MINUTES
SENATE COMMITTEE ON VETERAN AFFAIRS
AND MILITARY INSTALLATIONS
Monday, February 22, 1999
11:00 am
Lt. Governor's Committee Room
*****
Pursuant to a notice posted in accordance with Senate Rule 11.11, a
public hearing of the Senate Committee on Veteran Affairs & Military
Installations was held on Monday, February 22, 1999 in Lt.
Governor's Committee Room, at Austin, Texas.
*****
MEMBERS PRESENT: MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Carlos F. Truan None
Senator Gregory Luna
Senator Troy Fraser
Senator Steve Ogden
Senator Eliot Shapleigh
*****
Chairman Truan called the meeting to order at 11:00 a.m.
The Chair laid out SB 171, relating to the expansion of the
Legion of Valor License Plates privilege, and recognized its
sponsor, Senator Carona. Senator Carona then explained the purpose
of the bill. The Chairman recognized Mr. Jerry Dike, representing
the Texas Department Of Transportation, to testify as a resource
witness. There being no further testimony, the Chair closed the
hearing on SB 171. The Chair laid out SB 416, relating to parking
priviliges for vehicles of veterans or surviving spouses, and
recognized Senator Lindsay, sponsor of SB 416 to explain his bill.
Senator Fraser was recognized for questions on SB 416. The Chair
called on Mr. Michael Palmquist, Executive Director of the American
Legion, as a resource witness. As there were no objections or
witnesses for or against the bill, the hearing on SB 416 was closed
by Chairman Truan. Senator Fraser was recognized for a motion to
report SB 416 out of committee with a recommendation that it do
pass and be printed. The Clerk called the Roll for the vote.
There being 5 ayes and no nays, the motion carried.
Senator Fraser moved to report SB 171 out of committee with the
recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The Clerk called the
Roll for the vote. There being 5 ayes and no nays, the motion was
adopted.
The Chair laid out SB 313 relating to the number of authorized
defense projects within a defense adjustment zone and recognized
Senator Madla as its sponsor. After presentation of the bill
by Senator Madla, two witnesses from the Texas Department of
Economic Development, Michael West and Craig Pinkley were called to
testify. Chairman Truan recognized Senator Fraser for questions and
recognized Senators Shapleigh and Ogden as present.
The Chair called for a vote on SB 171, there being 5 ayes and no
nays, SB 171 was favorably reported out of Committee. Senator Luna
made the motion that SB 171 be placed on the Local & Uncontested
Calendar. The motion was ordered by unanimous consent and was so
ordered. The Roll was called on SB 416. There being 5 ayes and no
nays, SB 416 was favorably reported out of committee. Senator Luna
made a motion that it be placed on the Local & Uncontested Calendar.
The motion was so ordered by unanimous consent.
Testimony on SB 313 was then resumed with the Chair calling resource
witnesses; Jim Berry Executive Director of the Bee Development
Authority and Jim Campbell, Intergovernmental Director for the City
of San Antonio. Senators Shapleigh and Senator Fraser were both
recognized for questions. The Chair called for the record to
reflect that Randy Cain, resource witness, for the City of Lubbock
registered in favor of SB 313 and did not wish to testify.
Chairman noted SB 313 has a Fiscal implication that will require it
to be held in Committee. It was noted that further information
will be needed on the Fiscal note and, therefore SB 313 was left
pending before the Committee. There being no further testimony for
or against, and no objections, the hearing was closed on SB 313.
Senator Shapleigh then made a motion for the approval of the minutes
from the last hearing and by unanimous consent, the minutes were
approved.
The Chair recognized Senator Shapleigh for an introduction to the
Committee of the students from El Paso, TX who were identified as
community scholars who have been studying public policy issues in
Texas. They were recognized and welcomed by Senator Truan.
There being no further business to transact, Senator Luna moved that
the Committee stand recessed at 11:44 a.m. subject to call of the
Chair. There being no objections, the motion passed.
_____________________________________________
Senator Carlos F. Truan, Chairman
_____________________________________________
Emma Dibbles, Committee Clerk
Attachment