MINUTES

 

SENATE COMMITTEE ON VETERAN AFFAIRS & BORDER SECURITY

Wednesday, May 10, 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, May 10, 2017, in the Betty King Committee Room at Austin, Texas.

 

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

 

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The chair called the meeting to order at 6:12 PM. There being a quorum present, the following business was transacted:

 

The following members arrived after the roll was called: Senator Lucio.

 

The Chair recognized Air Force veteran, Senator Bob Hall, 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 May 3, 2017; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out HB 2933 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Larry Taylor, 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 Huffines moved that HB 2933 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 as a matter of pending business HB 283 in lieu of  SB 158 and recognized Senator Lucio, Jr., in the absence of the Senate sponsor, for a motion.

 

Senator Lucio, Jr. sent up Committee Amendment # 1 and was recognized to explain the amendment.

 

Senator Lucio moved adoption; without objection, the amendment was adopted.

 

Senator Lucio, Jr. moved that HB 283, as amended, 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. 

 

The chair laid out HB 1117 and recognized Senator Rodríguez, in the absence of the Senate sponsor, to explain the bill.

 

The chair opened up public testimony.

 

The chair moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

Senator Lucio, Jr. moved that HB 1117 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.

 

The chair laid out SB 2291 and recognized the author, Senator Lucio, 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 Lucio moved that SB 2291 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 moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out HB 1655 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Huffines, 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 Huffines moved that HB 1655 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 HB 2761 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Carlos Uresti, to explain the bill.

 

Senator Rodríguez sent up a committee substitute.  The chair recognized Senator Uresti to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the house bill as engrossed.

 

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 Uresti moved adoption of the committee substitute, without objection; it was so ordered.

 

Senator Uresti moved that HB 2761 do not pass but that CSHB 2761 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 Uresti 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 SB 2292 and recognized the author, Senator Campbell, 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 Campbell moved that SB 2292 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 HB 2007 and recognized Senator Huffines, in the absence of the Senate sponsor, to explain the bill.

 

The chair opened up public testimony.

 

The chair moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

Senator Huffines moved that HB 2007 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.

 

There being no further business, at 6:43 PM Senator Campbell moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of the chair. Without objection, it was so ordered.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Senator Donna Campbell, Chair

 

 

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Carrie Smith, Clerk