MINUTES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON VETERAN AFFAIRS

Tuesday, May 9, 2023

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, May 9, 2023, 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 César Blanco
Senator Sarah Eckhardt
Senator Bob Hall
Senator Kevin Sparks

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The chair called the meeting to order at 9:00 AM. There being a quorum present, the following business was transacted:

The chair laid out HB 562 and recognized the Senate Sponsor, Senator Flores, to explain the bill. Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached list. The chair moved that public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered. The chair moved that HB 562 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out HB 587 and recognized the Senate Sponsor, Senator Blanco, to explain the bill. Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached list. The chair moved that public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered. The chair moved that HB 587 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Parker assumed the chair.

The chair laid out HB 4615 and recognized the Senate Sponsor, Senator Blanco, to explain the bill. Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached list. The chair moved that public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered. The chair moved that HB 4615 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Hancock resumed the chair.

The chair laid out HB 562, as a matter of pending business, by Senator Flores. Senator Parker

moved that HB 562 be reported back to the full 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 HB 562 be recommended for the Local and Uncontested

Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out HB 587, as a matter of pending business, by Senator Blanco. Senator Blanco

moved that HB 587 be reported back to the full 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 Blanco moved that HB 587 be recommended for the Local and Uncontested

Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out HB 1633, in lieu of SB 653, by Senator Blanco. Senator Blanco moved that HB 1633 be reported back to the full 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 Blanco moved that HB 1633 be recommended for the Local and Uncontested

Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Parked assumed the chair.

The chair laid out HB 4615, as a matter of pending business, by Senator Hancock. Senator Hancock moved that HB 4615 be reported back to the full 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 HB 4615 be recommended for the Local and Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Hancock resumed the chair.

The chair laid out HB 2248 and recognized the Senate Sponsor, Senator Alvarado, to explain the bill. Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached list. The chair moved that public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Parker moved that HB 2248 be reported back to the full 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 HB 2248 be recommended for the Local and Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

There being no further business to come before the committee, the committee stood in recess

subject to the call of the chair.

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Senator Kelly Hancock, Chair

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Kennedy Calvo, Clerk