AUSTIN, TX – Today, Senator Juan "Chuy" Hinojosa's Senate Bill 318 passed unanimously out of the Senate Veteran's Affairs and Military Installations Committee. SB 318 raises the cap for grants that are awarded through the Defense Economic Adjustment Assistance Grant Program (DEAAG) from $2 million to $5 million. The program is designed to aid communities negatively affected by federal Base Realignments and Closures (BRACs) as well as to assist defense communities to stay militarily valuable.

Senator Hinojosa issued the following statement:

"I am pleased that SB 18 passed unanimously out of committee today to benefit our military communities who play a major role in our Texas economy. SB 18 increases the cap on grants awarded to our communities with military bases. Many Texas military bases are in need of major renovations and repairs and these grants can help keep up their BRAC scores to help avoid a potential closure.

These grants will be available to communities with military bases statewide to allow them to build up their infrastructure to increase the military value of their base. Also, these grants can help communities transition certain military property to civilian use for business or educational purposes.

SB 318 is also critical to Senate District 20 because we are home to the Corpus Christi Army Depot, the world's largest military helicopter repair facility that accounts for about 6,000 jobs in the Coastal Bend. I was honored to see our Corpus Christi elected officials at the hearing today in support of this legislation. Thank you to Nueces County Judge Loyd Neal, Corpus Christi Mayor Nelda Martinez, Councilman Colleen McIntyre, and Councilman Mark Scott. As a Vietnam Veteran, I am proud to author this legislation that will benefit our military communities and families."

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