MINUTES
SENATE COMMITTEE ON VETERAN AFFAIRS & BORDER SECURITY
Tuesday, March 30, 2021
8:30 AM
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 Tuesday, March 30, 2021, 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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None |
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Senator Bob Hall, Vice Chair |
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Senator César Blanco |
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Senator Sarah Eckhardt |
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Senator Roland Gutierrez |
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Senator Kel Seliger |
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Senator Larry Taylor |
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The chair called the meeting to order at 8:31 AM. There being a quorum present at 8:34 AM., the following business was transacted:
The following members arrived after the roll was called:
Senator Sarah Eckhardt, Senator Roland Gutierrez, Senator Kel Seliger.
The chair recognized Drew Eisenamn to lead the Committee in the Pledges to the United States and Texas flags’.
Senator Hall moved adoption of the committee rules. There being no objection, it was so ordered.
The chair laid out SB 460 and recognized the author, Senator Lucio, to explain the bill.
No witnesses testified or registered on the bill.
The chair moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered.
Senator Campbell moved that SB 460 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.
The chair laid out SB 1179 and recognized the author, Senator Birdwell, 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 1179 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.
At 8:54 AM Senator Hall assumed the chair.
The chair laid out SB 697 and recognized the author, Senator Schwertner, to explain the bill.
Senator Hall sent up a committee substitute.
The chair recognized Senator Schwertner 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 Hall moved that SB 697 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.
The chair called the following individuals to provide invited testimony: Major General Tracy Norris, the Texas Adjutant General, Mr. Keith Graf, Executive Director of the Texas Military Preparedness Commission, Colonel Tom Palladino, Executive Director of the Texas Veterans Commission, Mr. Jim Brennan, Legislative Director of the Texas Coalition of Veterans Organizations.
At 9:33 AM Senator Campbell resumed the chair.
The chair laid out SB 1233 and recognized the author, Senator Seliger, 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 1233 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.
The chair laid out SB 780 and recognized Senator Blanco, in the absence of the author, 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 780 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.
The chair laid out SB 623 and recognized the author, Senator Blanco, to explain the bill.
Senator Blanco sent up a committee substitute.
The chair recognized Senator Blanco 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 623 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.
The chair laid out SB 1093 and recognized the author, Senator Creighton, 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 1093 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.
The chair laid out SB 886 and recognized the author, Senator Blanco, 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 886 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.
At 10:35 AM Senator Hall assumed the chair.
The chair laid out SJR 35 and recognized the author, Senator Campbell, to explain the bill.
The chair laid out SB 611 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 Hall moved that SB 611/SJR 35 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.
The chair laid out SB 791 and recognized the author, Senator Campbell, to explain the bill.
No witnesses testified or registered on the bill.
Senator Hall moved that SB 791 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.
The chair laid out SB 792 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 Hall moved that SB 792 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.
The chair laid out SB 793 and recognized the author, Senator Campbell, 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 SB 793 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.
The chair laid out SB 794 and recognized the author, Senator Campbell, to explain the bill.
No witnesses testified or registered on the bill.
The chair moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered.
Senator Hall moved that SB 794 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.
The chair laid out SB 795 and recognized the author, Senator Campbell, 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 SB 795 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.
The chair laid out SB 937 and recognized the author, Senator Campbell, 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 SB 937 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.
The chair laid out SB 1441 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 Hall moved that SB 1441 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.
There being no further business, at 11:02 AM Senator Hall moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of the chair. Without objection, it was so ordered.
Senator Campbell suspended the posting rules, Senate Rules 11.10 and 11.18, so that the committee could reconvene in the Senate Press Room, 2E.9.
At 5:19 PM Senator Campbell reconvened the meeting.
The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 780.
Senator Hall moved that SB 780 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 as a matter of pending business SB 460.
Senator Hall moved that SB 460 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 as a matter of pending business SB 1179.
Senator Taylor moved that SB 1179 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 Eckhardt 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 697.
Senator Gutierrez moved that the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.
Senator Gutierrez moved that SB 697 do not pass but that CSSB 697 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 Blanco 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 1093.
Senator Hall moved that SB 1093 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 as a matter of pending business SB 623.
Senator Eckhardt moved that the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.
Senator Eckhardt moved that SB 623 do not pass but that CSSB 623 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.
The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 886.
Senator Seliger moved that SB 886 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 as a matter of pending business SB 1233.
Senator Hall moved that SB 1233 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.
At 5:27 PM Senator Hall assumed the chair.
The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 611.
Senator Seliger moved that SB 611 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.
The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SJR 35.
Senator Blanco moved that SJR 35 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.
The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 791.
Senator Seliger moved that SB 791 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 Taylor 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 792.
Senator Taylor moved that SB 792 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.
The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 793.
Senator Blanco moved that SB 793 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, 1 nay, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.
The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 794.
Senator Seliger moved that SB 794 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 Blanco 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 795.
Senator Taylor moved that SB 795 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 Eckhardt 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 937.
Senator Taylor moved that SB 937 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 Blanco 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 1441.
Senator Seliger moved that SB 1441 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 Taylor moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.
At 5:32 PM Senator Campbell resumed the chair.
There being no further business, at 5:33 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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Brandon Gajeton, Clerk