MINUTES
SENATE COMMITTEE ON VETERAN AFFAIRS & MILITARY INSTALLATIONS
Wednesday, March 20, 2013
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, March 20, 2013, in the Betty King Committee Room at Austin, Texas.
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MEMBERS PRESENT: |
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MEMBERS ABSENT: |
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Senator Leticia Van de Putte, Chair |
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None |
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Senator Brian Birdwell, Vice Chair |
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Senator Donna Campbell |
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Senator Wendy Davis |
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Senator José Rodríguez |
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The chair called the meeting to order at 3:54 PM. There being a quorum present, the following business was transacted:
The Chair recognized Damien Perez, Senate Page from Senator Kevin Eltife’s Office , to recite the United States Pledge of Allegiance and the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of Texas.
Senator Birdwell moved adoption of the minutes from the previous hearings held on February 20, 2013, and March 6, 2013; without objection, it was so ordered.
At 3:57 PM Senator Birdwell assumed the chair.
The chair laid out SB 162 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.
Senator Davis recognized the time and hard work put into CSSB 162 and applauds Senator Van de Putte for her dedication to veterans.
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 162 do not pass but that CSSB 162 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.
At 5:06 PM Senator Van de Putte resumed the chair.
The chair laid out SB 229 and recognized the author, Senator Davis, 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.
Senator Davis moved that SB 229 be reported favorably 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 Campbell submitted a Motion in Writing requesting to be showing voting AYE on SB 229.
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 442 and recognized the author, Senator Birdwell, 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.
Senator Birdwell moved that SB 442 be reported favorably 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 Campbell submitted a Motion in Writing requesting to be showing voting AYE on SB 442.
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 1476 and recognized Senator Rodríguez, in the absence of the author, 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.
Senator Van de Putte moved that SB 1476 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.
At 5:38 PM Senator Rodríguez assumed the chair.
The chair laid out SB 242 and recognized Senator Van de Putte, in the absence of the author, 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.
Senator Van de Putte moved that SB 242 be reported favorably 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 Campbell submitted a Motion in Writing requesting to be showing voting AYE on SB 242.
Senator Van de Putte moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.
At 5:53 PM Senator Van de Putte resumed the chair.
The chair laid out SCR 17 and recognized Senator Birdwell, in the absence of the author, 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.
Senator Birdwell moved that SCR 17 be reported favorably 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 Campbell submitted a Motion in Writing requesting to be showing voting AYE on SCR 17.
Senator Van de Putte moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.
At 6:05 PM Senator Davis assumed the chair.
The chair laid out SB 10 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.
Senator Van de Putte moved that SB 10 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.
At 6:42 PM Senator Van de Putte resumed the chair.
The chair recognized the Vietnam Veterans Monument Groundbreaking Event Honoring our Texas Heroes located on the Texas Capitol Grounds, Austin, Texas, March 25th, 2013. The event will begin at 10:00 a.m.
Senator Van de Putte announced that the next hearing will be on Wednesday, March 27, 2013 and will focus on veterans mental health issues.
There being no further business, at 6:43 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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Cinda Johnson, Clerk