MINUTES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON VETERAN AFFAIRS & MILITARY INSTALLATIONS

Wednesday, November 20, 2013

1:30 PM

San Antonio, Texas

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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 Wednesday, November 20, 2013, in San Antonio, Texas.

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MEMBERS PRESENT:	MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Leticia Van de Putte, Chair	Senator Brian Birdwell, Vice Chair
Senator Donna Campbell
Senator Wendy Davis
Senator José Rodríguez

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The chair called the meeting to order at 1:38 PM. There being a quorum present, the following business was transacted:

Representative Jose Menendez, Chair of House Committee on Defense & Veterans’ Affairs, called the meeting to order at 1:39 PM.

Senator Van de Putte and Representative Menendez shared presiding duties.

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

Senator Van de Putte recognized General Charles Rodriguez to lead the committees in the Texas Pledge.

Senator Van de Putte, Representative Menendez, and members of the committees made opening remarks.

Senator Van de Putte and Representative Menendez called the following individuals to provide invited testimony on interim charge #1: Investigate the impact of federal actions (including the federal government shutdown, sequestration, military force reductions, and potential base closure or realignment) on active-duty service members, the Texas Military Department, veterans, their families, defense-related contractors, small businesses, local governments, and state agencies (see attached witness list).

The following person provided written testimony (see attached witness list).

There being no further business, at 5:07 PM Senator Van de Putte moved that the Senate Committee stand recessed subject to the call of the chair. Without objection, it was so ordered.

There being no further business, at 5:07 PM Representative Menendez moved that the House Committee stand adjourned 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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Sarah Clemons, Clerk