MINUTES

 

SENATE COMMITTEE ON VETERAN AFFAIRS & BORDER SECURITY

Wednesday, May 8, 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, May 8, 2019, in the Betty King Committee Room at Austin, Texas.

 

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MEMBERS PRESENT:		MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Donna Campbell, Chair		None
Senator Bob Hall, Vice Chair
Senator Nathan Johnson
Senator Eddie Lucio, Jr.
Senator José Menéndez
Senator Charles Schwertner
Senator Kel Seliger

 

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The chair called the meeting to order at 1:53 PM. There being a quorum present, the following business was transacted:

 

The following members arrived after the roll was called: Senator Lucio and Senator Schwertner.

 

The chair recognized Army National Guard Member, Sgt. Brandon Gajeton, 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 hearing held on April 24, 2019; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 1325.

 

Senator Campbell moved that SB 1325 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 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 929 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Watson, to explain the bill.

 

Senator Campbell moved that HB 929 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out HB 971 and recognized Senator Menéndez, in the absence of the Senate sponsor, to explain the bill.

 

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

 

The chair laid out HB 2530 and recognized Senator Menéndez, in the absence of the Senate sponsor, to explain the bill.

 

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

 

The chair moved that the public testimony on HB 971 be closed; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

Senator Campbell moved that HB 971 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair moved that the public testimony on HB 2530 be closed; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

Senator Campbell moved that HB 2530 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out HB 833 and recognized the Senate sponsor, 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 HB 833 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out HB 1725 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Creighton, to explain the bill.

 

The chair moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair opened public testimony on HB 929.

 

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.

 

At 2:32 PM Senator Hall assumed the chair. 

 

The chair laid out HB 2119 and recognized the Senate sponsor, 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 Hall moved that HB 2119 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out HCR 74 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Campbell, to explain the bill.

 

The chair moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

Senator Hall moved that HCR 74 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

At 2:38 PM Senator Campbell assumed the chair.  

 

The chair laid out HB 971.

 

Senator Campbell moved that HB 971 be reported favorably 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 HB 2530.

 

Senator Campbell moved that HB 2530 be reported favorably 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 HB 929.

 

Senator Campbell moved that HB 929 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 5 ayes, 1 nay, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.

 

The chair laid out HB 833.

 

Senator Campbell moved that HB 833 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.

 

At 2:43 PM Senator Hall assumed the chair.

 

The chair laid out HB 2119.

 

Senator Hall moved that HB 2119 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 Seliger moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair laid out HCR 74.

 

Senator Hall moved that HCR 74 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 moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

At 2:45 PM Senator Campbell assumed the chair.

 

Senator Campbell moved to adopt a motion in writing showing Senator Lucio, Jr. voting “aye” on SB 1325; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

Senator Campbell moved to adopt a motion in writing showing Senator Schwertner voting “aye” on SB 1325; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

There being no further business, at 2:45 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

 

 

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Elliot Smith, Clerk