San Antonio Chamber Of Commerce: Governor's Committee To Support The Military Tracks Legislative Wins For 87th Legislative Session

Press release from the San Antonio Chamber of Commerce - News:

June 25, 2021

Early this year, the Governor’s Committee to Support the Military released their 2020 report and then dutifully tracked legislation that provided support for their recommendations throughout the 87th Legislative Session, all in the hopes of supporting workforce development goals, improving the quality of life of Texas’ service members and families focusing on Education and Healthcare, and adding military value to our local communities by mitigating encroachment and infrastructure concerns.

After tracking more than 170 bills impacting the military and veterans, the Committee was proud to see 45 pass the finish line and become law.

The Governor’s Committee to Support the Military was established in September 2018 and is comprised of up to 22 individuals, led by Chair Keith Sledd, Executive Director of the Heart of Texas Defense Alliance, and Vice Chair Lori Stinson, the San Antonio Chamber of Commerce Vice President of Military Affairs and Leadership Development. The Committee includes Texas-resident veterans, community leaders, and business leaders and recently added Fred Milton of New Boston, Texas, who is President and CEO of Milton Integrated Logistics, Inc.

“A lot of work goes into developing the language of the legislation, researching impacts, identifying stakeholders and finding champions to carry the cause, but it is a great team effort. We are proud to be a part of moving the needle forward for our military service members, families, and missions,” said Lori Stinson. “Locally, out of the San Antonio Chamber’s Military Affairs Council, all of our priorities gained traction early and secured wins with the invaluable support of our local business advocates and legislators like Representative Diego Bernal, Representative Ray Lopez, Senator José Menéndez , and Senator Donna Campbell. We even reached across the state to find support with Representative Lina Ortega and many others too. We are grateful for those firm relationships to support our Military partners statewide.”

A few notable wins include:

• DEAAG Grant- certified for $30 million.
• SB149: Regulation of drones over military installations and facilities.-Effective 9/1/2021
• SB780: Local government can enter into an intergovernmental support agreement with a branch of the U.S. armed forces.- Effective 5/24/2021.
• SB1524: Relates to a $2500 sales tax credit for each veteran and military spouse in an accredited apprenticeship program. -Effective January 1, 2022.
• HB139: State occupational licensing of certain military veterans and military spouses.- Effective 9/1/2021
• HB2365: Reimbursement of certain military medical treatment facilities and affiliated health care providers under Medicaid. -Effective 9/1/2021.
• HB3399: Relates to the authority of the Texas Department of Transportation to provide road services on federal military property. -Effective 9/1/2021.
• HB3932:  Establishes the State Advisory Council on Educational Opportunity for Military Children.-Effective 9/1/2021.

Essential duties of the Committee are to:

• Study and make recommendations on how best to maintain and enhance military value at existing military installations in Texas.
• Study and make recommendations on how best to make Texas a more attractive destination for additional military missions.
• Collaborate with local governments and chambers of commerce to explore surrounding civilian infrastructure and identify competing and complementary needs between private development, the rights of private landowners, and military necessities.
• Examine the 2005 criteria used by the Base Realignment and Closure Commission and identify strategies to avoid future base closures.
• Coordinate with the Texas Military Preparedness Commission and Texas Military Value Task Force.

For any questions related to the Governor’s Committee to Support the Military or for your San Antonio Chamber of Commerce’s Military Affairs advocacy efforts, please contact Lori Stinson at lstinson@sachamber.org.

This press release was produced by the San Antonio Chamber of Commerce - News. The views expressed here are the author’s own.