SENATE

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

 

COMMITTEE:    Veteran Affairs & Military Installations 

TIME & DATE:  8:30 AM, Tuesday, August 28, 2012 

PLACE:        Killeen, TX 
CHAIR:        Senator Leticia Van de Putte 

 

 

The Senate Committee on Veteran Affairs & Military Installations will meet on Tuesday, August 28, 2012 at 8:30am in the Board Room of the Central Texas Workforce Center, located at 300 Cheyenne Drive, Killeen, TX. The committee will take invited and public testimony on the following interim charges:

 

·                Study the employment rate of Texas veterans, and consider ways to better coordinate federal, state, local and private resources to enhance employment services. Examine the transfer of Veteran Employment Services (VES) from the Texas Workforce Commission to the Texas Veterans Commission, and include an assessment of the impact on Texas veterans and their families. Make recommendations for improving services and possible expansion of services to potential additional returning veterans of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.

 

·                Examine methods to support veteran participation in higher education. Examine the use of the Hazlewood Act by Texas veterans, and include recommendations to maximize programs to effectively serve veterans and their families. Determine the efficacy of establishing Veteran Resource Centers at institutions of higher education to assist in student veteran academic achievement, provide additional funding for institutions from increased Montgomery GI Bill revenue, and better integrate veterans on college campuses.

 

·                Monitor the implementation of legislation addressed by the Senate Committee on Veteran Affairs & Military Installations, 82nd Legislature, Regular and Called Sessions, and make recommendations for any legislation needed to improve, enhance, and/or complete implementation. Specifically, monitor the following:

              -the "College Credit for Heroes" program as administered by             the Texas Workforce Commission

 

·                The Texas Coordinating Council for Veterans Services, authorized by SB 1796, 82nd Regular Legislation Session.

 

Public witnesses are requested to limit oral remarks and are welcome to submit written testimony of any length and content, electronic format preferred. If submitting written testimony, please provide 15 copies with your name on each.