MINUTES

 

SENATE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Tuesday, March 24, 2015

9:00 AM

Capitol Extension, Room E1.012

 

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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 Natural Resources & Economic Development was held on Tuesday, March 24, 2015, in the Capitol Extension, Room E1.012, at Austin, Texas.

 

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MEMBERS PRESENT:

 

MEMBERS ABSENT:

Senator Troy Fraser, Chair

 

Senator Juan Hinojosa

Senator Craig Estes, Vice Chair

 

 

Senator Brian Birdwell

 

 

Senator Bob Hall

 

 

Senator Kelly Hancock

 

 

Senator Eddie Lucio, Jr.

 

 

Senator Robert Nichols

 

 

Senator Kel Seliger

 

 

Senator Carlos Uresti

 

 

Senator Judith Zaffirini

 

 

 

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The chair called the meeting to order at 9:12 AM. There being a quorum present, the following business was transacted:

 

The chair laid out SB 804 and recognized the author, Senator Seliger, to explain the bill.

Witnesses 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 Fraser moved that SB 804 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

Senator Estes assumed the chair.

 

The chair laid out SB 633 and recognized the author, Senator Fraser, to explain the bill. Senator Fraser sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Fraser to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed. Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached list. Senator Fraser moved to limit testimony to two minutes; without objection, it was so ordered. The chair moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Estes moved that SB 633 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out SB 1165 and recognized the author, Senator Fraser, to explain the bill.

Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached list.

 

Senator Zaffirini assumed the chair.

 

Senator Estes resumed the chair.

 

Senator Estes moved that SB 1165 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

Senator Fraser assumed the chair.

 

At 11:00 AM Senator Fraser moved that the Committee stand recessed until 20 minutes after adjournment of the Senate. Without objection, it was so ordered.

 

At 1:20 PM Senator Fraser reconvened the meeting.

 

Senator Zaffirini assumed the chair.

 

The chair laid out SB 1165, pending business, and continued with public testimony.

 

Senator Estes resumed the chair.

 

Senator Fraser moved that SB 1165 be left pending temporally; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Fraser resumed the chair.

 

The chair laid out SB 804, pending business, and recognized the author, Senator Seliger. Senator Seliger moved that SB 804 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 10 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent. Senator Seliger moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

Senator Estes assumed the chair.

 

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 633 and recognized the author, Senator Fraser. Senator Fraser moved adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Fraser moved that SB 633 do not pass but that CSSB 633 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 10 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent. Senator Fraser 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 from a previous hearing SB 774 and recognized the author, Senator Fraser, to explain the bill. Senator Fraser sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Fraser to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed. Senator Fraser moved adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Fraser moved that SB 774 do not pass but that CSSB 774 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 10 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent. Senator Fraser 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 776 and recognized the author, Senator Fraser, to explain the bill. Senator Fraser moved to withdraw SB 776 committee substitute, committee amendment 1, and committee amendment 2 that were left pending at previous hearing. Without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Fraser sent up a new committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Fraser to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed. Senator Fraser moved adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Fraser sent up Committee Amendment 1 and explained the amendment.  Senator Fraser moved adoption of Committee Amendment 1; without objection, the amendment was adopted. Senator Fraser requested unanimous consent to incorporate the amendment into a committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Fraser then moved that the committee substitute be adopted; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Fraser moved that SB 776 do not pass but that CSSB 776 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 10 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.  Senator Fraser 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 777 and recognized the author, Senator Fraser, to explain the bill. Senator Fraser moved to withdraw SB 777 committee substitute that was left pending at previous hearing. Without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Fraser sent up a new committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Fraser to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed. Senator Fraser moved adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Fraser moved that SB 777 do not pass but that CSSB 777 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 10 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent. Senator Fraser 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 from a previous hearing SB 933 and recognized the author, Senator Fraser, to explain the bill. Senator Fraser moved adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Fraser moved that SB 933 do not pass but that CSSB 933 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 10 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent. Senator Fraser 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 from a previous hearing SB 931 and recognized the author, Senator Fraser, to explain the bill. Senator Fraser moved adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

Senator Zaffirini assumed the chair.

 

Senator Estes sent up Committee Amendment 1 and explained the amendment. Senator Estes 

moved adoption of Committee Amendment 1; without objection, the amendment was adopted.

Senator Estes requested unanimous consent to incorporate the amendment into a committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Estes then moved that the committee substitute be adopted; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

Senator Estes resumed the chair.

 

Senator Fraser moved that SB 931 do not pass but that CSSB 931 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 8 ayes, 2 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.

 

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 1165 and continued with public testimony.

The chair moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Fraser moved that SB 1165 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 9 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 2 absent.

 

Senator Fraser assumed the chair.

 

Motions in Writing requesting unanimous consent to be shown voting aye were submitted by the following: Senator Nichols on SB 1165; Senator Lucio on CSSB 633, SB 804, CSSB 774, CSSB 776, CSSB 777, CSSB 933, and CSSB 931; Senator Uresti on CSSB 633, CSSB 774, SB 804, CSSB 776, CSSB 777, and CSSB 933. These votes are reflected in the final votes on the aforementioned bills.

 

A Motion in Writing requesting unanimous consent to be shown voting nay was submitted by the following: Senator Uresti on CSSB 931. This vote is reflected in the final vote on the aforementioned bill.

 

There being no further business, at 2:55 PM Senator Fraser moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of the chair. Without objection, it was so ordered.

 

 

 

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Senator Troy Fraser, Chair

 

 

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Tatum Reagan, Clerk