Highlights 77th Texas Legislature - Senate

___________ V ETERAN AND
ETERAN AND MILITARY
AFFAIRS
77 th Texas Legislature
Statewide Study on Infrastructure Related to Troop Deployment - S.B. 907
by Senator Shapleigh, et al.
House Sponsor: Representative Hawley
Currently, whenever one of the state's military bases deploys troops, the military uses the state's highways,
roads, and infrastructure to move troops and equipment. Last legislative session, the Texas Department of
Transportation (TXDOT) conducted a study of the deployment routes only for Fort Hood.
Requires TXDOT to conduct a statewide study due January 1, 2003, to identify and recommend the
improvement of the deployment routes most often used by the military in Texas.
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Study About Attracting and Retaining Military Missions - S.B. 939
by Senator Shapleigh, et al.
House Sponsor: Representative Najera
Military installations account for a significant portion of the economy of the cities in which they are located.
Requires the Texas Strategic Military Planning Commission to conduct a study to determine how Texas can
attract new military missions and retain existing military installations. The study and any recommendations
are to be submitted to state leaders by December 1, 2002.
Strategic Plan for Defense-Dependent Communities - S.B. 1164
by Senator Truan, et al.
House Sponsor: Representative Luna
It would be beneficial for Texas to remain competitive during upcoming federal decisions about base
closures throughout the United States.
Requires the Office of Defense Affairs (ODA) of the Texas Department of Economic Development, working
in cooperation with the Texas Strategic Military Planning Commission, to identify each defense-dependent
community in Texas and request that each community coordinate with the ODA to develop a five-year
strategic infrastructure plan by July 1, 2002.
Loan Program for Communities Impacted by Military Base Closures - S.B. 1815
by Senators Truan and Shapleigh
House Sponsor: Representative Luna
Authorizes the Office of Defense Affairs to administer a revolving loan program to help eligible communities
develop infrastructure to minimize the possibility of or the negative effects of a base closure on that
community.
Senate Research Center 316