MINUTES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON VETERAN AFFAIRS & MILITARY INSTALLATIONS

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 Veteran Affairs & Military Installations 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 Leticia Van de Putte, Chair	Senator Craig Estes
Senator Brian Birdwell, Vice Chair
Senator Wendy Davis
Senator Jose Rodriguez

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The chair called the meeting to order at 9:12 AM. There being a quorum present, the following business was transacted:

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.

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Senator Leticia Van de Putte, Chair

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Felicia Wright, Clerk