MINUTES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON VETERAN AFFAIRS & BORDER SECURITY

Wednesday, March 27, 2019

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, March 27, 2019, in the Betty King Committee Room at Austin, Texas.

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MEMBERS PRESENT:		MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Donna Campbell, Chair		Senator Kel Seliger
Senator Bob Hall, Vice Chair
Senator Nathan Johnson
Senator Eddie Lucio, Jr.
Senator José Menéndez
Senator Charles Schwertner

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The chair called the meeting to order at 3:40 PM. The following business was transacted:

The following members arrived after the roll was called: Senator Menéndez and Senator Johnson.

The chair recognized retired U.S. Army veteran, Ginger Simonson, to lead the committee in the pledges of allegiance to the United States and Texas flags.

The chair laid out SB 822 and recognized the author, Senator Nelson, to explain the bill.

Senator Campbell moved that SB 822 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 2047 and recognized the author, Senator Zaffirini, to explain the bill.

Senator Campbell moved that SB 2047 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 2048 and recognized the author, Senator Zaffirini, to explain the bill.

Senator Campbell moved that SB 2048 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 2104 and recognized the author, Senator Zaffirini, to explain the bill.

Senator Campbell moved that SB 2104 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

At 3:54 PM roll call was taken, and a quorum was present.

Senator Lucio, Jr. moved adoption of the minutes from the previous hearing held on March 20, 2019; without objection, it was so ordered.

At 3:55 PM Senator Hall assumed the chair.

Senator Lucio, Jr. moved that SB 1443 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.

At 3:56 PM Senator Campbell resumed the chair.

Senator Hall moved that SB 1557 do not pass but that CSSB 1557 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.

The chair laid out SB 1597 and recognized the author, Senator Hall, to explain the bill.

Senator Campbell moved that SB 1597 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 1180 and recognized the author, Senator Menéndez, to explain the bill.

Senator Campbell moved that SB 1180 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair moved that public testimony be opened on SB 822.

Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached list.