MINUTES
Committee on Veteran Affairs &
Military Installations
Wednesday, March 26, 2003
1:30 p.m. (or upon adjournment of the Senate--whichever is
later)
Betty King Committee Room
*****
Pursuant to a notice posted in accordance with Senate Rule
11.18, a public hearing of the Texas Senate Committee on
Veteran Affairs and Military Installations was held on
Wednesday, March 26, 2003, in the Betty King Committee Room
(2E.20) of the State Capitol Building, behind the Senate
Chamber, at Austin, Texas.
*****
MEMBERS PRESENT: MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Leticia Van de Putte, Chair Senator Frank Madla
Senator Craig Estes, Vice Chair
Senator Troy Fraser
Senator Eliot Shapleigh
*****
The Chair called the hearing to order at 1:43 p.m.,
pursuant to the RECESS of the Committee's last hearing
which was held on Wednesday, March 12, 2003.
The Chair requested that the Honorable Enrique Barrera,
City Councilman, City of San Antonio, to lead the audience,
the members, and the staff, in the Pledge of Allegiance to
the American Flag.
The Chair urged those persons wishing to testify for,
against, or on any bill appearing on today's agenda to fill
out a Witness Registration Card and pointed out that by
signing the Card, the witness is already swearing to tell
the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.
The Chair noted that all testimony and activities in the
committee room are being recorded and transmitted.
The Chair made a statement relative to the policy of the
Committee which prohibits the use of cellular telephones
during the hearing.
Senators Estes and Fraser now present (1:47 p.m.) A quorum
was declared present.
The Chair laid before the Committee the minutes of the
previous hearing of the Committee which had been held on
Wednesday, March 12, 2003. On motion of Senator
Shapleigh, and without objection, those minutes were
approved.
The Chair noted parliamentary defects in the manner in
which the Committee Substitute for Senate Bill No. 655
(Legislative Council inventory number 78R8580 MXM-D) had
been processed in the previous hearing of the Committee on
Wednesday, March 12, 2003. On motion of Senator Shapleigh,
the vote by which the Committee approved that particular
Committee Substitute on Senate Bill No. 655 be entirely
nullified and that the Committee once again consider a
Committee Substitute for Senate Bill No. 655.
The Chair laid before the Committee a revised Committee
Substitute for Senate Bill No. 655 (Legislative Council
inventory number 78R9382 MXM-F). Senator Shapleigh
explained the revised Committee Substitute. On motion of
Senator Shapleigh, the Committee voted (4 YEAS--Chair Van
de Putte, Vice Chair Estes, Fraser and Shapleigh; 0 NAYS; 1
ABSENT--Madla; and 0 PNV) to favorably recommend the
revised Committee Substitute for Senate Bill No. 655
(Legislative Council inventory number 78R9382 MXM-F)--in
lieu of the original Senate Bill No. 655--back to the full
Senate with the recommendation that it do pass. On motion
of Senator Shapleigh, and without objection, the Committee
Substitute for Senate Bill No. 655 was recommended for
placement upon the Local and Uncontested Calendar.
The Chair laid before the Committee Senate Bill No. 814,
and called upon its author, Senator Kip Averitt, to explain
the bill. Senator Averitt did so.
The Chair noted that Ms. Deborah Ingersoll, citizen of
Texas, representing herself, had registered IN FAVOR OF
Senate Bill No. 814, but did not wish to actually testify.
The Chair recognized Mr. Marco Montoya, (Retired),
representing himself, to testify IN FAVOR OF Senate Bill
No. 814. Mr. Montoya did so, and also offered written
material to the Committee.
The Chair recognized Mr. O. M. Little, citizen of Texas,
representing himself, to testify IN FAVOR OF Senate Bill
No. 814. Mr. Little did so very briefly from his place in
the audience, but did not physically approach the
microphone.
The Chair asked if there were any other persons present
wishing to testify for, against, or on Senate Bill No. 814.
There was no response. The Chair announced that public
testimony on Senate Bill No. 814 would now be closed.
On motion of Senator Shapleigh, the Committee voted (3
YEAS--Chair Van de Putte, Vice Chair Estes and Shapleigh; 0
NAYS; 2 ABSENT--Fraser and Madla; and 0 PNV) to favorably
recommend Senate Bill No. 814 back to the full Senate with
the recommendation that it do pass. On motion of Senator
Shapleigh, and without objection, Senate Bill No. 814 was
recommended for placement upon the Local and Uncontested
Calendar.
The Chair laid before the Committee Senate Bill No. 938 and
called upon its author, Senator Gonzalo Barrientos, to
explain the bill. Senator Barrientos did so.
Senator Estes offered a complete Committee Substitute for
Senate Bill No. 938 (Legislative Council inventory number
78R9833 MCK-D). The Chair laid the Committee Substitute
before the Committee in lieu of the original bill.
The Chair recognized Mr. Robert Meisel, Veteran,
representing himself, to testify IN FAVOR OF the Committee
Substitute for Senate Bill No. 938. Mr. Meisel did so.
The Chair recognized Mr. David W. Rogers, CW5-AUS, Retired,
representing himself, to testify IN FAVOR OF the Committee
Substitute for Senate Bill No. 938. Mr. Rogers did so, and
also offered written material to the Committee.
The Chair asked if there were any other persons present
wishing to testify for, against, or on the Committee
Substitute for Senate Bill No. 938. There was no response.
The Chair announced that public testimony on the Committee
Substitute for Senate Bill No. 938 would now be closed.
On motion of Senator Estes, the Committee voted (3
YEAS--Chair Van de Putte, Vice Chair Estes and Shapleigh; 0
NAYS; 2 ABSENT--Fraser and Madla; and 0 PNV) to favorably
recommend the Committee Substitute for Senate Bill No.
938--in lieu of the original Senate Bill No. 938--back to
the full Senate with the recommendation that it do pass.
The Chair noted that Senator Frank Madla would be absent
for all of today's hearing due to his responsibilities as
Chair of the Committee on Intergovernmental Relations which
was conducting a public hearing at the same time. The
Chair noted that Senator Madla had requested that his
legislation (Senate Bills Nos. 719 and 720) on the agenda
of today's hearing, be explained by Senator Eliot Shapleigh
in the absence of Senator Madla.
The Chair laid before the Committee Senate Bill No. 719,
and called upon Senator Shapleigh to explain the bill.
Senator Shapleigh did so.
The Chair recognized the Honorable Enrique Barrera,
Councilman, City of San Antonio, to testify IN FAVOR OF
Senate Bill No. 719. Councilman Barrera did so.
The Chair noted that Mr. Louis E. Davis, Economic
Development Manager, City of San Antonio, had registered IN
FAVOR OF Senate Bill No. 719, but did not wish to actually
testify.
The Chair noted that Mr. Frank J. Garza, Brooks Development
Authority and Greater Kelly Development Authority, had
registered IN FAVOR OF Senate Bill No. 719, but did not
wish to actually testify.
The Chair noted that Ms. Shanna Igo, Director of
Legislative Services, Texas Municipal League, had
registered IN FAVOR OF Senate Bill No. 719, but did not
wish to actually testify.
The Chair recognized Mr. Bob Rasmussen, Chief Operating
Officer, Greater Kelly Development Authority, to testify IN
FAVOR OF Senate Bill No. 719. Mr. Rasmussen did so.
The Chair recognized Mr. Thomas Rumora, Executive Director,
Brooks Development Authority, to testify IN FAVOR OF Senate
Bill No. 719. Mr. Rumora did so.
The Chair noted that Mr. Lewis Westerman, Secretary, Brooks
Development Authority, had registered IN FAVOR OF Senate
Bill No. 719, but did not wish to actually testify.
The Chair asked if there were any other persons present
wishing to testify for, against, or on Senate Bill No. 719.
There was no response. The Chair announced that the public
testimony on Senate Bill No. 719 would now be closed. The
Chair announced that Senate Bill No. 719 would be left
pending before the Committee.
The Chair laid before the Committee Senate Bill No. 720,
and recognized Vice Chair Estes--in the absence of Senator
Shapleigh--to explain the bill. Senator Estes did so.
The Chair recognized the Honorable Enrique Barrera,
Councilman, City of San Antonio, to testify IN FAVOR OF
Senate Bill No. 720. Councilman Barrera did so.
The Chair noted that Mr. Louis E. Davis, Economic
Development Manager, City of San Antonio, had registered IN
FAVOR OF Senate Bill No. 720, but did not wish to actually
testify.
The Chair noted that Mr. Frank Garza, Brooks Development
Authority and Greater Kelly Development Authority, had
registered IN FAVOR OF Senate Bill No. 720, but did not
wish to actually testify.
The Chair noted that Ms. Shanna Igo, Director of
Legislative Services, Texas Municipal League, had
registered IN FAVOR OF Senate Bill No. 720, but did not
wish to actually testify.
The Chair noted that Mr. Bob Rasmussen, Chief Operating
Officer, Greater Kelly Development Authority, had
registered IN FAVOR OF Senate Bill No. 720, but did not
wish to actually testify.
The Chair recognized Mr. Thomas Rumora, Executive Director,
Brooks Development Authority, to testify IN FAVOR OF Senate
Bill No. 720. Mr. Rumora did so.
The Chair noted that Mr. Lewis Westerman, Secretary, Brooks
Development Authority, had registered IN FAVOR OF Senate
Bill No. 720, but did not wish to actually testify.
The Chair asked if there were any other persons present
wishing to testify for, against, or on Senate Bill No. 720.
There was no response. The Chair announced that public
testimony on Senate Bill No. 720 would now be closed. The
Chair announced that Senate Bill No. 720, would be left
pending before the Committee.
At the request of the Chair, Vice Chair Estes laid before
the Committee Senate Bill No. 983 and called upon its
author, Chair Van de Putte, to explain the bill. Senator
Van de Putte did so.
The Vice Chair recognized Mr. Michael G. Blalock, Deputy
Executive Director, Adjutant General's Department, to
testify ON Senate Bill No. 983. Mr. Blalock did so.
The Vice Chair noted that Mr. Allen Dehnert, Assistant
Adjutant General, Adjutant General's Department, had
registered ON Senate Bill No. 983, but did not wish to
actually testify.
The Vice Chair asked if there were any other persons
present wishing to testify for, against, or on Senate Bill
No. 983. There was no response. The Vice Chair announced
that public testimony on Senate Bill No. 983 would now be
closed. The Vice Chair announced that Senate Bill No. 983
would be left pending before the Committee.
The Chair called attention to specific pending bills from
previous hearings of the Committee.
The Chair laid before the Committee once again (as pending
business from the hearing of March 12, 2003) Senate Bill
No. 85 by Wentworth. While public testimony had been
declared closed on Senate Bill No. 85--and closed on a
proposed Committee Substitute for Senate Bill No. 85--at
the March 12, 2003, hearing, the subsequent re-posting of
Senate Bill No. 85--for today's agenda--re-opened Senate
Bill No. 85 to public testimony.
The Chair recognized the Honorable Jeane Brunson, County
Clerk of Parker County and Legislative Committee Co-Chair
of the County and District Clerks Association of Texas to
testify ON Senate Bill No. 85. Ms. Brunson did so, and
also offered written material to the Committee.
The Chair noted written correspondence, dated March 25,
2003, received by the Committee from the Mr. John R. Cook,
Attorney at Law, relative to both Senate Bill No. 81 by
Zaffirini and Senate Bill No. 85 by Wentworth.
The Chair asked if there were any other persons present
wishing to testify for, against, or on Senate Bill No. 81
or the Committee Substitute for Senate Bill No. 85. There
was no response. The Chair announced that both Senate Bill
No. 81 and the Committee Substitute for Senate Bill No. 85
would remain pending before the Committee.
There being no further business, the Chair, at 3:15 p.m.,
RECESSED the Committee subject to the call of the Chair.
_____________________________________________
LETICIA VAN DE PUTTE, R.Ph., Chair
______________________________________________
GREGORY D. WATSON, Committee Clerk