Senate Committee on Veteran Affairs & Military Installations
NOTE: This is archived committee information from the 83rd Legislative Session.
Committee Information
CHAIR
Leticia Van de Putte
VICE-CHAIR
Brian Birdwell
MEMBERS
Donna Campbell
Wendy Davis
José Rodríguez
DIRECTOR:
Bill Wilson
TEL:
(512) 463-2211
FAX:
(512) 463-7683
LOCATION:
Sam Houston Building, 345
PHYSICAL ADDRESS:
201 E. 14th St., Suite 345
Austin, TX 78701
Video/Audio — Archives
83rd Session Interim
- June 12, 2014 — Road Meeting: Pasadena (audio only).
- April 15, 2014
- November 20, 2013 — Joint Hearing: Senate Committee on Veteran Affairs and Military Installations, House Committee on Defense and Veterans' Affairs; Road Meeting: San Antonio (audio only).
83rd Regular Session
- May 20, 2013
- May 17, 2013 — Audio only.
- May 16, 2013 — Audio only.
- May 15, 2013
- May 8, 2013
- April 18, 2013 — Audio only.
- April 17, 2013
- April 11, 2013 — Audio only.
- April 10, 2013
- April 3, 2013
- March 27, 2013
- March 20, 2013
- March 6, 2013
- February 20, 2013
Hearing Documents and Press Items
Important News and Updates
- October 11, 2013 – VAMI Interim Charge Recommendations to Lt. Governor Dewhurst
- February 5, 2013 – Texas Capitol Vietnam Veterans Monument – Groundbreaking Events Flyer
- January 2013 – Senate Committee on Veteran Affairs & Military Installations Interim Report to the 83rd Legislature
Interim Charges
- 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.
- Monitor and examine efforts to provide employment and workforce opportunities for veterans, service members, and their families. Make recommendations on how best to continue collaborating with and supporting our honored veterans as they re-enter the civilian workforce, including improving employment opportunities for veterans at all state agencies.
- Provide an update on the State Strike Force teams' progress and recommendations on any additional steps necessary to ensure that veterans promptly receive all federal disability benefits to which they are entitled.
- 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.
- Monitor the implementation of the veterans occupational licensure bills passed during the 83rd Legislative Session to expedite the licensure process for those who are serving, have served, or are married to someone serving our nation in uniform. Study and make recommendations to strengthen and improve state efforts to ease the transition of military veterans and their spouses into the Texas civilian workforce.
- 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 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 Veteran County Service Officers.
