MINUTES

 

SENATE COMMITTEE ON VETERAN AFFAIRS & MILITARY INSTALLATIONS

Tuesday, September 16, 2014

8:30 AM

Capitol Extension, Room E1.028

 

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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 Tuesday, September 16, 2014, in the Capitol Extension, Room E1.028, at Austin, Texas.

 

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

 

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The chair called the meeting to order at 8:37 AM.

 

Roll was called at 8:45 AM. There being a quorum present, the following business was transacted:

 

The Chair recognized Lieutenant Colonel Miguel Torres to lead the committee in the United States Pledge of Allegiance and the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of Texas.

 

 

The chair called the following individuals to provide invited testimony on interim charge #4: Study and make recommendations to improve access to services provided by non-profit organizations to veterans, their families, and survivors, including examining the effectiveness, standards, and consistency of the 2-1-1 information and referral system for military and veteran families statewide. (see attached witness list).

 

 

 

 

 

The chair called the following individuals to provide invited testimony on interim charge #6:

Monitor implementation of the veteran’s mental health legislation passed during the 83rd Legislative Session, including funding to support the Military Veteran Peer Network at the Department of State Health Services.  Assess whether state mental health initiatives targeted to veterans and their families appropriately address Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.  Study and make recommendations to enhance the delivery of mental health services to veterans at the local level through the network of Veterans County Service Officers. (see attached witness list).

 

The following individuals provided public testimony. (see attached witness list).

 

 

 

There being no further business, at 11:00 AM Senator Van de Putte moved that the Committee be adjourned. Without objection, it was so ordered.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Senator Leticia Van de Putte, Chair

 

 

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Sarah Clemons, Clerk