The House Committee on Defense & Veterans' Affairs

88th Legislature

August 20, 2024

10:00 a.m.

E2.010

Pursuant to a notice posted on August 5, 2024, the House Committee on Defense & Veterans' Affairs met in a public hearing and was called to order by the chair, Representative Wilson, at 10:08 a.m.

The initial quorum call was answered as follows: Representatives Wilson; Lopez, Ray; Bumgarner; Dorazio; Dutton, Jill; Frank; Garcia; and Morales Shaw.

A quorum was present.

The Chair and Vice-Chair made opening remarks.

The Committee heard invited testimony on the following interim charges:

Monitoring: Monitor the agencies and programs under the Committee’s jurisdiction and oversee the implementation of relevant legislation passed by the 88th Legislature. Conduct active oversight of all associated rulemaking and other governmental actions taken to ensure the intended legislative outcome of all legislation, including the following:

HB 90, relating to benefits for certain members of the Texas military forces and survivors of members of the Texas military forces;

Testimony taken/registration recorded.  (See attached witness list.)

HB 671, relating to a veteran suicide prevention campaign;

Testimony taken/registration recorded.  (See attached witness list.)

In addition to the above legislation, the Committee also considered the implementation of:

HB 1457, relating to required military informed care or military cultural competency training for certain personnel of entities that provide mental health services to veterans or veterans' families before award of a state agency grant;

Testimony taken/registration recorded.  (See attached witness list.)

HB 2951, relating to the establishment of a service dog pilot program for certain veterans;

Testimony taken/registration recorded.  (See attached witness list.)

SB 538, relating to the use of appropriated money by the Texas State Guard for recruiting and retention purposes;

Testimony taken/registration recorded.  (See attached witness list.)

Identification and Support of Texas Veterans: Identify barriers to identifying and verification of veteran status. Make recommendations to improve identification efforts to better engage and support the state’s veteran populations.

Testimony taken/registration recorded.  (See attached witness list.)

In addition to the above charges, the Committee also monitored the agencies and programs under the Committee’s jurisdiction. The Committee received a status update on recruitment and retention, benefits, and facilities and armories from the Texas Military Department.

Testimony taken/registration recorded.  (See attached witness list.)

At 4:56 p.m., on the motion of the chair and without objection, the meeting was adjourned subject to the call of the chair.

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Rep. Wilson, Chair

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Andrew Harkey, Clerk