SENATE

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

COMMITTEE:    Veteran Affairs & Military Installations 

TIME & DATE:  8:30 AM, Monday, May 21, 2012 

PLACE:        El Paso Armed Forces Reserve Center, Room 225  
CHAIR:        Senator Leticia Van de Putte 

The Senate Committee on Veteran Affairs and Military Installations will meet at 8:30 AM on Monday, May 21, 2012 in Room 225 of the El Paso Armed Forces Reserve Center (11701 Montana Avenue, El Paso, TX 79936).

The committee will take up the following interim charges:

• 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.

• 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.

• Monitor the implementation of the administration of the Veterans Housing Assistance Program by the Texas Veterans Commission's Fund for Veterans' Assistance.

Public testimony will be limited. If submitting written testimony, please provide 10 copies with your name on each.