(Austin) — The Texas Senate Veteran Affairs & Military Installations (VAMI) Committee will hold a public hearing on August 28, 2012, at 8:30 a.m., in the Board Room of the Central Texas Workforce Center, located at 300 Cheyenne Drive in Killeen.

The VAMI Committee is chaired by Senator Leticia Van de Putte of San Antonio and Vice-Chair is Senator Brian Birdwell of Granbury. Other members are Senators Wendy Davis of Fort Worth, Craig Estes of Wichita Falls, and José Rodríguez of El Paso.

The committee will take invited and public testimony on the following interim charges:

• Study the employment rate of Texas veterans, and consider ways to better coordinate federal, state, local and private resources to enhance employment services. Examine the transfer of Veteran Employment Services (VES) from the Texas Workforce Commission to the Texas Veterans Commission, and include an assessment of the impact on Texas veterans and their families. Make recommendations for improving services and possible expansion of services to potential additional returning veterans of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.
• Examine methods to support veteran participation in higher education. Examine the use of the Hazlewood Act by Texas veterans, and include recommendations to maximize programs to effectively serve veterans and their families. Determine the efficacy of establishing Veteran Resource Centers at institutions of higher education to assist in student veteran academic achievement, provide additional funding for institutions from increased Montgomery GI Bill revenue, and better integrate veterans on college campuses.
• Monitor the implementation of legislation addressed by the Senate Committee on Veteran Affairs & Military Installations, 82nd Legislature, Regular and Called Sessions, and make recommendations for any legislation needed to improve, enhance, and/or complete implementation. Specifically, monitor the following:
  • The "College Credit for Heroes" program as administered by the Texas Workforce Commission
  • The Texas Coordinating Council for Veterans Services, authorized by SB 1796, 82nd Regular Legislation Session.

Public witnesses are requested to limit oral remarks and are welcome to submit written testimony of any length and content, electronic format preferred. If submitting written testimony, please provide 15 copies with your name on each.