MINUTES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON VETERAN AFFAIRS

Thursday, May 15, 2025

9:00 AM

Capitol Extension, Room E1.036

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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 was held on Thursday, May 15, 2025, in the Capitol Extension, Room E1.036, at Austin, Texas.

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MEMBERS PRESENT:	MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Kelly Hancock, Chair	Senator Sarah Eckhardt
Senator Tan Parker, Vice Chair
Senator Roland Gutierrez
Senator Brent Hagenbuch
Senator Bob Hall
Senator José Menéndez

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The chair called the meeting to order at 9:00 AM. A quorum was not yet established, the following business was transacted:

The chair laid out HB 114 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Zaffirini, to explain the bill.

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

No witnesses testified on the bill.

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

Senator Hancock moved that HB 114 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out HB 1965 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Menéndez, 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 Hancock moved that HB 1965 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out HB 2513 and recognized Senator Menéndez, in the absence of the Senate sponsor, 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 Hancock moved that HB 2513 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out HB 1875 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Pete Flores, to explain the bill.

No witnesses testified on the bill.

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

Senator Hancock moved that HB 1875 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out HB 39 and recognized Senator Menéndez, in the absence of the Senate sponsor, 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 Hancock moved that HB 39 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out HB 1894 and recognized Senator Menéndez, in the absence of the Senate sponsor, to explain the bill.

No witnesses testified on the bill.

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

Senator Hancock moved that HB 1894 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

There being no further business, at 9:14 AM Senator Hancock moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of the chair. Without objection, it was so ordered.

At 6:10 PM Senator Hancock reconvened the meeting. There being a quorum present, the following business was transacted:

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business HB 39.

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

Senator Parker moved that HB 39 do not pass but that CSHB 39 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 Parker 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 114.

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

Senator Menéndez moved that HB 114 do not pass but that CSHB 114 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 Parker 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 1875.

Senator Parker moved that HB 1875 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 Parker 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 1894.

Senator Parker moved that HB 1894 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 Parker 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 1965.

Senator Menéndez moved that HB 1965 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 Menéndez 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 2513.

Senator Parker moved that HB 2513 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 Parker moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Parker assumed the chair.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business HB 102.

Senator Hancock moved that HB 102 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 Hancock 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 300.

Senator Hancock moved that HB 300 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 Hancock moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Hancock resumed the chair.

There being no further business, Senator Hancock moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of the chair. Without objection, it was so ordered.

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Senator Kelly Hancock, Chair

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Clark Garcia, Clerk