Bob Hall — Addressed as chair during member questions and thanked for the committee's work.
Bob Hall — Addressed directly while discussing bingo oversight and charitable operations.
Bob Hall — Addressed as Vice Chair Hall by the witness.
Bob Hall — Addressed as Vice Chair Hall.
Bob Hall — Addressed as Vice Chairman Hall.
Bob Hall — Bob Hall is addressed as Mr. Hall and then acknowledges the witness, thanking Director Blue and inviting the Colonel to proceed.
Pete Flores — Senator Pete Flores is noted as present and then introduces himself to the committee, thanking the chair and expressing appreciation for the opportunity to serve. He references his connection to Fort Hood and military communities and emphasizes the importance of communication in addressing veterans’ problems.
Pete Flores — Referenced as someone who can speak to the demographics and geography affecting Forge participants.
Pete Flores — Addressed directly by name in the exchange about military-to-civilian credentialing.
Pete Flores — The speaker addresses Senator Flores and references prior discussion about mental health and jails.
Pete Flores — The speaker says they will help sheriffs in their district understand the resource and asks whether any legislative action is being recommended.
Pete Flores — The speaker addresses the question to a senator while discussing whether other states have similar programs.
José Menéndez — Senator Menéndez is noted as present, though the transcript repeats his name.
José Menéndez — Recognized by the chair and invited to speak or introduce staff.
José Menéndez — Senator José Menéndez asks the committee for best practices and model legislation from other states to support military-affiliated students in higher education. He follows up by requesting any additional information on how other states address these issues, noting that support should extend beyond tuition and fees, and asks for a list of common barriers or issues students face.
José Menéndez — The witness addresses a senator as 'Senator,' likely Senator Menéndez based on surrounding context.
José Menéndez — The chair says the committee is moving on to Senator Menéndez and Senator Parker; Menéndez then asks about TVC delays and staffing.
José Menéndez — The speaker references Senator Menéndez as having asked about additional employees to speed up claims processing.
Tan Parker — Senator Parker is noted as running late and expected to arrive later.
Tan Parker — Senator Tan Parker is introduced and recognized by the chair, then thanks the chair, apologizes for arriving late, and expresses appreciation for the opportunity to serve. He notes his staff support, introducing Savannah Mann as his staffer and point person on the IBEGAIN initiative, referencing the Senate bill he carried last session to help veterans with PTSD and TBI. The chair then thanks Senator Parker and welcomes him.
Tan Parker — The witness said he wished Senator Parker were present and that he knows how they feel about him.
Tan Parker — The speaker reinforces Senator Parker’s call for zero tolerance toward predatory actors and then notes that Senator Parker asked important questions earlier, which the speaker says he will address.
Tan Parker — Referenced as sponsoring Senate Bill 2968, which the witness said addressed deceptive business practices.
invited witnesses, veterans, military families, and members of the public — The chair welcomes attendees and notes that all witnesses must register at the kiosk outside the hearing room.
Emma Barton — Senator Flores says Emma Barton is serving with him on this committee.
Dr. Stacy Haney — Named as a member of the first invited panel.
Dr. Mike Badlino — Named as a member of the first invited panel.
Dr. Scott Eflant — Named as a member of the first invited panel.
Dr. Montaigne Long — Dr. Montaigne Long is named as part of the first invited panel during the witness introductions; the transcript spelling is uncertain in both mentions.
Dr. Stacey Haney — The chair calls on Dr. Stacey Haney to testify, and she begins by introducing herself as the president of Midwestern State University, noting that other community representatives will also testify.
Dr. Stacey Haney — Dr. Stacey Haney testified about MSU Texas partnering with Catholic Charities Northwest to help a military spouse remain enrolled, complete coursework on campus, and later finish her degree online after joining her husband overseas. The chair then thanked Dr. Stacey and noted that questions would wait until the full panel was complete.
Kelly Hancock — Addressed as Vice Chair Hall; the transcript likely refers to Senator Kelly Hancock, though the spoken name is Hall.
Kelly Hancock — Identified as the recipient of lottery-generated funds for veteran services.
Kelly Hancock — The witness thanked Senator Kelly Hancock and the committee in connection with Senate Bill 1814.
Kelly Hancock — Kelly Hancock is referenced repeatedly as the sponsor of the bill tied to the database project, with additional mention that his office was involved in discussions about expanding the database.
Commander Joel Jimenez — Commander Joel Jimenez is identified as a panel member affiliated with the 41st Chapter of DAV of Wichita Falls.
Kirk Peterson — Kirk Peterson is introduced as being present with the city’s economic development arm.
Brandon Creighton — Named as the chancellor on whose behalf the speaker said the university system supports military-connected students.
Brandon Creighton — Chair Brandon Creighton asks Director Eastman to confirm a reported 80% reduction in suicides, then follows up by thanking the panel for their service and framing the discussion around the importance of successful transition and suicide reduction.
Mike Battalino — Introduced himself as president and CEO of the Sheppard Military Affairs Committee and a Wichita Falls city councilor; began testimony on military transition.
Angela Paxton — A senator identified as Parker was introduced and recognized for the record; likely Senator Tan Parker, though the transcript only says 'Senator Parker.'
Angela Paxton — Senator Parker is likely Senator Angela Paxton based on the member list and context, though the transcript says Parker.
Angela Paxton — The speaker continues addressing Senator Angela Paxton across a connected exchange, first responding to her point about predatory behavior, then returning to her comment, and finally thanking her for filing Senate Bill 2968 in the previous session.
Angela Paxton — Senator Angela Paxton (referred to as Senator Parker in the transcript) is referenced during a discussion about predatory conduct, then thanked by name for her work and testimony as the exchange closes.
Bryan Hughes — The transcript lists Senators Flores, Menéndez, and Parker; 'Flores' likely refers to Senator Pete Flores and 'Menéndez' to Senator José Menéndez.
Scott Efland — Introduced himself as a retired soldier, disabled veteran, and director of the military talent pipeline at Texas A&M University–Central Texas.
Montaigne Long — Montaigne Long introduced herself as Director of Veteran and Military Services for the Texas A&M University System and began testimony on military-to-civilian transition, specifically framing higher education as part of that transition.
Dr. Long — Dr. Long is thanked for testimony, and the discussion then returns to his ideas about transition planning: that the transition process begins well before separation and that it is more than just a job, requiring a meaningful connection.
Dr. Long — Offers to help the committee and is referenced in support of competency-based education and credit recognition.
Dr. Eflamp — The chair references Dr. Eflamp's testimony about technology.