MINUTES
SENATE COMMITTEE ON VETERAN AFFAIRS & BORDER SECURITY
Wednesday, April 24, 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, April 24, 2019, in the Betty King Committee Room at Austin, Texas.
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MEMBERS PRESENT: |
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MEMBERS ABSENT: |
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Senator Donna Campbell, Chair |
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Senator Nathan Johnson |
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Senator Bob Hall, Vice Chair |
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Senator Eddie Lucio, Jr. |
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Senator José Menéndez |
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Senator Charles Schwertner |
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Senator Kel Seliger |
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The chair called the meeting to order at 5:45 PM. There being a quorum present, the following business was transacted:
The chair recognized Capt. Briggs of the Texas Army National Guard to lead the committee in the pledges of allegiance to the United States and Texas flags.
Senator Hall moved adoption of the minutes from the previous hearings held on April 3, 2019, and April 8, 2019; without objection, it was so ordered.
The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 2131.
Senator Menéndez sent up a committee substitute. The chair recognized Senator Menéndez to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed. Senator Menéndez moved adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.
Senator Hall moved that SB 2131 do not pass but that CSSB 2131 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 5 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 2 absent.
Senator Hall 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 1180.
Senator Menéndez sent up a committee substitute. The chair recognized Senator Menéndez to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed. Senator Menéndez moved adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.
Senator Hall moved that SB 1180 do not pass but that CSSB 1180 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 Menéndez moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.
The chair laid out SCR 59 and recognized the author, Senator Birdwell, to explain the bill.
The chair moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered.
Senator Hall moved that SCR 59 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 Menéndez moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.
The chair laid out HB 114 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Birdwell, 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 Hall moved that HB 114 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 Hall moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.
The chair laid out HB 1326 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Hall, to explain the bill.
Senator Campbell sent up a committee substitute. The chair recognized Senator Hall to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the house bill as engrossed. 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 Seliger moved that HB 1326 do not pass but that CSHB 1326 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.
At 6:04 PM Senator Hall assumed the chair.
The chair laid out HB 306 and recognized Senator Campbell, in the absence of the Senate sponsor, 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 house bill as engrossed. 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 Menéndez moved that HB 306 do not pass but that CSHB 306 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, 2 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.
At 6:11 PM Senator Campbell resumed the chair.
Senator Campbell moved to adopt a motion in writing showing Senator Lucio
voting “aye” on SB 2131, SB 1180, HB 306, SCR 59, HB 114, and HB 1326; without
objection, it was so ordered.
Senator Campbell moved to adopt a motion in writing showing Senator Schwertner voting “aye” on SB 1180, SCR 59, HB 114, and HB 1326 and voting “nay” on HB 306; without objection, it was so ordered.
There being no further business, at 6:15 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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Elliot Smith, Clerk