MINUTES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON VETERAN AFFAIRS & MILITARY INSTALLATIONS

Wednesday, April 1, 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, April 1, 2015, in the Betty King Committee Room at Austin, Texas.

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MEMBERS PRESENT:	MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Donna Campbell, Chair	Senator Eddie Lucio, Jr.
Senator Konni Burton, Vice Chair
Senator Brian Birdwell
Senator Sylvia Garcia
Senator Bob Hall
Senator José Rodríguez

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Senator Brian Birdwell, the acting chair, called the meeting to order at 1:18 PM. There being a quorum present, the following business was transacted:

The chair recognized Major (Ret.) Jim Cunningham to lead the committee in the Pledges to the United States and Texas flags.

The chair laid out SB 1879 and recognized the author, Senator Zaffirini, to explain the bill.

At 1:28 PM Senator Burton arrived and assumed the chair.

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

At 1:33 PM Senator Campbell arrived and assumed the chair.

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 Burton moved that SB 1879 do not pass but that CSSB 1879 be reported back 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 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 503 and recognized the author, Senator Perry, to explain the bill.

The chair sent up a committee substitute and recognized Senator Perry to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed. Senator Hall 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 Hall moved that SB 503 do not pass but that CSSB 503 be reported back 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 moved adoption of the minutes from the previous hearing held on March 18, 2015; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 1304 and recognized the author, Senator Menéndez, 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 1304 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 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 1305 and recognized the author, Senator Menéndez, 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 Birdwell moved that SB 1305 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 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 1307 and recognized the author, Senator Menéndez, 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 Burton moved that SB 1307 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 Campbell moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

At 2:15 PM Senator Burton resumed the chair.

The chair laid out SB 1824 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 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 1824 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 Campbell moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out HB 437 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Campbell, 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 Burton moved that HB 437 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 1358 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 Burton moved that SB 1358 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

At 2:43 PM Senator Campbell resumed the chair.

There being no further business, at 2:43 PM Senator Campbell moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of the chair. Without objection, it was so ordered.

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Senator Donna Campbell, Chair

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Bailey Olderog, Clerk