MINUTES

 

SENATE COMMITTEE ON VETERAN AFFAIRS & MILITARY INSTALLATIONS

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

1:30 PM or upon adjournment

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 & Military Installations was held on Wednesday, April 6, 2011, in the Betty King Committee Room at Austin, Texas.

 

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MEMBERS PRESENT:

 

MEMBERS ABSENT:

Senator Leticia Van de Putte, Chair

 

None

Senator Brian Birdwell, Vice Chair

 

 

Senator Wendy Davis

 

 

Senator Craig Estes

 

 

Senator Jose Rodriguez

 

 

 

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The chair called the meeting to order at 1:35 PM. There being a quorum present, the following business was transacted:

 

The chair recognized Antonio Musgrove, a first grade student at Carpenter Hill Elementary School, to lead the committee in the Pledge of Allegiance to the United States Flag and the Pledge of Allegiance to Flag of Texas.

 

The chair laid out SB 1477 and recognized the author, Senator Hegar, to explain the bill. 

 

Senator Rodriguez sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Hegar to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed. Senator Rodriguez moved adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

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 Van de Putte moved that SB 1477 be left pending to await a quorum; without objection, it was so ordered.   Upon arrival of a quorum, Senator Rodriguez moved that SB 1477 do not pass but that CSSB 1477 be reported back to the 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 0 absent.  Senator Estes submitted a Motion in Writing requesting to be shown voting aye on SB 1477.

 

Senator Rodriguez moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair laid out SB 1766 and recognized the author, Senator Rodriguez, to explain the bill.

 

Senator Rodriguez sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Rodriguez to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed. Senator Rodriguez moved adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

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 Van de Putte moved that SB 1766 be left pending to await a quorum; without objection, it was so ordered. Upon arrival of a quorum, Senator Van de Putte moved that SB 1766 do not pass but that CSSB 1766 be reported back to the 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 0 absent.  Senator Estes submitted a Motion in Writing requesting to be shown voting aye on SB 1766.

 

Senator Rodriguez moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

At 1:50 PM Senator Van de Putte moved that the Committee stand at ease until 2:20 PM. Without objection, it was so ordered.

 

At 2:30 PM Senator Birdwell reconvened the meeting.

 

The chair laid out SB 1660 and recognized the author, Senator Lucio, to explain the bill.

 

Senator Estes sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Lucio to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed. Senator Birdwell moved adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

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 Birdwell moved that SB 1660 be left pending temporarily.  Senator Birdwell moved that SB 1660 do not pass but that CSSB 1660 be reported back to the 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 0 absent. Senator Estes submitted a Motion in Writing requesting to be shown voting aye on SB 1660.

 

Senator Birdwell moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out SB 1635 and recognized the author, Senator Davis, to explain the bill.

 

Senator Davis sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Davis to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed. Senator Davis moved adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

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 Birdwell moved that SB 1635 be left pending temporarily.  Senator Davis moved that SB 1635 do not pass but that CSSB 1635 be reported back to the 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 0 absent. Senator Estes submitted a Motion in Writing requesting to be shown voting aye on SB 1635.

 

Senator Davis moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out SB 1739 and recognized the author, Senator Davis, to explain the bill.

 

Senator Davis sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Davis to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed. Senator Davis moved adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

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 Birdwell moved that SB 1739 be left pending temporarily.  Senator Davis moved that SB 1739 do not pass but that CSSB 1739 be reported back to the 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 0 absent. Senator Estes submitted a Motion in Writing requesting to be shown voting aye on SB 1739.

 

At 3:00 PM Senator Birdwell moved that the Committee stand at ease until 3:15 PM. Without objection, it was so ordered.

 

At 3:15 PM Senator Van de Putte reconvened the meeting.

 

At 3:16 PM Senator Birdwell assumed the chair.

 

The chair laid out SB 1733 and recognized the author, Senator Van de Putte, 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.

The motion carried with a record vote of 5 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent. Senator Estes submitted a Motion in Writing requesting to be shown voting aye on SB 1733.

 

Senator Van de Putte moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out SB 1732 and recognized the author, Senator Van de Putte, to explain the bill.

 

Senator Van de Putte sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Van de Putte to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed. Senator Van de Putte moved adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached list.

 

Senator Van de Putte moved that SB 1732 do not pass but that CSSB 1732 be reported back to the 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 0 absent.  Senator Estes submitted a Motion in Writing requesting to be shown voting aye on SB 1732.

 

Senator Van de Putte moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out SB 1736 and recognized the author, Senator Van de Putte, 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. The motion carried with a record vote of 5 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent. Senator Estes submitted a Motion in Writing requesting to be shown voting aye on SB 1736.

 

Senator Van de Putte moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out HB 74 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Van de Putte, to explain the bill.

 

Senator Van de Putte sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Van de Putte to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed. Senator Van de Putte moved adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

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 Van de Putte moved that HB 74 do not pass but that CSHB 74 be reported back to the 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 0 absent. Senator Estes submitted a Motion in Writing requesting to be shown voting aye on HB 74.

 

Senator Van de Putte moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out SB 1838 and recognized the author, Senator Van de Putte, to explain the bill.

 

Senator Van de Putte sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Van de Putte to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed. Senator Van de Putte moved adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

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 Van de Putte moved that SB 1838 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

There being no further business, at 6:45 PM Senator Van de Putte moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of the chair. Without objection, it was so ordered.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Senator Leticia Van de Putte, Chair

 

 

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Felicia Wright, Clerk