MINUTES SENATE COMMITTEE ON VETERAN AFFAIRS & MILITARY INSTALLATIONS Wednesday, March 2, 2005 1:30 p.m. or upon adjournment Betty King Committee Hearing Room, 2E.20 ***** Pursuant to a notice posted in accordance with Senate Rule 11.18, a public hearing of the Senate Committee on Veteran Affairs & Military Installations was held on Wednesday, March 2, 2005, in the Betty King Committee Hearing Room, 2E.20, at Austin, Texas. ***** MEMBERS PRESENT: MEMBERS ABSENT: Senator Leticia Van de Putte None Senator Craig Estes Senator Troy Fraser Senator Kel Seliger Senator Eliot Shapleigh ***** The chair called the meeting to order at 3:35 p.m. There being a quorum present, the following business was transacted: The following members arrived after the roll was called: Senator Seliger arrived at 3:36, and Senator Shapleigh arrived at 3:45. The chair recognized Capt. Morgan Little, who led the Committee in the Pledge of Allegiance. Senator Estes moved adoption of the minutes from the previous hearing held on February 23, 2005; without objection, it was so ordered. The chair laid out SB 144 and recognized the author, Senator Wentworth, to explain the bill. Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached list. The chair moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Estes moved that SB 144 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 4 ayes, 0 nay, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent. Senator Estes moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered. The chair laid out SB 143 and recognized the author, Senator Wentworth, to explain the bill. Senator Shapleigh sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Wentworth to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the bill as filed. Senator Estes moved adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached list. At 3:53 p.m. Senator Estes assumed the chair. At 4:01 p.m. Senator Van de Putte resumed the chair. The chair moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Shapleigh moved that SB 143 do not pass but that CSSB 143 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 4 ayes, 0 nay, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent. Senator Estes moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered. The chair laid out SB 212 and recognized the author, Senator Shapleigh, to explain the bill. Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached list. The chair moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Shapleigh moved that SB 212 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 4 ayes, 0 nay, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent. There being no further business, at 4:15 p.m. Senator Van de Putte moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of the chair. Without objection, it was so ordered. _____________________________ Senator Leticia Van de Putte, Chair _____________________________ Sara Gonzalez, Clerk