MINUTES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON VETERAN AFFAIRS

Tuesday, May 16, 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, May 16, 2023, in the Betty King Committee Room at Austin, Texas.

*****

MEMBERS PRESENT:	MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Kelly Hancock, Chair	Senator Roland Gutierrez
Senator Tan Parker, Vice Chair	Senator Bob Hall
Senator César Blanco
Senator Sarah Eckhardt
Senator Kevin Sparks

*****

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

The chair laid out HB 387 and recognized the Senate Sponsor, Senator King, 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 HB 387 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out HB 1457 and recognized the Senate Sponsor, Senator Blanco, 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 HB 1457 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out HB 2499, sponsored by Senator Creighton, 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 HB 2499 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out HB 671 and recognized the Senate Sponsor, Senator Eckhardt, 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 HB 671 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out HB 4421, sponsored by Senator Hall, and recognized Senator Sparks 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 HB 4421 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Parker assumed the chair.

The chair laid out HB 2951 and recognized the Senate Sponsor, Senator Hancock, to explain the bill. Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached list. Senator Hancock moved that HB 2951 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 5 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 2 absent. Senator Hancock moved that HB 2951 be recommended for the Local and Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Hancock resumed the chair.

The chair laid out HB 387, as a matter of pending business, by Senator King. Senator Parker moved that HB 387 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 5 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 2 absent. Senator Parker moved that HB 387 be recommended for the Local and Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out HB 671, as a matter of pending business, by Senator Eckhardt. Senator Eckhardt moved that HB 671 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 5 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 2 absent. Senator Eckhardt moved that HB 671 be recommended for the Local and Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out HB 1457, as a matter of pending business, by Senator Blanco. Senator Blanco moved that HB 1457 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 5 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 2 absent. Senator Blanco moved that HB 1457 be recommended for the Local and Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out HB 2499, as a matter of pending business, by Senator Creighton. Senator Parker moved that HB 2499 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 5 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 2 absent. Senator Parker moved that HB 2499 be recommended for the Local and Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out HB 4421, as a matter of pending business, by Senator Hall. Senator Parker moved that HB 4421 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 5 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 2 absent. Senator Parker moved that HB 4421 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