MINUTES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON VETERAN AFFAIRS & MILITARY INSTALLATIONS

Wednesday, March 27, 2013

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 27, 2013, in the Betty King Committee Room at Austin, Texas.

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MEMBERS PRESENT:	MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Leticia Van de Putte, Chair	None
Senator Brian Birdwell, Vice Chair
Senator Donna Campbell
Senator Wendy Davis
Senator José Rodríguez

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The chair called the meeting to order at 3:05 PM. There being a quorum present, the following business was transacted:

The Chair recognized Noble Wilson, Senate Page from Senator Van de Putte’s Office, to recite the United States Pledge of Allegiance and the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of Texas.

Senator Campbell moved adoption of the minutes from the previous hearing held on March 20, 2013; without objection, it was so ordered.

At 3:13 PM Senator Davis assumed the chair.

The chair laid out SB 898 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 898 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 846 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 846 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 Rodríguez submitted a Motion in Writing requesting to be shown voting AYE on SB 846.

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 1373 and recognized Senator Van de Putte, in the absence of the author, 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 1373 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 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent. Senator Birdwell submitted a Motion in Writing requesting to be shown voting AYE on SB 1373.

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

Senator Van de Putte does request SB 1373 do move to the Full Senate Floor with the permission of Senator Hinojosa.  This request was seconded by Senator Campbell.

At 5:34 PM Senator Van de Putte resumed the chair.

The chair laid out SB 557 and recognized the author, Senator Davis, 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 Davis moved that SB 557 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 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent. Senator Birdwell submitted a Motion in Writing requesting to be showing voting AYE on SB 557.

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

The chair laid out SB 664 and recognized the author, Senator Davis, 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 Davis moved that SB 664 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 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent. Senator Birdwell submitted a Motion in Writing requesting to be showing voting AYE on SB 664.

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

Senator Van de Putte announced that the next hearing will be on Wednesday, April 3, 2013 and will focus on veterans education issues.

There being no further business, at 5:46 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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Cinda Johnson, Clerk