Meeting Minutes Display

MINUTES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON VETERAN AFFAIRS & MILITARY INSTALLATIONS

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

1:30 PM or upon adjournment

Betty King Committee Room

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Pursuant to a notice posted in accordance with Senate Rule 11.10 and 11.18, a public hearing of the Senate Committee on Veteran Affairs & Military Installations was held on Wednesday, March 16, 2011, in the Betty King Committee Room at Austin, Texas.

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MEMBERS PRESENT:		MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Leticia Van de Putte, Chair		Senator Wendy Davis
Senator Brian Birdwell, Vice Chair
Senator Craig Estes
Senator Jose Rodriguez

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The chair called the meeting to order at 1:32 PM. There being a quorum present, the following business was transacted:

The following members arrived after the roll was called:

Senator Craig Estes

Senator Davis was granted leave of absence for today on account of important business.

The chair recognized Brigadier General Joyce Stevens to lead the committee in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Senator Birdwell moved adoption of the committee rules. There being no objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 34 and recognized the author, Senator Zaffirini, 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 Van de Putte moved that SB 34 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 58 and recognized the author, Senator Zaffirini, 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 Birdwell moved that SB 58 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 Birdwell moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 356 and recognized the author, Senator Watson, 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 Rodriguez moved that SB 356 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 Rodriguez moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 451 and recognized the author, Senator Ellis, to explain the bill.

Witnesses 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 Van de Putte moved that SB 451 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 966 and recognized Senator Rodriguez, in the absence of the author, to explain the bill.

Senator Rodriguez sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Rodriguez to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed. Senator Rodriguez 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.

Senator Rodriguez moved that SB 966 do not pass but that CSSB 966 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 nays, 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 431 and recognized Senator Estes, in the absence of the author, to explain the bill.

Witnesses 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 431 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 Estes moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

At 2:30 PM Senator Birdwell assumed the chair.

The chair laid out SB 639 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 senate bill as filed. Senator Van de Putte 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.

Senator Van de Putte moved that SB 639 do not pass but that CSSB 639 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 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.

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

The chair laid out SB 99 and recognized the author, Senator Van de Putte, 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 Van de Putte moved that SB 99 do not pass but that CSSB 99 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 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 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 3:12 PM Senator Van de Putte resumed the chair.

The chair recognized staff of members on the Senate Committee of Veteran Affairs and Military Installations.

The chair announced Vietnam Veterans Day to be scheduled for March 29, 2011.

There being no further business, at 3:15 PM Senator Van de Putte moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of the chair. Without objection, it was so ordered.

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Senator Leticia Van de Putte, Chair

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Felicia Wright, Clerk