioner David Dewhurst of the Texas
General Land Office testified before the Committee on Wednesday,
February 7, 2001 and asked if the Texas Veterans Commission
would like to offer any suggestions on the Veterans Land Board.
Mr. Nier stated the two agencies signed a memorandum of
understanding and are working together closely. Dean Truan
commented he was drafting legislation to lift restrictions on
revenue bonds and include additional bonding authority for the
Veterans Land Board. Chairman Truan then noted that
representatives from both agencies along with Committee staff
should work together in roundtable discussions. Mr. Nier
finished his presentation by requesting an across-the-board pay
raise for all state employees.
There being no further business, at 4:49 p.m. Senator Shapleigh
moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of
the chair. Without objection, it was so ordered.
______________________
Senator Carlos F. Truan, Chairman
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Rhonda Pointer, Clerk