MINUTES 
          
                      SENATE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES 
                             Tuesday, April 6, 1999 
                                     2:00 pm 
                                 Senate Chamber 
          
                                      ***** 
          
         Pursuant to a notice posted in accordance with Senate Rule  
         11.11, a public hearing of the Senate Committee on Natural  
         Resources was held on Tuesday, April 6, 1999 in the Senate  
         Chamber at Austin, Texas.   
          
                                      ***** 
          
         MEMBERS PRESENT:                        MEMBERS ABSENT: 
         Senator J. E. "Buster" Brown, Chair     Senator Bill Ratliff 
         Senator Kenneth Armbrister 
         Senator Gonzalo Barrientos 
         Senator Teel Bivins 
         Senator Tom Haywood 
         Senator Eddie Lucio, Jr. 
          
                                      ***** 
          
         The Chair called the meeting to order at 2:20 pm.  There being  
         a quorum present, the following business was transacted.   
          
         Senator Bivins moved that the Minutes from the March 30th and  
         March 31st hearing be adopted.  There being no objection, it  
         was so ordered. 
          
         The Chair laid out the Subcommittee on Ag report and moved for  
         its adoption; without objection, it was so ordered. 
          
         The Chair laid out SB 1241 and Senator Bivins explained the  
         bill. 
          
         Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on  
         the attached list. 
          
         Senator Bivins moved that SB 1241 be reported favorably to the  
         full Senate.  The motion carried with a vote of 4 ayes, 0  
         nays, 0 present not voting and 3 absent.  Senator Bivins moved  
         that SB 1241 be recommended for placement on the Local &  
         Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered. 
          
         The Chair laid out SB 197 and Senator Barrientos explained the  
         bill. 
          
         Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on  
         the attached list. 
          
         Senator Barrientos moved that SB 197 be reported favorably to  
         the full Senate.  The motion carried with a vote of 5 ayes, 0  
         nays, 0 present not voting and 2 absent.  Senator Barrientos  
         moved that SB 197 be recommended for placement on the Local &  
         Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.  
          
         The Chair laid out SB 992 and Senator Lucio explained the  
         bill. 
          
         No public testimony was taken on the bill. 
          
         Senator Lucio moved that SB 992 be reported favorably to the  
         full Senate.  The motion carried with a vote of 5 ayes, 0  
         nays, 0 present not voting and 2 absent.  Senator Lucio moved  
         that SB 992 be recommended for placement on the Local &  
         Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered. 
          
         The Chair laid out CSSB 1028 and Senator Lucio explained the  
         bill. 
          
         No public testimony was taken on the bill. 
          
         Senator Lucio moved that CSSB 1028 be reported favorably to  
         the full Senate.  The motion carried with a vote of 5 ayes, 0  
         nays, 0 present not voting and 2 absent.   
          
         Senator Barrientos moved that the Committee vote on CSSB 1028  
         be reconsidered.  Senator Lucio asked that CSSB 1028 be left  
         pending due to the fiscal note. 
          
         The Chair laid out SB 774 and Senator Lucio explained the  
         bill. 
          
         Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on  
         the attached list. 
          
         Senator Lucio moved that SB 774 be reported favorably to the  
         full Senate.  The motion carried with a vote of 5 ayes, 0  
         nays, 0 present not voting and 2 absent.  Senator Lucio moved  
         that SB 774 be recommended for placement on the Local &  
         Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered. 
          
         The Chair laid out SB 690 and Senator Lucio explained the  
         bill.  Senator Lucio sent up a Committee Substitute and  
         explained the differences. 
         Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on  
         the attached list. 
          
         Senator Lucio moved adoption of the Committee Substitute for  
         SB 690; without objection, the Substitute was adopted.   
         Senator Lucio moved that CSSB 690 be reported favorably to the  
         full Senate  
  
         with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.  The  
         motion carried with a vote of 5 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not  
         voting, and 2 absent.  Senator Lucio moved that CSSB 690 be  
         recommended for 
         placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without  
         objection, it was so ordered. 
          
         The Chair laid out SB 889 and Senator Harris, the author,  
         explained the bill.  Senator Barrientos sent up a Committee  
         Substitute and Senator Harris explained the differences in the  
         Substitute.   
          
         Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on  
         the attached list. 
          
         Senator Barrientos moved adoption of the Committee Substitute;  
         without objection, the Substitute was adopted.  The bill was  
         left pending before the Committee. 
          
         The Chair laid out SB 1667 and Senator Barrientos sent up a  
         Committee substitute before Senator Jackson explained the  
         differences in the Substitute.  
          
         Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on  
         the attached list. 
          
         Testimony on the bill was closed and the bill was left  
         pending, awaiting a quorum. 
          
         The Chair laid out CSSB 1532 and Senator Carona, the author,  
         explained the bill.  There was no public testimony and the  
         bill was left pending awaiting the arrival of a quorum. 
          
         The Chair laid out SB 1447 and Senator Barrientos explained  
         the bill. 
          
         Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on  
         the attached list. 
          
         Senator Barrientos sent up Committee Amendments One and Two  
         and moved their adoption; without objection, the amendments  
         were adopted.   
          
         Public testimony on the bill was closed and SB 1447 as amended  
         was left pending, awaiting the arrival of a quorum. 
          
         At 3:35 pm, Senator Barrientos assumed the Chair and laid out  
         SB 1300.  Senator Brown sent up a Committee Substitute and  
         explained the differences in the Substitute.  Senator Brown  
         moved adoption  
         of the Substitute; without objection, the Substitute was  
         adopted. 
          
         Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on  
         the attached list. 
  
         Public testimony was closed and the bill was left pending,  
         awaiting the arrival of a quorum. 
          
         The Chair laid out SB 1594 and Senator Brown explained the  
         bill.  Senator Brown sent up a Committee Substitute and moved  
         adoption of the Substitute; without objection, the Substitute  
         was adopted. 
          
         Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on  
         the attached list. 
          
         Public testimony was closed and the bill was left pending,  
         awaiting the arrival of a quorum. 
          
         The Chair laid out HB 1289 and Senator Brown explained the  
         bill.   
          
         Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on  
         the attached list. 
          
         Public testimony was closed and the bill was left pending,  
         awaiting the arrival of a quorum. 
          
         At 4:52 pm, Senator Brown assumed the Chair and laid out SB  
         1154.  Senator Bernsen, the author, explained the bill and  
         Senator Barrientos sent up a Committee Substitute.   
          
         Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on  
         the attached list.   
          
         Senator Barrientos moved adoption of the Substitute; without  
         objection, the Substitute was adopted. 
          
         Public testimony on the bill was closed and the bill was left  
         pending, awaiting the arrival of a quorum. 
          
         The Chair laid out SB 1685 and Senator Bernsen, the author,  
         explained the bill.  Senator Lucio sent up a Committee  
         Substitute and Senator Bernsen explained the differences in  
         the Substitute.  Senator Lucio  
         moved adoption of the Substitute; without objection, the  
         Substitute was adopted.   
          
         Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on  
         the attached list. 
          
         Public testimony was closed and the bill was left pending,  
         awaiting a quorum. 
          
         The Chair, again, laid out CSSB 1685 and Senator Lucio sent up  
         Committee Amendment One and Senator Bernsen explained the  
         Amendment.  Senator Lucio moved its adoption; without  
         objection, the amendment was adopted.  Senator Lucio moved  
         that Amendment One be rolled into a new Committee Substitute;  
  
         without objection, it was so ordered.  The new Substitute was  
         then adopted.  CSSB 1685 was left pending before the  
         Committee. 
          
         The Chair laid out SB 1690 and Senator Lucio sent up a  
         Committee Substitute.  Senator Bernsen explained the  
         differences to the Substitute. 
          
         At 4:22 pm, Senator Lucio assumed the Chair. 
          
         Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on  
         the attached list.  The bill was left pending. 
          
         The Chair again laid out the Committee Substitute to SB 1690  
         and moved adoption; without objection, the substitute was  
         adopted. Senator Barrientos sent up Committee Amendments One  
         and Two and moved their adoption; without objection, the  
         amendments were adopted.  Senator Barrientos moved that  
         Amendments One and Two be rolled into a new Committee  
         Substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.  The new  
         Substitute was then adopted. The bill was left pending before  
         the Committee. 
          
         The Chair laid out CSSB 1430 and Senator Duncan explained the  
         Committee Substitute that passed out of the Subcommittee on  
         Agriculture.   Senator Lucio sent up Committee Amendment 
         One and moved adoption; without objection, the amendments were  
         adopted.  Senator Lucio moved that Amendment One be rolled  
         into a new Committee Substitute; without objection, it was so  
         ordered. 
          
         Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on  
         the attached list. 
          
         Public testimony on the bill was closed and the bill was left  
         pending, awaiting a quorum. 
          
         The Chair laid out SB 1429 and Senator Duncan explained the  
         bill.   
          
         Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on  
         the attached list. 
          
         Senator Lucio sent up Committee Amendment One and moved its  
         adoption; without objection, the amendment was adopted.   
         Senator Lucio moved that SB 1429, as amended, be reported  
         favorably to the full Senate.  The motion carried with a vote  
         of 4 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 3 absent.   
         Senator Lucio moved that SB 1429 be recommended for placement  
         on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was  
         so ordered. 
          
         The Chair laid out SB 950 and Senator Duncan explained the  
         bill.  Senator Armbrister sent up Committee Amendment One and  
         Two and moved their adoption; without objection, the  
  
         amendments were adopted.   
          
         Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on  
         the attached list. 
          
         Public testimony on the bill was closed and Senator Lucio  
         moved that SB 950 be reported favorably, as amended, to the  
         full Senate.  The motion carried with a vote of 4 ayes, 0  
         nays, 0 present not voting, and 3 absent. 
          
         The Chair laid out SB 1797 and Senator Armbrister sent up a  
         Committee Substitute.  Senator Duncan, the author, explained  
         the differences to the Substitute.  Senator Armbrister moved  
         adoption of the Committee Substitute; without objection, the  
         Substitute was adopted.  The bill was left pending before the  
         Committee. 
          
         The Chair laid out SB 700 and Senator Lindsay, the author,  
         explained the bill.  Senator Armbrister sent  up a Committee  
         Substitute. 
          
         Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on  
         the attached list. 
          
         Public testimony on the bill was closed and the Chair referred  
         SB 700 to the Subcommittee on Groundwater Districts. 
          
         The Chair laid out SB 1500 and Senator Lindsay, the author,  
         explained the bill.  Senator Armbrister sent up a Committee  
         Substitute. 
          
         Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on  
         the attached list. 
          
         Public testimony was closed on the bill and Senator Armbrister  
         moved adoption of the Committee Substitute; without objection,  
         the Substitute was adopted.  The bill was left pending before  
         the Committee. 
          
         The Chair laid out SB 1755 and Senator Armbrister sent up a  
         Committee Substitute, explained the differences to the  
         Substitute. 
          
         Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on  
         the attached list. 
          
         Senator Armbrister moved adoption of the Committee Substitute;  
         without objection, the Substitute was adopted. Senator  
         Armbrister moved that CSSB 1755 be reported favorably to the  
         full Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be  
         printed.  The motion carried with a vote of 4 ayes, 0 nays, 0  
         present not voting and 3 absent.  Senator Armbister moved that  
         CSSB 1755 be recommended for placement on the Local &  
         Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered. 
          
         Senator Armbrister moved adoption of the Committee Substitute  
         to SB 1667; without objection, the Substitute was adopted.   
         Senator Armbrister moved that CSSB 1667 be reported favorably  
         to the full 
         Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.   
         The motion carried with a vote of 4 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present  
         not voting, and 3 absent.  Senator Lucio moved that CSSB 1667  
         be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested  
         Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered. 
          
         The Chair laid out CSSB 1532 and Senator Bivins sent up  
         Committee Amendment One and moved its adoption; without  
         objection, the amendment was adopted.  Senator Bivins moved  
         that Amendment One be rolled into a new Committee Substitute;  
         without objection, it was so ordered.  Senator Bivins moved  
         that CSSB 1532 be adopted and be reported favorably to the  
         full Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be  
         printed.  The motion carried with a vote of 4 ayes, 0 nays, 0  
         present not voting, and 3 absent.  Senator Bivins moved that  
         CSSB 1532 be recommended for placement on the Local &  
         Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered. 
          
         Senator Lucio moved that SB 1447, as amended, pass and be  
         reported favorably to the full Senate.  The motion carried  
         with a vote of 4 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 3  
         absent.  Senator Lucio moved that SB 1447 be recommended for  
         placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without  
         objection, it was so ordered. 
          
         Senator Armbrister moved that CSSB 1300 pass and be reported  
         favorably to the full Senate.  The motion carried with a vote  
         of 4 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting and 3 absent.  Senator  
         Armbrister moved that CSSB 1300 be recommended for placement  
         on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was  
         so ordered. 
          
         Senator Armbrister moved that HB 1289 pass and be reported  
         favorably to the full Senate.  The motion carried with a vote  
         of 4 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 3 absent.   
         Senator Armbrister moved that HB 1289 be recommended for  
         placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without  
         objection, it was so ordered. 
          
         Senator Lucio moved that CSSB 1594 pass and be reported  
         favorably to the full Senate.  The motion carried with a vote  
         of 4 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 3 absent.   
         Senator Lucio moved that CSSB 1594 be recommended for  
         placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without  
         objection, it was so ordered. 
          
         Senator Bivins moved that CSSB 1430 pass and be reported  
         favorably to the full Senate.  The motion carried with a vote  
         of 4 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 3 absent.   
         Senator Bivins moved that CSSB 1430 be recommended for  
         placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without  
  
         objection, it was so ordered. 
          
         Senator Armbrister moved that CSSB 1500 be reported favorably  
         to the full Senate.  One motion failed  with a vote of 3 ayes,  
         1 nay, and 3 absent. 
          
         Senator Armbrister then moved that his vote on CSSB 1500 be  
         changed from aye to nay.  The bill was left pending before the  
         Committee. 
          
         There being no further business, at 7:38 pm Senator Armbrister  
         moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of  
         the Chair.  Without objection, it was so ordered. 
          
         ___________________________                        
                                                           _____________ 
                                                           ___________ 
         Senator J.E. "Buster" Brown, Chair                           
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