MINUTES
Committee on Veteran Affairs &
Military Installations
Wednesday, March 5, 2003
1:30 p.m. (or upon adjournment of the Senate--whichever is
later)
Betty King Committee Room
*****
Pursuant to a notice posted in accordance with Senate Rule
11.18, a public hearing of the Texas Senate Committee on
Veteran Affairs and Military Installations was held on
Wednesday, March 5, 2003, in the Betty King Committee Room
(2E.20) of the State Capitol Building, behind the Senate
Chamber, at Austin, Texas.
*****
MEMBERS PRESENT: MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Leticia Van de Putte, Chair Senator Craig, Estes,
Vice Chair
Senator Troy Fraser Senator Frank Madla
Senator Eliot Shapleigh (Estes and Madla
arrived later)
*****
The Chair called the hearing to order at 1:43 p.m. The
Clerk called the roll. There being a quorum present, the
following business was transacted:
The Chair requested that the Honorable Jerry Patterson,
Commissioner of the Texas General Land Office, lead the
committee, the staff, and the audience in the Pledge of
Allegiance to the Flag of the United States. Commissioner
Patterson did so.
The Chair laid before the Committee the minutes of the
hearing of Wednesday, February 19, 2003. On motion of
Senator Shapleigh, those minutes were approved without
objection.
Senator Madla now present (1:45 p.m.)
The Chair made a statement relative to the policy of the
Committee which prohibits the use of cellular telephones
during the hearing.
The Chair laid before the Committee Senate Bill No. 652 and
called upon its author, Senator Shapleigh, to explain the
bill. Senator Shapleigh did so.
The Chair called attention to the Fiscal Note for Senate
Bill No. 652.
The Chair recognized the Honorable Frank J. Corte, Jr.,
member of the Texas House of Representatives, who testified
for Senate Bill No. 652.
Senator Estes now present (2:05 p.m.)
The Chair recognized Commissioner Jerry Patterson, of the
Texas General Land Office and Veterans Land Board, who
testified for Senate Bill No. 652.
The Chair noted that all testimony and activities in the
committee room are being recorded and transmitted.
The Chair recognized the Honorable Loyd Neal, Mayor, City
of Corpus Christi, and Chairman of the South Texas Military
Facilities Task Force, who testified for Senate Bill No.
652. Mayor Neal also furnished written material to the
Committee.
The Chair recognized the Honorable Bonnie Conner, City
Councilwoman, City of San Antonio, and Chair of the City
Council's Intergovernmental Relations Committee, who
testified for Senate Bill No. 652.
Councilwoman Conner was later physically joined by Mr. Ed
Davis, Economic Development Manager, City of San Antonio
who--in collaboration with Councilwoman Conner--continued
to present testimony for Senate Bill No. 652.
(The Vice Chair presided in the temporary absence of the
Chair)
Councilwoman Conner continued her testimony for Senate Bill
No. 652.
(The Chair returned)
Councilwoman Conner continued her testimony for Senate Bill
No. 652. Councilwoman Conner also furnished written
material to the Committee.
The Chair recognized Mr. Jerry V. Sparks, BRAC Chair,
Texarkana Chamber, who testified for Senate Bill No. 652.
Mr. Sparks also furnished written material to the
Committee.
The Chair recognized Mr. Ralph C. Gauer, Vice Chair, Texas
Strategic Military Planning Commission, who testified on
Senate Bill No. 652. Mr. Gauer also furnished written
material to the Committee.
The Chair recognized Mr. Dave Hall, Deputy City Manager,
Minutes
Wednesday, March 5, 2003
page 3
City of Killeen, who testified on Senate Bill No. 652.
The Chair recognized Lieutenant General (Retired) H. G.
(Pete) Taylor, Military Child Education Coalition, who
testified on Senate Bill No. 652.
The Chair recognized Mr. Fidel Marquez, Senior Vice
President, City Public Service, who testified on Senate
Bill No. 652.
The Chair recognized Ms. Celia Davis, Chair, Abilene
Military Affairs Committee, who testified for Senate Bill
No. 652.
The Chair recognized Mr. Brian Lloyd, Director-Retail
Market Oversight, Public Utility Commission of Texas, who
testified on Senate Bill No. 652.
The Chair recognized The Honorable John Fisher, Bell County
Commissioner, Precinct 4, who testified on Senate Bill No.
652.
The Chair recognized Ms. Ann Smisko, Associate
Commissioner, Texas Education Agency, who testified on
Senate Bill No. 652.
The Chair recognized Ms. Janie Danhoff Haga, Manager,
Government Relations, Vought Aircraft Industries, who
testified on Senate Bill No. 652.
The Chair recognized Mr. John W. Fainter, Jr., President,
Association of Electric Companies of Texas, Inc., who
testified on Senate Bill No. 652.
The Chair recognized Mr. Wayne A. Dennis, Deputy Director
of Transportation Planning, Texas Department of
Transportation, who testified on Senate Bill No. 652. Mr.
Dennis also furnished written material to the Committee.
The Chair recognized Mr. William F. Looke, Executive
Director, Texas Aerospace Commission, who presented himself
as strictly a resource witness on Senate Bill No. 652.
The Chair noted that Ms. Deborah C. Kastrin, Consultant,
County of El Paso, presented herself for Senate Bill No.
652, but did not wish to actually testify nor did she wish
to provide written material to the Committee in favor of
the bill.
The Chair noted that public testimony would be kept open
for Senate Bill No. 652 and the bill was then left as
pending business before the Committee.
There being no further business, the Chair, at 4:55 p.m.,
recessed the Committee subject to the call of the Chair.
Minutes
Wednesday, March 5, 2003
page 4
_____________________________________________
LETICIA VAN DE PUTTE, R.Ph., Chair
______________________________________________
GREGORY D. WATSON, Committee Clerk