MINUTES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON VETERAN AFFAIRS & BORDER SECURITY

Wednesday, April 26, 2017

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 & Border Security was held on Wednesday, April 26, 2017, in the Betty King Committee Room at Austin, Texas.

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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

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The chair called the meeting to order at 3:08 PM. There being a quorum present, the following business was transacted:

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

The Chair recognized Travis County VSO and Army Veteran, Olie Pope, 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 April 19, 2017; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 1679 and recognized the author, Senator Lucio, for a motion.

Senator Lucio, Jr. moved adoption of the committee substitute for SB 1679; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Lucio, Jr. moved that SB 1679 do not pass but that CSSB 1679 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, 1 nay, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 1936 and recognized the author, Senator Hughes, for a motion. 

Senator Huffines moved adoption of the committee substitute for SB 1936; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Huffines moved that SB 1936 do not pass but that CSSB 1936 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, 1 nay, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.

Senator Huffines assumed the chair.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 1845 and recognized the author, Senator Campbell, for a motion.

Senator Campbell moved that SB 1845 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 Campbell moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Campbell resumed the chair.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 1018 and recognized the author, Senator Hughes, to explain the bill.

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

Senator Huffines moved adoption of the committee substitute for SB 1018; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Huffines moved that SB 1018 do not pass but that CSSB 1018 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, 3 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.

The chair laid out SB 1676 and recognized the author, Senator Lucio, to explain the bill.

Senator Huffines 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 Lucio moved adoption of the committee substitute for SB 1676; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Lucio, Jr. moved that SB 1676 do not pass but that CSSB 1676 be reported back 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 SB 1768 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 1768 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SCR 51 and recognized the author, Senator Creighton, to explain the resolution.

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 Lucio, Jr. moved that SCR 51 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.

Having been present when a quorum was established, Senator Uresti requested a Motion in Writing with unanimous consent to be shown voting AYE on CSSB 1679, CSSB 1936, SB 1845, and CSSB 1676. Senator Uresti requested a Motion in Writing with unanimous consent to be shown voting NAY on CSSB 1018; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SCR 52 and recognized the author, Senator Creighton, to explain the resolution.

Senator Lucio, Jr. sent up a committee substitute.  The chair recognized Senator Creighton 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 adoption of the committee substitute for SCR 52; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Lucio moved that SCR 52 do not pass but that CSSCR 52 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 Huffines moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

There being no further business, at 3:52 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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Carrie Smith, Clerk