Your San Antonio Chamber of Commerce’s Military Affairs Council (MAC) met on Wednesday with a robust agenda. We were honored to host
John Anderson, Executive Director, JBSA Community Initiatives, who provided an update on the JBSA Partnership (P4) program. The JBSA Community Partnership Program (JCPP) follows an Air Force Directive and was formalized in August 2014. Although the partnerships existed well before the formal creation of the program, the San Antonio Chamber of Commerce proudly signed on as a partner with other key stakeholders with a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signing in September 2018.
The goal of the JCPP is to find creative ways to share resources, accomplish the JBSA mission, and enhance local communities. The program has generated more than $885M in benefits to JBSA (FY16-FY20 cumulative total) and has set the standard nationally. The P4 initiative categories include Welfare, Sustainment, Readiness, and Innovation. For more information on the JBSA P4 Program, email
usaf.jbsa.502-abw.mbx.502-abw-community-initiatives@mail.mil or call Mr. Anderson at 210-808-7505.
Additionally, the Council members heard from
Bruce Anderson, Chief, Community Relations at U.S. Army North’s Public Affairs Office, who presented information related to the
military support to the whole-of-nation vaccination effort.
We also heard important updates from our Service Members and spent time discussing current activities related to our State Legislative Session. The Chamber provided formal support for recent bills which were heard at last week’s House Defense and Veteran’s Affairs Committee. These bills include:
- House Bill 33 would amend the Education Code and the Labor Code relating to measures to facilitate the award of postsecondary course credit leading to workforce credentialing based on military experience, education, and training. Based on the analysis of the Texas Workforce Commission, it is assumed that the duties and responsibilities associated with implementing the provisions of the bill could be accomplished by utilizing existing resources.
- House Bill 139 simplifies the process for military spouses to establish residency in Texas when they relocate with the military. It allows the military orders requiring the permanent change of station to Texas to establish residency for licensing and certification purposes. Streamlines last session’s SB 1200 bill sponsored by Sen Campbell, of which we provided personal testimony in support of during the 86th Legislative Session.
- House Bill 739 would amend the Government Code to require the Texas Veterans Commission (TVC) to develop a grant program for veterans seeking a certification or training to prepare for employment in the energy industry. The bill would require TVC to coordinate with the General Land Office and Veterans' Land Board on an outreach campaign for veterans' participation. Currently, under Government Code, Section 434.017, Fund for Veterans' Assistance, money appropriated can be used to make grants to address veterans' needs.
Additionally, we are tracking the following legislation that supports our Chamber’s formally adopted State Agenda (
https://www.saccadvocacy.com/stateagenda):
- Military Treatment Facility - Civilian Trauma Billing and Collections Issue
- HB 2365 (Rep Lopez) Referred to Human Services 3/15/21
- HB 2365 (By Lopez), Relating to the participation and reimbursement of certain military medical treatment facilities and affiliated health care providers under Medicaid.
- Amending Subchapter B, Chapter 32, Human Services Code, by adding Section 32.0275 which applies to a military Medical Treatment facility that has been verified as a Level 1 Trauma Center by the American College of Surgeons or an equivalent organization and providing/receiving reimbursement for services provided to civilian patients.
- TX Education Advisory Council Legislation - relating to the establishment of the State Advisory Council on Educational Opportunity for Military Children.
- SB 2044 (Sen Menendez)
- HB 3932 (Rep Bernal, Guillen)
- This legislation will bring the State of Texas into compliance with the National Military Interstate Compact Commission requirements, as well as establishing a framework of key stakeholders with important meeting and reporting requirements.
- County IGSA Authority - Relating to the authority of a local government to enter into an intergovernmental support agreement with a branch of the armed forces of the United States.
- HB 2210 (Rep Raymond) – scheduled for public hearing at House Defense and Veteran’s Committee on Monday, March 22, 2021
- SB 780 (Sen Hinojosa)
- Intergovernmental Support Agreements (IGSA) are lowering the cost of doing business for the military in Texas, making the state more competitive for new missions and federal job growth, as well as making bases safer from Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) if one occurs.
- This legislation will give counties specific authority to enter into an IGSA with the military.
- TXDOT Inter-agency - Relating to the authority of the Texas Department of Transportation to provide road services on federal military property.
- HB 3399 (Rep Ortega)
- SB 1910 (Sen Blanco)
- This bill will allow TXDOT to enter in to an agreement with DoD or another federal entity to allow the department of Transportation to assist with the provision of road maintenance, improvement, relocation, or extension services for military installations – thereby leveraging the buying power of TXDOT and allowing them to apply their resources and skills to projects that support our military missions. This does NOT compete or impede funding for TXDOT projects.
The Council also discussed information related to Purple Up Day on
Thursday, April 15th, as well as how to celebrate the Month of the Military Child in April:
https://www.sachamber.org/news/2021/03/05/go-purple-in-april-for-the-month-of-the-military-child/. We challenge you to wear purple and celebrate our military kids in fun and creative ways!
Finally, we heard Chamber Member updates and rounded out the meeting with information on our upcoming events. For more information on our Military Affairs Council, please email Lori Stinson, Vice President of Military Affairs and Leadership Development, at
lstinson@sachamber.org. The MAC Mission continues to be to promote San Antonio by engaging the greater San Antonio community and especially its business community to demonstrably support, maintain, celebrate and grow the military presence in San Antonio.
