MINUTES

 

SENATE COMMITTEE ON VETERAN AFFAIRS & MILITARY INSTALLATIONS

Wednesday, May 12, 2010

1:00 p.m.

Betty King Committee Room

 

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Pursuant to a notice posted in accordance with Senate Rule 11.18, a public hearing of the Senate Committee on Veteran Affairs & Military Installations was held on Wednesday, May 12, 2010, in the Betty King Committee Room at Austin, Texas.

 

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MEMBERS PRESENT:		MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Leticia Van de Putte, Chair Senator Wendy Davis Senator Joan Huffman		Senator Eliot Shapleigh Senator Craig Estes

 

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The chair called the meeting to order at 1:05 p.m.  The following business was transacted: 

 

The chair recognized Betty J. Stewart to lead the committee in the Pledge of Allegiance.

 

The chair recognized and welcomed Senator Seliger to today's hearing. 

 

The chair laid out the review of the management of nursing homes for Texas veterans and recognized the following persons to provide invited testimony (see attached witness list).

 

Senator Huffman present at 2:16 p.m. and a quorum was established. 

 

The chair laid out interim committee charge 6, study the advantages of centralizing call center activities for referral to benefits providers (e.g., TVC, TVLB, VA, DSHS, Suicide Prevention Call Centers, etc.), including the costs associated with maintaining multiple call centers, the potential savings of consolidating reporting systems, and any options for obtaining federal funds. Make suggestions to streamline the process for veterans to obtain resources and benefits, and recognized the following persons to provide invited testimony (see attached witness list). 

 

At 4:09 p.m. Senator Van de Putte moved that the committee stand at ease. 

 

At 4:17 p.m. the committee reconvened. 

 

The chair laid out interim committee charge 4, study the specific needs of female veterans and service members and whether they are met. Make recommendations for improving services, and recognized the following persons to provide invited testimony (see attached witness list).  The following persons provided public testimony (see attached witness list).

 

The chair requested the committee to stand in silence for one minute, in recognition of the late Delilah Washburn, past president of the Disabled Veterans National Foundation, and her accomplishments and passion for female veterans.

 

The chair laid out interim committee charge 5, study the value of enhancing training requirements for Veterans County Service Officers (VCSO) to improve veterans service at the local level, especially in rural areas. Make recommendations on how to best use technology for training purposes and expanding accreditation of VCSO, and recognized the following persons to provide invited testimony (see attached witness list).

 

There being no further business, at 5:23 p.m. Senator Van de Putte moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of the chair.  Without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

 

 

 

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Senator Leticia Van de Putte, Chair

 

 

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Felicia Wright, Clerk