Senate Select Committee on Veteran Affairs

Committee Leadership

Chair

Brent Hagenbuch (R)

Senate District 30

Denton

Vice Chair

Bob Hall (R)

Senate District 2

Edgewood

Committee Composition

Committee Membership

Hagenbuch, Brent (R) Senate District 30 Denton Hall, Bob (R) Senate District 2 Edgewood Flores, Pete (R) Senate District 24 Pleasanton Menéndez, José (D) Senate District 26 San Antonio Parker, Tan (R) Senate District 12 Flower Mound

Interim Charges

1. Protecting the Integrity of Department of Veteran Affairs Claims: Study and evaluate the effectiveness of Texas’ veteran claims-assistance infrastructure and the impact of the State Strike Force. Assess statewide vulnerabilities to deceptive claims-assistance practices and identify predatory practices used against veterans or their families. Make recommendations to further strengthen claims assistance and safeguard Texas veterans from unaccredited or predatory actors/agents.
2. Strengthening the Military-to-Civilian Transition: Explore the resources made available to Texans who exit military service. Review the federal Veteran Administration’s Transition Assistance Program (TAP) offered to service members and their families and identify opportunities in Texas that could be assisted by the Texas Military Veteran Peer Network. Make recommendations within existing resources to support the transition from military to civilian careers, recognizing the impact of the shift from command-centered life to full autonomy.
3. Monitoring: Monitor the implementation of legislation passed by the 89th Legislature, as well as relevant agencies and programs under the committee’s jurisdiction. Specifically, make recommendations for any legislation needed to improve, enhance, or complete implementation of the following:
   • Senate Bill 1814 (89th Legislature), relating to the creation and maintenance of an electronic database to provide information to certain members of the United States armed forces regarding the resources and benefits provided to veterans; and
   • House Bill 114 (89th Legislature), relating to the transfer of functions relating to certain veteran mental health programs and plans to the Texas Veterans Commission.