RP 43

Relating to the creation and maintenance of the Base Realignment and Closure Response Strike Force.

WHEREAS, the United States Department of Defense (DOD) has received approval from the U.S. Congress through the Base Realignment and Closure Act of 1990 (Pub. L. 101-510, Part A of Title XXIX of 104 Stat. 1808, 10 U.S.C. 2687) to recommend the closure or realignment of approximately twenty percent of all military installations throughout the United States through the formal Base Realignment and Closure process ("BRAC"); and

WHEREAS, the State of Texas has 18 major military installations supported by 45 active defense communities and a highly significant defense industry presence, all of which contribute approximately $77 billion a year to the economy of the state; and

WHEREAS, the DOD announced on May 13, 2005, its recommendations for base realignment and closure actions; and

WHEREAS, with Texas installations included on the DOD's preliminary list of bases targeted for realignment or closure, Texas must engage in an aggressive and coordinated statewide effort to prevent the loss of these military bases and corresponding civilian jobs; and

WHEREAS, Texas must also be prepared to respond to the expansion of military bases and missions, increases or reductions in federal expenditures and the resulting job growth or losses to ensure Texas' long-term economic well-being;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Rick Perry, Governor of Texas, by virtue of the power and authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the State of Texas as Governor and Chief Executive Officer, do hereby order the following:

Creation. The Base Realignment and Closure Response Strike Force ("Strike Force") shall be created and maintained.

Mission. The primary mission of the Strike Force shall be to identify and engage in efforts that may prevent the closure of Texas military installations. The Strike Force shall coordinate with impacted communities and perform the following:

(1) Review and analyze the data used by the Department of Defense to formulate closure and realignment proposals that impact Texas military installations;

(2) Seek revisions of the DOD recommendations to the Base Realignment and Closure Commission which negatively impact the state;

(3) Identify actions that can be taken by the state to alleviate concerns that caused the DOD to recommend closure or realignment;

(4) Identify actions to assist defense-dependent communities that have been negatively affected by BRAC 2005 by implementing necessary economic redevelopment initiatives; and

(5) Identify actions to assist defense-dependent communities that have been positively impacted by BRAC 2005 in order to accommodate new infrastructure and services requirements.

Designated representatives from each member agency, board or commission shall participate in called meetings to discuss actions required to assist defense communities and provide oral status reports to the Chair regarding actions taken.

Structure and Rules. The Strike Force shall consist of the heads of the following state agencies, boards, commissions, or their designees:

Adjutant General's Department;

Bond Review Board;

General Land Office;

Texas Office of State-Federal Relations;

Office of the Attorney General;

Public Utility Commission of Texas;

Texas Commission on Environmental Quality;

Texas Department of Information Resources;

Texas Department of Transportation;

Texas Education Agency;

Texas Historical Commission;

Texas Military Preparedness Commission;

Texas Public Finance Authority;

Texas Water Development Board; and

Texas Workforce Commission.

The Governor may appoint additional members of the Strike Force.

All members of the Strike Force shall serve at the pleasure of the Governor.

The Chair of the Strike Force shall be appointed by the Governor.

The Strike Force will be organized and its tasks determined by the Chair to accomplish stated Strike Force objectives.

Each state member organization will appoint a primary representative and an alternate to represent his or her agency and provide support on base realignment and closure related issues as required by the Chair.

Strike Force representatives may be organized into a team or teams to respond to specific BRAC data issues or requirements necessary to seek reconsideration of a DOD proposal in question.

The Strike Force, all or in part as specified by the Chair, will meet at the call of the Chair and may be disbanded at the discretion of the Governor.

All board or commission members serve without compensation except for reimbursement of pre-approved travel expenses. Approval and reimbursement must be made by the member's employing agency.

The Texas Military Preparedness Commission (TMPC) will provide routine staff support to the Strike Force.

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.

Given under my hand this the 13th day of May, 2005.

Rick Perry, Governor

TRD-200502414

RP 44

Relating to transition of functions from the Texas Workers' Compensation Commission to the Texas Department of Insurance.

WHEREAS, the 79th Texas Legislature passed House Bill No. 7 relating to the reform of the workers' compensation system in Texas, and as part of those reforms abolished the Texas Workers' Compensation Commission ("TWCC") and transferred certain identified functions to the Texas Department of Insurance ("TDI"); and

WHEREAS, House Bill No. 7 provided for the creation of the division of workers' compensation at the TDI to handle functions related to the operation of the workers' compensation system in Texas; and

WHEREAS, the division of workers' compensation is created effective September 1, 2005, and a commissioner of workers' compensation is to be named no later than October 1, 2005; and

WHEREAS, in order to provide for the complete transition of authority, property, staff, and operations to the division of workers' compensation within TDI no later than February 28, 2006; and

WHEREAS, House Bill No. 7 has been signed into law to be effective September 1, 2005;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Rick Perry, Governor of Texas, by virtue of the power and authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the State of Texas as Governor and Chief Executive Officer do hereby order the following:

The TDI shall immediately begin coordinating with TWCC commissioners and executive management to effectuate an orderly transfer of functions, staff, property, and operations to the workers' compensation division at TDI.

The TDI commissioner, or his designee, shall provide resources, guidance, and direction in effectuating this transition effort.

The TWCC shall designate a point of contact for transition efforts.

TWCC commissioners, executive management, and staff shall immediately offer all due assistance and cooperation to the TDI commissioner, or his designee, to effectuate an efficient transition.

The TDI shall complete this transition no later than February 28, 2006, and shall present periodic status reports to the Office of the Governor and a final status report to the commissioner of the workers' compensation division upon his or her appointment, including recommendations for further action.

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.

Given under my hand this the 9th day of June, 2005.

Rick Perry, Governor

TRD-200502413