MINUTES

 

SENATE COMMITTEE ON VETERAN AFFAIRS & MILITARY INSTALLATIONS

Wednesday, March 11, 2015

11:30 AM 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 11, 2015, in the Betty King Committee Room at Austin, Texas.

 

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MEMBERS PRESENT:

 

MEMBERS ABSENT:

Senator Donna Campbell, Chair

 

None

Senator Konni Burton, Vice Chair

 

 

Senator Brian Birdwell

 

 

Senator Sylvia Garcia

 

 

Senator Bob Hall

 

 

Senator Eddie Lucio, Jr.

 

 

Senator José Rodríguez

 

 

 

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The Chair called the meeting to order at 12:36 PM. There being a quorum present, the following business was transacted:

 

The Chair led the committee in the Pledges to the United States and Texas flags.

 

The subcommittee report on SCR 5 was laid out by the Chair. Senator Birdwell was recognized to explain the subcommittee report on SCR 5.

 

Senator Birdwell moved to amend the subcommittee report and sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Birdwell to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as reported by the subcommittee. Senator Birdwell moved adoption of the amended subcommittee report to include the  committee substitute. The motion carried with a record vote of 5 ayes, 2 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.

Senator Birdwell moved that SCR 5 do not pass but that the committee substitute adopted in lieu thereof be reported to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 5 ayes, 2 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.

 

Senator Campbell moved adoption of the minutes from the previous hearing held on March 4, 2015; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 55. Senator Lucio, Jr. moved that SB 55 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 7 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.

 

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

 

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 169 and recognized Senator Lucio, Jr. to explain the bill.

 

Senator Lucio, Jr. sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Lucio, Jr. to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed. Senator Lucio, Jr. moved adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

Senator Lucio, Jr. moved that SB 169 do not pass but that the committee substitute adopted in lieu thereof be reported to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 7 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.

 

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

 

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 389 and recognized the author, Senator Rodríguez, to explain the bill. Senator Rodríguez moved adoption of the committee substitute for SB 389 as previously laid out in the March 4, 2015 hearing.

 

Senator Rodríguez moved that SB 389 do not pass but that the committee substitute adopted in lieu thereof be reported to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 7 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.

 

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

 

At 1:03 PM Senator Burton assumed the chair.

 

The chair laid out SB 805 and recognized the author, Senator Campbell, 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 Campbell moved that SB 805 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 7 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.

 

The chair laid out SB 806 and recognized the author, Senator Campbell, 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 Campbell moved that SB 806 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 7 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 806, without objection, it was so ordered.

 

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

 

The chair laid out SB 807 and recognized the author, Senator Campbell, to explain the bill.

 

Senator Campbell sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Campbell to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed. Senator Campbell 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 Campbell moved that SB 807 and CSSB 807 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out SB 832 and recognized the author, Senator Campbell, 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 Campbell moved that SB 832 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 7 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 832.

 

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

 

The chair laid out SB 833 and recognized the author, Senator Campbell, 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 Campbell moved that SB 833 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 7 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 833.

 

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

 

At 2:03 PM Senator Campbell resumed the chair.

 

The chair laid out SB 660 and recognized the author, Senator Rodríguez, 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 Campbell moved that SB 660 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 6 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.

 

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

 

The chair laid out SB 713 and recognized the author, Senator Hall, 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 Campbell moved that SB 713 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 7 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 713.

 

The chair laid out SB 835 and recognized the author, Senator Taylor, Van, 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 Garcia moved that SB 835 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 6 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent. Senator Birdwell submitted a motion in writing requesting to be shown voting aye on SB 835.

 

The chair laid out SB 850 and recognized the author, Senator Taylor, Van, 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 Campbell moved that SB 850 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

There being no further business, at 3:22 PM Senator Campbell moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of the chair. Without objection, it was so ordered.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

__________________________________________

Senator Donna Campbell, Chair

 

 

__________________________________________

Bailey Olderog, Clerk