MINUTES SENATE COMMITTEE ON VETERAN AFFAIRS & MILITARY INSTALLATIONS Wednesday, April 13, 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, April 13, 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 1:37 p.m. There being a quorum present, the following business was transacted: Senator Estes moved adoption of the minutes from the previous hearing held on March 30, 2005; without objection, it was so ordered. The chair recognized Councilman Enrique Barrera, who led the Committee in the Pledge of Allegiance. The chair laid out SB 1186 and recognized the author, Senator Nelson, to explain the bill. Senator Estes sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Nelson to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the bill as filed. Senator Fraser 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. The chair moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered. The following members arrived after the roll was called: Senator Kel Seliger Senator Eliot Shapleigh Senator Fraser moved that SB 1186 do not pass but that CSSB 1186 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 5 ayes, 0 nay, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent. Senator Fraser moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered. At 2:03 p.m. Senator Estes assumed the chair. The chair laid out SB 579 and recognized the author, Senator Van de Putte, to explain the bill. Senator Van de Putte moved that SB 579 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 5 ayes, 0 nay, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent. Senator Fraser moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered. At 2:06 p.m. Senator Van de Putte resumed the chair. The chair advised the Committee members about a new substitute for SB 774. Senator Van de Putte moved that SB 774 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. The chair laid out SB 1735 and recognized the author, Senator Shapleigh, to explain the bill. Senator Shapleigh moved that SB 1735 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. The chair laid out SB 1734 and recognized the author, Senator Shapleigh, to explain the bill. Senator Shapleigh moved that SB 1734 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. The subcommittee report on SB 1481 was laid out by Senator Shapleigh. Senator Shapleigh was recognized to explain the subcommittee report on SB 1481. Senator Van de Putte then moved adoption of the subcommittee report; there being no objection, it was so ordered. 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 sent up Committee Amendment 1 and moved adoption; without objection, the amendment was adopted. Senator Shapleigh requested unanimous consent to roll the amendments into a committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Shapleigh then moved that the committee substitute be adopted; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Shapleigh moved that SB 1481 do not pass but that CSSB 1481 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 5 ayes, 0 nay, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent. At 2:30 p.m. Senator Estes assumed the chair. The chair laid out SB 1714 and recognized the author, Senator Van de Putte, to explain the bill. Senator Van de Putte sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Van de Putte to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the bill as filed. 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. At 3:25 p.m. Senator Van de Putte resumed the chair. Senator Van de Putte moved that SB 1714 be left pending to await a quorum; without objection, it was so ordered. Upon arrival of a quorum, Senator Van de Putte sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Van de Putte to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the bill as filed. Senator Van de Putte moved adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Van de Putte moved that SB 1714 do not pass but that CSSB 1714 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 5 ayes, 0 nay, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent. Senator Van de Putte moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered. At 3:26 p.m. Senator Estes assumed the chair. The subcommittee report on SB 1090 was laid out by Senator Van de Putte. Senator Van de Putte was recognized to explain the subcommittee report on SB 1090. 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. At 3:35 p.m. Senator Van de Putte resumed the chair. Senator Shapleigh then moved adoption of the subcommittee report; there being no objection, it was so ordered. Senator Shapleigh moved that SB 1090 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. Senator Shapleigh withdrew the motion to lay out a committee substitute. Senator Shapleigh sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Shapleigh to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the bill as filed. Senator Shapleigh moved adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Shapleigh moved that SB 1090 do not pass but that CSSB 1090 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 5 ayes, 0 nay, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent. Senator Van de Putte moved that SB 774 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. There being no further business, at 3:40 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