MINUTES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON VETERAN AFFAIRS

Tuesday, March 21, 2023

9:00 AM

Betty King Committee Room

*****

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 was held on Tuesday, March 21, 2023, in the Betty King Committee Room at Austin, Texas.

*****

MEMBERS PRESENT:	MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Kelly Hancock, Chair	None
Senator Tan Parker, Vice Chair
Senator César Blanco
Senator Sarah Eckhardt
Senator Roland Gutierrez
Senator Bob Hall
Senator Kevin Sparks

*****

The chair called the meeting to order at 9:00 AM. There being a quorum present, the following business was transacted:

Senator Parker moved adoption of the committee rules. There being no objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 493 by Senator Hughes and recognized the author to explain the bill. Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached list. The chair moved that public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered. The chair moved that SB 493 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 63 by Senator Zaffirini and recognized Senator Parker to explain the bill. Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached list. The chair moved that public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered. The chair moved that SB 63 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 371 by Senator Eckhardt and recognized the author to explain the bill. Senator Parker sent up the committee substitute. The chair recognized the author to explain the difference in the committee substitute and the bill as filed. Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached list. The chair moved that public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered. The chair moved that SB 371 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 538 by Senator King and recognized the author to explain the bill. Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached list. The chair moved that public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Parker sent up the committee substitute. The chair recognized the author to explain the difference in the committee substitute and the bill as filed. The chair moved that SB 538 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Parker assumed the chair.

The chair laid out SB 777 by Senator Hancock and recognized the author to explain the bill. Senator Hancock sent up the committee substitute. The chair recognized the author to explain the difference in the committee substitute and the bill as filed. Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached list. The chair moved that public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered. The chair moved that SB 777 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 1308 by Senator Hancock and recognized the author to explain the bill. Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached list. The chair moved that public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered. The chair moved that SB 1308 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 1598 by Senator Hancock and recognized the author to explain the bill. Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached list. The chair moved that public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered. The chair moved that SB 1598 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 1308, as a matter of pending business, by Senator Hancock. Senator Hancock moved that SB 1308 be reported back to the full 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 Hancock moved that SB 1308 be recommended for the Local and Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 1598, as a matter of pending business, by Senator Hancock. Senator Hancock moved that SB 1598 be reported back to the full 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 Hancock moved that SB 1598 be recommended for the Local and Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Hancock resumed the chair.

The chair laid out SB 63, as a matter of pending business, by Senator Zaffirini. Senator Parker moved that SB 63 be reported back to the full 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 Parker moved that SB 63 be recommended for the Local and Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 371, as a matter of pending business, by Senator Eckhardt. Senator Parker moved adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Parker moved that the SB 371 do not pass but the committee substitute to SB 371 do pass and be recommended to the full senate. The motion carried with a record vote of 7 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent. Senator Parker moved that SB 371 be recommended for the Local and Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 493, as a matter of pending business, by Senator Hughes. Senator Parker moved that SB 493 be reported back to the full senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 6 ayes, 1 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.

The chair laid out SB 538, as a matter of pending business, by Senator King. Senator Parker moved adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Parker moved that the SB 538 do not pass but the committee substitute to SB 538 do pass and be recommended to the full senate. The motion carried with a record vote of 7 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent. Senator Parker moved that SB 538 be recommended for the Local and Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

There being no further business to come before the committee, the committee stood in recess subject to the call of the chair.

__________________________________________

Senator Kelly Hancock, Chair

__________________________________________

Kennedy Calvo, Clerk