MINUTES
SENATE COMMITTEE ON VETERAN AFFAIRS & MILITARY INSTALLATIONS
Monday, May 21, 2012
8:30 AM
El Paso Armed Forces Reserve Center, Room 225
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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 Monday, May 21, 2012, in the El Paso Armed Forces Reserve Center, Room 225.
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MEMBERS PRESENT: |
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MEMBERS ABSENT: |
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Senator Leticia Van de Putte, Chair |
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Senator Craig Estes |
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Senator Brian Birdwell, Vice Chair |
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Senator Wendy Davis |
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Senator Jose Rodriguez |
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The chair called the meeting to order at 8:41 AM. There being a quorum present, the following business was transacted:
The chair recognized Colonel Patrick M. Hamilton of the Texas Adjutant General’s Office to lead the committee in the Pledge of Allegiance and the Pledge to the Texas Flag.
Senator Birdwell moved to maintain the current committee rules. There being no objection, it was so ordered.
Senator Rodriguez moved adoption of the minutes from the previous hearing held on April 12, 2012; without objection, it was so ordered.
The chair recognized and welcomed Congressman Silvestre Reyes to the hearing.
The chair laid out the following interim charge:
Consider establishing a "Commander's Council" in conjunction with the Office of the Governor's Texas Military Preparedness Commission, to allow commanders of Texas' military forces and installations to better coordinate and communicate with the Texas Legislature and state leadership. Develop a comprehensive communication plan with Texas military installations, and recommend any legislative initiatives necessary to support the installations, active-duty service members and their families on and around the installations, and the partnerships between the defense community and the community within which the military installations reside.
The chair recognized witnesses to provide invited testimony (see attached witness list).
The chair laid out the following interim charge:
Study the use and impact of Veterans Courts throughout Texas. Make recommendations relating to potential funding sources, staffing requirements, additional direct services not provided by the Veterans Administration, and possible expansion.
The chair recognized witnesses to provide invited testimony (see attached witness list).
The chair laid out the following interim charge:
Monitor the implementation of the administration of the Veterans Housing Assistance Program by the Texas Veterans Commission's Fund for Veterans' Assistance.
The chair recognized witnesses to provide invited testimony (see attached witness list).
Witnesses providing public testimony are shown on the attached list.
The chair moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered.
There being no further business, at 12:05 PM 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