Senate Committee on Veteran Affairs and Military Installations - 79th R.S. (2005)

Committee Members
Leticia Van de Putte, Chair Craig Estes, Vice Chair Todd Staples, Vice Chair Craig Estes	Troy Fraser Chris Harris Kel Seliger Eliot Shapleigh
Charges
• Examine issues and problems with overseas military voting and explore the possibility of establishing a single point of contact for Texas military voters. Consider requirements of the federal Uniformed and Overseas Citizen Absentee Voting Act and review systems established in other states.
• Compile an inventory of state veterans' benefits, including health care facilities and nursing homes across the state, the state veteran cemetery system, job training programs, educational benefits, and re-employment rights issues, and the Texas Veterans Land Board Loan Programs, and make recommendations for improving efficiency and effectiveness.
• Monitor the implementation legislation transferring the veteran employment programs under the Texas Workforce Commission to the Texas Veterans Commission. Monitor the implementation of legislation establishing a database in the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board that tracks veterans' usage of the Hazlewood higher education tuition exemption.
• Examine other issues facing the 80th Legislature, such as oral health of guardsmen and reservists, Ellington Field and Fort Bliss, predatory lending, TRICARE provider shortages, business and employment issues for veterans, and the need for a VA hospital in the Rio Grande Valley.
Note: Todd Staples appointed to the committee and named Vice Chair 02/03/2006. Craig Estes removed as Vice Chair 02/03/2006. Chris Harris (Member) appointed 02/03/2006. Troy Fraser (Member) and Kel Seliger (Member) removed 02/03/2006. The committee's fourth charge was not included in the list of charges assigned by the Lieutenant Governor. The language of this charge is taken from the letter of transmittal included in the Committee's interim report.

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