MINUTES

 

SENATE COMMITTEE ON VETERAN AFFAIRS & MILITARY INSTALLATIONS

Wednesday, March 7, 2007

1:30 p.m. or upon adjournment

Betty King Committee Hearing Room, 2E.20

 

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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 7, 2007, in the Betty King Committee Hearing Room, 2E.20, at Austin, Texas.

 

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MEMBERS PRESENT:

 

MEMBERS ABSENT:

Senator Leticia Van de Putte, Chair

Senator Eliot Shapleigh

Senator Craig Estes

Senator Chris Harris

Senator Steve Ogden

 

None

 

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The Chair called the meeting to order at 1:35 p.m.  

 

The Chair recognized two children from Marcy Elementary to lead the committee on the Pledge of Allegiance.

 

The Chair postponed the roll call. The Chair recognized and welcomed the new member of the committee, Senator Harris.

 

The Chair laid out Senate Bill 251 and asked the author, Senator Harris to explain the bill. The Chair asked if there were any questions on the bill from the members. The Chair opened up public testimony on Senate Bill 251.

 

Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached list. 

 

The Chair asked that the clerk call the roll there being a quorum present. Clerk called the roll.

 

The Chair laid out the proposed committee rules of the Veteran Affairs and Military Installations Committee. Senator Harris moved adoption of the committee rules. There being no objection it was so ordered.

Mr. Craig went on to testify on SB 251.

 

The Chair closed Public Testimony and left the bill pending in committee.

 

The Chair recognized General Rodriguez of the Texas Military Forces to give an update on their status. The Chair recognized Chairman Ehrie of the Texas Military Preparedness Commission. 

 

The Chair recognized that Senator Shapleigh be shown present. The Chair asked that the General proceed with his status report.

 

The Chair recognized Senator Ogden and welcomed him to the committee. The Chair moved that Senator Ogden be shown present.

 

The Chair asked that the General proceed with his testimony.

 

The Chair asked if there were any other questions for General Rodriguez. There being none, the Chair called on Chairman Bill Ehrie to give his report.

 

The Chair recognized Senator Estes and welcomed him to the committee. The Chair moved that Senator Estes be shown present.

 

The Chair asked if there were any questions on Chairman Ehrie's report.

 

The Chair called up SB 371.

 

The Chair laid out SB 371 and recognized the author, Senator Williams, to explain the bill. 

 

The Chair called for questions on SB 371. The Chair opened public testimony on SB 371.

Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached list. 

 

The Chair moved that public testimony be closed on SB 371, without objection, it was so ordered.

 

Senator Van de Putte moved that SB 371 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The Chair re-called up Senate Bill 251, by Senator Harris.

 

Upon arrival of a quorum, Senator Estes moved that SB 251 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.  The Clerk called the roll. The motion carried with a record vote of 3 ayes, 0 nay, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent. 

 

At 3:35 p.m. Senator Estes moves that SB 251 be placed on the Local and Uncontested Calendar, without objection, it was so ordered.

 

At 3:36 pm Senator Estes assumed the Chair.

 

The Chair laid out Senate Bill 299 and recognized the author, Senator Van de Putte, to explain the bill.

 

The Chair asked if there were any questions on SB 299. There being none, the Chair moved to open public testimony on SB 299.

 

Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached list.   The Chair accepted written testimony on SB 299.

 

The Chair moved that public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

Senator Van de Putte moved that SB 299 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.  The Clerk called the roll. The motion carried with a record vote of 3 ayes, 0 nay, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent. 

 

Senator Van de Putte moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local and Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The Chair laid out Senate Bill 310 and recognized the author, Senator Van de Putte to explain the bill.

 

The Chair moved to open public testimony on the bill, 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 public testimony be closed, without objection, it was so ordered.

 

Senator Van de Putte moved that SB 310 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.  The Clerk called the roll. The motion carried with a record vote of 3 ayes, 0 nay, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent. 

 

Senator Van de Putte moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local and Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The Chair called up Senate Bill 311 and recognized the author, Senator Van de Putte, to explain the bill.

 

The Chair asked if there were any questions on SB 311. There being none, the Chair moved to open public testimony on SB 311.

 

Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached list. 

 

The Chair moved that public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The Chair moved that Senate Bill 311 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The Chair laid out SB 518 and recognized Senator Van de Putte, in the absence of the author, to explain the bill. 

 

Senator Van de Putte explained SB 518.

 

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 senate bill as filed.  Senator Van de Putte moved adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The Chair asked if there were any questions on CSSB 518. There being none, the Chair moved to open public testimony on CSSB 518.

 

Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached list. 

 

The Chair moved to close public testimony on CSSB 518. The Chair recognized Senator Van de Putte.

 

Senator Van de Putte moved that CSSB 518 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

At 3:55 p.m. Senator Shapleigh assumed the Chair. 

 

The Chair recalled an amendment to SB 311 and recognized the author, Senator Van de Putte, to explain the bill. 

 

The Chair recognized the author of the amendment to SB 311, Senator Van de Putte, to explain the amendment.

 

The Chair asked if there were any questions on the amendment to SB 311. There being none, Senator Van de Putte moved that the amendment be rolled into SB 311. Senator Van de Putte requested unanimous consent to incorporate amendments into the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.  Senator Van de Putte then moved that the new committee substitute be adopted; without objection, it was so ordered.  Senator Van de Putte moved that SB 311 do not pass but that CSSB 311 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.  The motion carried with a record vote of 3 ayes, 0 nay, 0 present not voting, and 2 absent. 

 

At 4:00 pm Senator Van de Putte resumed the Chair.

 

The Chair recognized Senator Shapleigh. Senator Shapleigh made a motion in writing that he be shown voting AYE on Senate Bills 251, 299, 311, and 310.

 

There being no further business, at 4:10 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

 

 

_____________________________

Crystal Slover-Papic, Clerk