MINUTES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON VETERAN AFFAIRS & BORDER SECURITY

Wednesday, April 12, 2017

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 & Border Security was held on Wednesday, April 12, 2017, in the Betty King Committee Room at Austin, Texas.

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MEMBERS PRESENT:		MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Donna Campbell, Chair		Senator Carlos Uresti
Senator Don Huffines, Vice Chair
Senator Dawn Buckingham
Senator Bob Hall
Senator Eddie Lucio, Jr.
Senator José Rodríguez

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The chair called the meeting to order at 3:20 PM. There being a quorum present, the following business was transacted:

The Chair recognized Air Force veteran, Julie Puzan, to lead the committee in the pledges of allegiance to the United States and Texas flags.

Senator Huffines moved adoption of the minutes from the previous hearing held on April 5, 2017; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 441 and recognized the author, Senator Rodríguez, for a motion.

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

Senator Rodríguez moved that SB 441 do not pass but that CSSB 441 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, 1 nay, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 544 and recognized the author, Senator Lucio, for a motion.

Senator Lucio moved adoption of the committee substitute for SB 544; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Campbell moved that SB 544 do not pass but that CSSB 544 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 6 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.

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

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 1152 and recognized the author, Senator Menéndez, for a motion.

Senator Lucio, Jr. moved that SB 1152 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 6 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.

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

Senator Huffines assumed the chair.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 1901 and recognized the author, Senator Campbell, for a motion.

Senator Campbell moved that SB 1901 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 6 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.

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

Senator Campbell resumed the chair.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 1968 and recognized the author, Senator Zaffirini, for a motion.

Senator Huffines moved that SB 1968 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 6 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.

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

The chair laid out SB 158 and recognized the author, Senator Hinojosa, to explain the bill.