MINUTES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON VETERAN AFFAIRS & BORDER SECURITY

Wednesday, April 5, 2017

1:30 PM or upon adjournment

Betty King Committee Room

*****

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 & Border Security was held on Wednesday, April 5, 2017, in the Betty King Committee Room at Austin, Texas.

*****

MEMBERS PRESENT:	MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Donna Campbell, Chair	None
Senator Don Huffines, Vice Chair
Senator Dawn Buckingham
Senator Bob Hall
Senator Eddie Lucio, Jr.
Senator José Rodríguez
Senator Carlos Uresti

*****

The chair called the meeting to order at 2:33 PM. There being a quorum present, the following business was transacted:

The Chair recognized Captain Kenneth Kovach to lead the committee in the pledges of allegiance to the United States and Texas flags.

Senator Huffines moved adoption of the minutes from the previous hearing held on March 29, 2017; without objection, it was so ordered.

The following members arrived after the roll was called: Senator Hall.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 840 and recognized the author, Senator Zaffirini, for a motion.

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

Senator Lucio moved that SB 840 do not pass but that CSSB 840 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 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 SB 1968 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 Campbell moved that SB 1968 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Huffines assumed the chair.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 587 and recognized the author, Senator Campbell, for a motion.

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.

Senator Campbell moved that SB 587 do not pass but that CSSB 587 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 resumed the chair.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 588 and recognized the author, Senator Lucio, for a motion.

Senator Lucio, Jr. moved that SB 588 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 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 SB 1152 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 1152 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 544 and recognized the author, Senator Lucio, 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.

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 544 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Huffines assumed the chair.

The chair laid out SB 1843 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.

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 Huffines moved that SB 1843 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 1901 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 Huffines moved that SB 1901 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Campbell resumed the chair.

The chair laid out SB 1622 and recognized the author, Senator Uresti, to explain the bill.

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

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 1622 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 260 and recognized the author, Senator Huffines, for a motion.

Senator Huffines moved that SB 260 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, 3 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.

The chair laid out SB 1855 and recognized the author, Senator Uresti, to explain the bill.

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

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 1855 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 1457 and recognized the author, Senator Buckingham, 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 1457 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 441 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 441 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

There being no further business, at 4:32 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

__________________________________________

Carrie Smith, Clerk