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Governor Abbott Issues Executive Order Establishing The Governor’s Committee To Support the Military

September 5, 2018 | Austin, Texas | Proclamation

WHEREAS, Texas has 15 military installations which contributed $101.6 billion in output, $62.33 billion in GDP, and $39.8 billion in disposable personal income to the state’s economy in 2017; and

WHEREAS, the State of Texas strongly supports the mission of the U.S. military and actively looks for ways to maintain and enhance military value at installations within the state; and

WHEREAS, past rounds of Base Realignment and Closure Commissions have led to the closure and realignment of bases in Texas; and

WHEREAS, Texas is home to many retired and recently separated veterans from military installations located in the state with unique knowledge of opportunities to add military value and to maintain current installations; and

WHEREAS, the State of Texas seeks to utilize the experience and knowledge of its veterans to employ strategies to enhance military value and to maintain installations located in Texas;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GREG ABBOTT, Governor of the State of Texas, by virtue of the power and authority vested in me by the Constitution and Statutes of the State of Texas, do hereby order the following:

Creation and duties.  The Governor’s Committee to Support the Military, hereafter referred to as the Committee, is hereby created 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; and
  • coordinate with the Texas Military Preparedness Commission and Texas Military Values Task Force. 

Composition and Terms.  The Committee will consist of no more than 22 members appointed by the Governor, and shall include Texas-resident veterans, community leaders, and business leaders.  Members shall serve at the pleasure of the Governor.  The Governor shall designate a chair and vice-chair from the membership who shall hold such designations at the pleasure of the Governor.  The Governor may fill any vacancy that may occur and may appoint other members as needed.  Any state or local government employees appointed to serve on the Committee do so in addition to the regular duties of their respective office or position.

Report.  The Committee shall make a written report of its findings, activities, and recommendations, including legislative recommendations, to the Governor and the Legislature.  The first report is due by December 1, 2018, and should contain, in part, any additional recommendations for legislative action during the 2019 legislative session.  The Committee may issue other regular reports as it deems necessary.

Meetings.  The Committee shall meet at times and locations at the call of the Governor or the chair.  The Committee may meet by telephone or videoconference.  A majority of the membership shall constitute a quorum for the purpose of conducting the business of the Committee.

Auxiliary Military Spouse Task Force.  The Auxiliary Military Spouse Task Force is hereby created to study and report to the Committee on how best to enhance quality of life for military families in Texas.  The Task Force shall consist of no more than seven (7) military spouses, each appointed by the chair of the Committee, with the approval of the Office of the Governor.  The chair of the Committee shall designate the chair of the Task Force.  The Task Force shall meet at the call of the Committee chair, and such meetings shall comply with requirements applicable to Committee meetings.

Administrative Support.  All agencies of state and local government are hereby directed to cooperate with and assist the Committee in the performance of its duties.  

Other Provisions.  The Committee and Task Force shall adhere to guidelines and procedures prescribed by the Office of the Governor.  Members of the Committee and the Task Force shall serve without salary or compensatory per diem.  With prior written authorization of the Office of the Governor, members of the Committee or Task Force may be reimbursed for transportation and lodging expenses associated with attending Committee or Task Force meetings, as prescribed in Article IX, Section 5.07(a)(2) of the General Appropriations Act.

This Executive Order supersedes all previous orders in conflict or inconsistent with its terms and shall remain in effect and in full force until modified, amended, rescinded, or superseded by me or by a succeeding governor.

GREG ABBOTT
Governor