MINUTES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON VETERAN AFFAIRS

Tuesday, April 1, 2025

9:00 AM

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 was held on Tuesday, April 1, 2025, in the Betty King Committee Room at Austin, Texas.

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MEMBERS PRESENT:	MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Kelly Hancock, Chair	Senator Roland Gutierrez
Senator Tan Parker, Vice Chair
Senator Sarah Eckhardt
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 SB 1197 and recognized the author, Senator Birdwell, 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 SB 1197 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

At 9:02 AM Senator Menéndez assumed the chair.

The chair laid out SB 1271 and recognized the author, Senator Hancock, to explain the bill.

Senator Hall sent up a committee substitute.  The chair recognized Senator Hancock to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed.

No witnesses registered or testified on the bill. The chair moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Hancock moved that SB 1271 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

At 9:05 AM Senator Hancock resumed the chair.

The chair laid out SB 390 and recognized Senator Menéndez, in the absence of the author, to explain the bill.

Senator Hancock moved that SB 390 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair called roll at 9:09 AM and a quorum was established.

The following members arrived after the roll was called: Senator Parker, Senator Hagenbuch.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 651. Senator Hall moved adoption of the committee substitute. Without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Hall moved that SB 651 do not pass but that CSSB 651 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 4 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 3 absent.

Senator Hall 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 897. Senator Hall moved adoption of the committee substitute. Without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Hall moved that SB 897 do not pass but that CSSB 897 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 4 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 3 absent.

Senator Hall 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 1197.

Senator Hall moved that SB 1197 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 4 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 3 absent.

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

At 9:10 AM Senator Hall assumed the chair.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 1814.

Senator Hancock moved that SB 1814 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 4 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 3 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 SB 1271. Senator Hancock moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Hancock moved that SB 1271 do not pass but that CSSB 1271 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. CSSB 1271 failed to receive an affirmative vote.

At 9:12 AM Senator Hancock resumed the chair.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 390.

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 SB 390 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

There being no further business, at 9:32 AM 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