MINUTES
Committee on Veteran Affairs &
Military Installations
Wednesday, April 2, 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, April
2, 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 Craig Estes, Vice Chair
Senator Troy Fraser
Senator Frank Madla
Senator Eliot Shapleigh
*****
The Chair called the hearing to order at 5:08 p.m.,
pursuant to the RECESS of the Committee's last
hearing which was held on Wednesday, March 26,
2003. A quorum was announced present.
The Chair requested that Senator Mario Gallegos,
Jr., present to explain a bill on today's hearing
agenda, to lead the audience, the members, and the
staff, in the Pledge of Allegiance to the American
Flag. Senator Gallegos did so.
The Chair made a statement relative to the policy
of the Committee which prohibits the use of
cellular telephones during the hearing.
The Chair laid before the Committee Senate Bill No.
1288 and called upon its author, Senator Gallegos,
to explain the bill. Senator Gallegos did so.
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 recognized Mr. Johnny Villarreal,
Legislative Director, Houston Fire Fighters Local
341, to testify IN FAVOR OF Senate Bill No. 1288.
Mr. Villarreal did so.
The Chair recognized Mr. Carvel McNeil, Jr.,
Legislative Chairman, Houston Police Patrolmen's
Union, to testify IN FAVOR OF Senate Bill No. 1288.
Mr. McNeil did so.
The Chair recognized Mr. Stephen Sanders,
Legislative Director, Texas Fraternal Order of
Police, to testify IN FAVOR OF Senate Bill No.
1288. Mr. Sanders did so.
The Chair asked if there were any other persons
present wishing to testify for, against, or on
Senate Bill No. 1288. There was no response. The
Chair announced that public testimony on Senate
Bill No. 1288 would now be closed.
Senate Bill No. 1288 was left pending before the
Committee.
The Chair laid before the Committee Senate Bill No.
903 and called upon its author, Senator Lindsay, to
explain the bill. Senator Lindsay did so.
The Chair noted that Mr. Caton Fenz, Legislative
Coordinator, Harris County, had registered IN FAVOR
OF Senate Bill No. 903, but did not wish to
actually testify.
The Chair recognized Mr. Dave Bohlmann, Toll
Operations Manager, Harris County Toll Road
Authority, to testify IN FAVOR OF Senate Bill No.
903. Mr. Bohlmann did so.
The Chair recognized Mr. Bernard Koudelka,
Assistant Director, Operations, Harris County Toll
Road Authority, to testify IN FAVOR OF Senate Bill
No. 903. Mr. Koudelka did so.
The Chair recognized Mr. Phil Russell, Director,
Texas Turnpike Authority Division, Texas Department
of Transportation, to testify ON Senate Bill No.
903. Mr. Russell did so.
The Chair asked if there were any other persons
present wishing to testify for, against, or on
Senate Bill No. 903. There was no response. The
Chair announced that public testimony on Senate
Bill No. 903 would now be closed.
Senate Bill No. 903 was left pending before the
Committee.
The Chair announced that the Committee would stand
at ease (5:28 p.m.)
The Chair called the Committee back to order (5:41
p.m.)
The Chair laid before the Committee Senate Bill No.
988 and called upon its author, Senator Armbrister,
to explain the bill. Senator Armbrister did so.
The Chair recognized Mr. Jerry L. Hooper, Sr.,
Representative SWR, Aircraft Owners & Pilots
Association, to testify IN FAVOR OF Senate Bill No.
988. Mr. Hooper did so.
The Chair asked if there were any other persons
present wishing to testify for, against, or on
Senate Bill No. 988. There was no response. The
Chair announced that public testimony on Senate
Bill No. 988 would now be closed.
Senate Bill No. 988 was left pending before the
Committee.
The Chair announced that the Committee would stand
at ease (5:47 p.m.)
The Chair called the Committee back to order (5:48
p.m.)
The Chair laid before the Committee Senate Bill No.
1237 and called upon its author, Vice Chair Estes,
to explain the bill. The Vice Chair requested that
a complete committee substitute for Senate Bill No.
1237 (Legislative Council inventory number 78R10745
JTS-F) be laid before the Committee in lieu of the
original bill.
The Chair then laid before the Committee the
Complete Committee Substitute for Senate Bill No.
1237. Vice Chair Estes explained the committee
substitute, noting the differences between the
substitute and the original bill.
The Chair recognized Mr. Douglas E. Oldmixon,
Executive Secretary, Texas Veterans Land Board and
Ms. Noelle Letteri, Attorney-Legal Department,
General Land Office/Veterans Land Board, to testify
in tandem ON the Committee Substitute for Senate
Bill No. 1237. Mr. Oldmixon and Ms. Letteri did
so.
The Chair asked if there were any other persons
present wishing to testify for, against, or on the
Committee Substitute for Senate Bill No. 1237.
There was no response. The Chair announced that
public testimony on the Committee Substitute for
Senate Bill No. 1237 would now be closed.
The Committee Substitute for Senate Bill No. 1237
was left pending before the Committee.
The Chair asked that Vice Chair Estes temporarily
preside over the Committee. The Vice Chair did so.
The Vice Chair laid before the Committee Senate
Bill No. 957, and called upon its author, Chair Van
de Putte, to explain the bill. Chair Van de Putte
did so.
The Vice Chair noted that Ms. Noelle Letteri,
Attorney-Legal Department, General Land
Office/Veterans Land Board, had registered ON
Senate Bill No. 957, but did not wish to actually
testify.
The Vice Chair noted that Mr. Douglas E. Oldmixon,
Executive Secretary, Texas Veterans Land Board, had
registered ON Senate Bill No. 957, but did not wish
to actually testify.
The Vice Chair noted that Mr. David Gonzales,
Director of Public Affairs, Texas Pharmacy
Association, had registered IN FAVOR OF Senate Bill
No. 957, 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. 957. There was no response.
The Vice Chair announced that public testimony on
Senate Bill No. 957 would now be closed.
Senate Bill No. 957 was left pending before the
Committee.
The Chair resumed presiding over the Committee.
The Chair announced that the Committee would stand
at ease (6:00 p.m.)
The Chair called the Committee back to order (6:06
p.m.)
The Chair laid before the Committee as pending
business from previous hearings Senate Bill No. 81
and the Committee Substitute for Senate Bill No. 85
(Legislative Council inventory number 78R8431
JRD-D).
The Chair recognized The Honorable Nancy E. Rister,
County Clerk, Texas County & District Clerks
Association, to testify ON Senate Bill No. 81 and
the Committee Substitute for Senate Bill No. 85.
Ms. Rister did so.
Senator Shapleigh now present (6:07 p.m.)
Ms. Rister continued her testimony ON Senate Bill
No. 81 and the Committee Substitute for Senate Bill
No. 85.
Senate Bill No. 81, and the Committee Substitute
for Senate Bill No. 85, were again left pending
before the Committee.
Senator Madla now present (6:08 p.m.)
The Chair announced that voting would take place on
several pending bills.
The Chair laid before the Committee again Senate
Bill No. 903.
The Vice Chair offered a complete committee
substitute for Senate Bill No. 903 (Legislative
Council inventory number 78R10197 JTS-F), noting
the differences between the substitute and the
original bill.
On motion of the Vice Chair, the Committee voted (4
YEAS Chair Van de Putte, Vice Chair Estes, Madla
and Shapleigh; 0 NAYS; 1 ABSENT Fraser; and 0 PNV)
to favorably report the Committee Substitute for
Senate Bill No. 903 in lieu of the original Senate
Bill No. 903 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. 903 was recommended for placement upon the
Local and Uncontested Calendar.
The Chair asked that Vice Chair Estes preside
temporarily over the Committee. The Vice Chair did
so.
The Vice Chair laid before the Committee again
Senate Bill No. 957.
On motion of Chair Van de Putte, the Committee
voted (4 YEAS Chair Van de Putte, Vice Chair Estes,
Madla and Shapleigh; 0 NAYS; 1 ABSENT Fraser; and 0
PNV) to favorably report Senate Bill No. 957 back
to the full Senate with the recommendation that it
do pass.
The Chair resumed presiding over the Committee.
On motion of Senator Shapleigh, and without
objection, Senate Bill No. 957 was recommended for
placement upon the Local and Uncontested Calendar.
The Chair laid before the Committee again Senate
Bill No. 988.
On motion of Senator Shapleigh, the Committee voted
(4 YEAS Chair Van de Putte, Vice Chair Estes, Madla
and Shapleigh; 0 NAYS; 1 ABSENT Fraser; and 0 PNV)
to favorably report Senate Bill No. 988 back to the
full Senate with the recommendation that it do
pass.
On motion of Senator Shapleigh, and without
objection, Senate Bill No. 988 was recommended for
placement upon the Local and Uncontested Calendar.
The Chair laid before the Committee again the
complete Committee Substitute for Senate Bill No.
1237.
On motion of Vice Chair Estes, the Committee voted
(4 YEAS Chair Van de Putte, Vice Chair Estes, Madla
and Shapleigh; 0 NAYS; 1 ABSENT Fraser; and 0 PNV)
to favorably report the Committee Substitute for
Senate Bill No. 1237 in lieu of the original Senate
Bill No. 1237 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. 1237 was recommended for placement upon the
Local and Uncontested Calendar.
The Chair laid before the Committee again Senate
Bill No. 1288.
Senator Shapleigh offered Committee Amendment No. 1
to Senate Bill No. 1288, which amendment was
adopted without objection.
Vice Chair Estes offered Committee Amendment No. 2
to Senate Bill No. 1288, which amendment was
adopted without objection.
On motion of Senator Shapleigh, the Committee voted
(4 YEAS Chair Van de Putte, Vice Chair Estes, Madla
and Shapleigh; 0 NAYS; 1 ABSENT Fraser; and 0 PNV)
to favorably report Senate Bill No. 1288 as
amended back to the full Senate with the
recommendation that it do pass.
The Chair laid before the Committee again as
pending business from a previous hearing of the
Committee Senate Bill No. 719.
On motion of Senator Madla, the Committee voted (4
YEAS Chair Van de Putte, Vice Chair Estes, Madla
and Shapleigh; 0 NAYS; 1 ABSENT Fraser; and 0 PNV)
to favorably report Senate Bill No. 719 back to the
full Senate with the recommendation that it do
pass.
On motion of Senator Madla, and without objection,
Senate Bill No. 719 was recommended for placement
upon the Local and Uncontested Calendar.
The Chair laid before the Committee again as
pending business from a previous hearing of the
Committee Senate Bill No. 720.
On motion of Senator Madla, the Committee voted (4
YEAS Chair Van de Putte, Vice Chair Estes, Madla
and Shapleigh; 0 NAYS; 1 ABSENT Fraser; and 0 PNV)
to favorably report Senate Bill No. 720 back to the
full Senate with the recommendation that it do
pass.
On motion of Senator Madla, and without objection,
Senate Bill No. 720 was recommended for placement
upon the Local and Uncontested Calendar.
The Chair asked that Vice Chair Estes preside
temporarily over the Committee. The Vice Chair did
so.
The Vice Chair laid before the Committee again as
pending business from a previous hearing of the
Committee Senate Bill No. 983.
On motion of Chair Van de Putte, the Committee
voted (4 YEAS Chair Van de Putte, Vice Chair Estes,
Madla and Shapleigh; 0 NAYS; 1 ABSENT Fraser; and 0
PNV) to favorably report Senate Bill No. 983 back
to the full Senate with the recommendation that it
do pass.
On motion of Chair Van de Putte, and without
objection, Senate Bill No. 983 was recommended for
placement upon the Local and Uncontested Calendar.
The Chair resumed presiding over the Committee.
The Chair laid before the Committee Senate Joint
Resolution No. 55 and called upon its author,
Senator Shapleigh, a member of the Committee, to
explain the joint resolution. Senator Shapleigh
did so.
The Chair laid before the Committee the complete
Committee Substitute for Senate Joint Resolution
No. 55 (Legislative Council inventory number
78R10928 MCK-D). Senator Shapleigh noted the
differences between the substitute and the original
joint resolution.
The Chair asked if there were any persons present
wishing to testify for, against, or on the
Committee Substitute for Senate Joint Resolution
No. 55. There was no response. The Chair
announced that public testimony on the Committee
Substitute for Senate Joint Resolution No. 55 would
now be closed.
The Committee Substitute for Senate Joint
Resolution No. 55 was left pending before the
Committee.
The Chair laid before the Committee again as
pending business from a previous hearing of the
Committee Senate Bill No. 652.
The Chair then laid before the Committee the
complete Committee Substitute for Senate Bill No.
652 (Legislative Council inventory number 78R10929
MCK-D). Senator Shapleigh noted the differences
between the substitute and the original bill.
The Chair recognized Ms. Maryann Randall, Vice
President, City Public Service of San Antonio, to
testify IN FAVOR OF the Committee Substitute for
Senate Bill No. 652. Ms. Randall did so.
The Chair recognized Ms. Joyce Feinberg, Executive
Assistant to the Mayor, City of El Paso, to testify
IN FAVOR OF the Committee Substitute for Senate
Bill No. 652. Ms. Feinberg did so.
The Chair noted that Mr. Raymund Rodriguez,
Government Affairs Representative, El Paso Electric
Company, had registered IN FAVOR OF the Committee
Substitute for Senate Bill No. 652, but did not
wish to actually testify.
The Chair recognized Mr. Bill Shine, Civilian Aide,
Secretary of the Army (Harker Heights, Texas), to
testify IN FAVOR OF the Committee Substitute for
Senate Bill No. 652. Mr. Shine did so.
The Chair recognized Mr. James Bass,
Director-Finance, Texas Department of
Transportation, to testify ON the Committee
Substitute for Senate Bill No. 652. Mr. Bass did
so.
The Chair asked if there were any other persons
present wishing to testify for, against, or on the
Committee Substitute for Senate Bill No. 652.
There was no response. The Chair announced that
public testimony on the Committee Substitute for
Senate Bill No. 652 would now be closed.
The Committee Substitute for Senate Bill No. 652
was left pending before the Committee.
The Chair announced that the Standing Subcommittee
on Base Realignment and Closure would commence its
own meeting upon the completion of today's hearing
of the full Committee.
There being no further business, the Chair, at 6:58
p.m., RECESSED the Committee subject to the call of
the Chair.
_____________________________________________
LETICIA VAN DE PUTTE, R.Ph., Chair
______________________________________________
GREGORY D. WATSON, Committee Clerk