MINUTES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION & HOMELAND SECURITY

Thursday, April 12, 2012

9:00 AM

Capitol Extension, Room E1.036

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Pursuant to a notice posted in accordance with Senate Rule 11.10 and 11.18, a public hearing of the Senate Committee on Transportation & Homeland Security was held on Thursday, April 12, 2012, in the Capitol Extension, Room E1.036, at Austin, Texas.

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MEMBERS PRESENT:	MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Tommy Williams, Chair	Senator Chris Harris
Senator Kirk Watson, Vice Chair	Senator Robert Nichols
Senator Wendy Davis	Senator Jeff Wentworth
Senator Rodney Ellis
Senator Juan Hinojosa
Senator Florence Shapiro

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Senator Williams called the Senate Committee on Transportation and Homeland Security to order at 9:12 AM.

Senator Van de Putte called the Senate Committee on Veteran Affairs & Military Installations to order at 9:12 AM.

There being a quorum present, the following business was transacted:

Senators Williams and Van de Putte shared presiding duties.

Senator Van de Putte recognized Major General John Nichols to lead the committees in the Pledge of Allegiance.

The committees took invited testimony on the following joint interim charge:

Study the appropriate role of Texas state military forces in enhancing the safety of all Texans, and make recommendations for improving the coordination, accountability, and effectiveness of all components of our state military forces, including the national, state, and air guards. Identify limitations on the forces providing border security and other operations, and make recommendations for better coordination with federal, state and local law enforcement agencies.

Senator Van de Putte called Major General John Nichols to provide invited testimony on the joint interim charge (see attached witness list).

No public witnesses registered or provided testimony on the joint interim charge.

There being no further business, at 10:07 AM Senator Van de Putte moved that the Senate Committee on Veteran Affairs and Military Installations stand recessed subject to the call of the chair. Without objection, it was so ordered.

There being no further business, at 10:07 AM Senator Williams moved that the Senate Committee on Transportation and Homeland Security stand recessed subject to the call of the chair. Without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Williams reconvened the Senate Committee on Transportation and Homeland Security to order at 10:11 AM.

There being a quorum present, the following business was transacted:

The Committee took invited and public testimony on the following interim charges:

· Monitor the implementation of legislation addressed by the Senate Committee on Transportation and Homeland Security, 82^nd Legislature, Regular and Called Sessions, and make recommendations for any legislation needed to improve, enhance, and/or complete implementation. Specifically, monitor the following: Progress of the Texas Department of Public Safety’s Driver License Division efforts to enhance driver license processing, including technology and staff improvements, establishment of mega centers, additional mobile offices, and increased number of temporary visitor document processing staff.

· Examine the impact of border violence and illegal trafficking on the Texas economy, including the infringement on Texas property rights. Make recommendations for enhancing border security and maximizing federal resources targeted for this purpose.

The chair called the following witnesses to provide invited and public testimony on the interim charges (see attached witness list).

There being no further business, at 2:29 PM Senator Williams moved that the Senate Committee on Transportation and Homeland Security stand recessed subject to the call of the chair. Without objection, it was so ordered.

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Senator Tommy Williams, Chair

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Tulsi Oberbeck, Clerk