MINUTES
SENATE COMMITTEE ON VETERAN AFFAIRS
Friday, May 23, 2025
8:00 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 Friday, May 23, 2025, in the Betty King Committee Room at Austin, Texas.
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MEMBERS PRESENT: |
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MEMBERS ABSENT: |
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Senator Kelly Hancock, Chair |
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Senator Tan Parker, Vice Chair |
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Senator Sarah Eckhardt |
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Senator Bob Hall |
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Senator Roland Gutierrez |
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Senator Brent Hagenbuch |
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Senator José Menéndez |
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The chair called the meeting to order at 8:00 AM. Quorum was not yet established, the following business was transacted:
The chair laid out HB 2193 and recognized Senator Eckhardt, 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 2193 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.
The chair laid out HB 5646 and recognized Senator Eckhardt, in the absence of the Senate sponsor, to explain the bill.
Senator Eckhardt sent up a committee substitute. The chair recognized Senator Eckhardt 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 Hancock moved that HB 5646 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.
The chair laid out HB 5308 and recognized Senator Eckhardt, 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 5308 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.
The chair laid out HB 101 and recognized Senator Eckhardt, 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 101 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.
The chair laid out HB 290 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Hagenbuch, 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 290 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.
The chair laid out HB 3359 and recognized Senator Eckhardt, in the absence of the Senate sponsor, to explain the bill.
No witnesses registered on the bill.
The chair moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered.
Senator Hancock moved that HB 3359 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.
There being no further business, at 8:12 AM Senator Hancock moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of the chair. Without objection, it was so ordered.
At 11:00 AM Senator Hancock reconvened the meeting.
The chair laid out as a matter of pending business HB 101.
Senator Menéndez moved that HB 101 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 5 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 2 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 2193.
Senator Menéndez moved that HB 2193 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 5 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 2 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 5308.
Senator Menéndez moved that HB 5308 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 5 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 2 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 5629 in lieu of SB 2255.
Senator Menéndez moved that HB 5629 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 5 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 2 absent.
Senator Menéndez 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 11:04 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