MINUTES

 

SENATE COMMITTEE ON VETERAN AFFAIRS & MILITARY INSTALLATIONS

Wednesday, April 25, 2007

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 25, 2007, in the Betty King Committee Hearing Room, 2E.20, at Austin, Texas.

 

*****

 

MEMBERS PRESENT:		MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Leticia Van de Putte Senator Eliot Shapleigh Senator Craig Estes Senator Chris Harris		Senator Steve Ogden

 

*****

 

The Chair called the meeting to order at 3:54 p.m.  There being a quorum present, the following business was transacted: 

 

Austin Valentine of the Senate Research Center led the Committee in the Pledge of Allegiance.

 

Senator Shapleigh moved adoption of the minutes from the previous hearing held on April 11, 2007; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The Chair laid out House Bill 1260 and recognized the Senate Sponsor, Senator Hinojosa, to explain the bill.  Senator Estes sent up the committee substitute to HB 1260. The Chair recognized Senator Hinojosa to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the house bill as engrossed. Senator Estes moved adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The Chair opened public testimony on CSHB 1260.

 

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

 

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

 

 

 

Senator Estes moved that HB 1260 do not pass but that CSHB 1260 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 and Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The Chair laid out House Bill 233 and recognized the Senate Sponsor, Senator Estes, to explain the bill.

 

The Chair opened public testimony on HB 233.

 

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

 

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

 

Senator Harris moved that HB 233 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 and Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The Chair laid out House Bill 2130 and recognized the Senate Sponsor, Senator Harris, to explain the bill.

 

The Chair opened public testimony on HB 2130.

 

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

 

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

 

Senator Harris moved that HB 2130 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 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent. Senator Harris moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local and Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The Chair laid out HB 2105 and recognized Senator Estes, in the absence of the Senate Sponsor, to explain the bill. 

 

The Chair opened public testimony on HB 2105.

 

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

 

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

 

 

 

Senator Estes moved that HB 2105 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. 

 

Senator Estes assumed the Chair.

 

The Chair laid out House Bill 1416 and recognized the Senate Sponsor, Senator Van de Putte, to explain the bill.

 

The Chair opened public testimony on HB 1416.

 

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

 

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

 

Senator Harris moved that HB 1416 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 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent. Senator Harris moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local and Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The Chair laid out House Bill 1852 and recognized the Senate Sponsor, Senator Van de Putte, to explain the bill.  Senator Van de Putte sent up a committee substitute to HB 1852. The Chair recognized Senator Van de Putte  to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the house bill as engrossed.  Senator Van de Putte moved adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The Chair opened public testimony on CSHB 1852.

 

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

 

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

 

Senator Van de Putte moved that HB 1852  do not pass but that CSHB 1852 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 Harris moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local and Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The Chair laid out House Concurrent Resolution 139 and recognized the Senate Sponsor, Senator Van de Putte, to explain the bill.

 

The Chair opened public testimony on HCR 139.

 

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

 

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

 

Senator Van de Putte moved that HCR 139 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 Van de Putte resumed the Chair.

 

There being no further business, at 4:37 p.m. Senator Harris moved that the Committee be adjourned; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

 

 

 

 

_____________________________

Senator Leticia Van de Putte, Chair

 

 

_____________________________

Crystal Slover-Papic, Clerk