MINUTES 
                                           
                       SENATE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES 
                                Friday, May 11, 2001 
                           2:00 p.m. or upon adjournment 
                           Capitol Extension, Room E1.012 
                                           
                                       ***** 
                                           
         Pursuant to a notice posted in accordance with Senate Rule  
         11.18, a public hearing of the Senate Committee on Natural  
         Resources was held on Friday, May 11, 2001, in the Capitol  
         Extension, Room E1.012, at Austin, Texas. 
          
                                       ***** 
                                           
         MEMBERS PRESENT:                        MEMBERS ABSENT: 
         Senator J. E. Brown                     None 
         Senator Robert Duncan 
         Senator Gonzalo Barrientos 
         Senator David Bernsen 
         Senator Teel Bivins 
         Senator Tom Haywood 
         Senator Eddie Lucio, Jr. 
                                           
                                       ***** 
                                           
         The Chair called the meeting to order at 2:12 p.m.  There being  
         a quorum present, the following business was transacted:   
          
         The Chair laid out HCR98 and recognized the Senate sponsor,  
         Senator Staples, to explain the bill.  Public testimony was  
         closed.  Senator Barrientos moved that HCR98 be reported  
         favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass  
         and be printed.  The motion carried with a record vote of 6  
         ayes, 0 nay, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.  Senator Lucio  
         moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local &  
         Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.   
          
         The Chair laid out HB779 and recognized the Senate sponsor,  
         Senator Armbrister, to explain the bill.  Public testimony was  
         taken.  Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are  
         shown on the attached list.  Public testimony was closed.  
         Senator Lucio moved that HB779 be reported favorably to the  
         Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.   
         The motion carried with a record vote of 6 ayes, 0 nay, 0  
         present not voting, and 1 absent.  Senator Lucio moved that the  
  
         bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested  
         Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.   
          
         The Chair laid out HB2643 and recognized the Senate sponsor,  
         Senator Armbrister, to explain the bill.  Public testimony was  
         closed.  Senator Duncan moved that HB2643 be reported favorably  
         to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be  
         printed.  The motion carried with a record vote of 6 ayes, 0  
         nay, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.  Senator Duncan moved  
         that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local &  
         Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.   
          
         The Chair laid out HB3231 and recognized the Senate sponsor,  
         Senator Armbrister, to explain the bill.  Public testimony was  
         closed.  Senator Lucio moved that HB3231 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  
         nay, 1 present not voting, and 1 absent.  Senator Lucio moved  
         that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local &  
         Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.   
          
         The Chair laid out HCR177 and recognized the Senate sponsor,  
         Senator Jackson, to explain the bill.  Public testimony was  
         closed.  Senator Barrientos moved that HCR177 be reported  
         favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass  
         and be printed.  The motion carried with a record vote of 6  
         ayes, 0 nay, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.  Senator Lucio  
         moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local &  
         Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.   
          
         The Chair laid out HB2806 and recognized the Senate sponsor,  
         Senator Barrientos, to explain the bill.  The bill was laid on  
         the table. 
          
         The Chair laid out HCR245 and recognized Senator Barrientos, in  
         the absence of the Senate sponsor, to explain the bill.  Public  
         testimony was closed.  Senator Barrientos moved that HCR245 be  
         reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it  
         do pass and be printed.  The motion carried with a record vote  
         of 6 ayes, 0 nay, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.  Senator  
         Barrientos moved that the bill be recommended for placement on  
         the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so  
         ordered.   
          
         The Chair laid out HB1128 and recognized the Senate sponsor,  
         Senator Lucio, to explain the bill.  Public testimony was  
         closed.  Senator Lucio moved that HB1128 be reported favorably  
         to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be  
         printed.  The motion carried with a record vote of 6 ayes, 0  
         nay, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.  Senator Lucio moved  
         that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local &  
         Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.   
          
         The Chair again laid out HB2806 and recognized the Senate  
         sponsor, Senator Barrientos, to explain the bill.  Public  
  
         testimony was taken.  Witnesses testifying and registering on  
         the bill are shown on the attached list.  Public testimony was  
         closed.  Senator Barrientos moved that HB2806 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 nay, 0 present not voting, and 3 absent.  Senator  
         Barrientos moved that the bill be recommended for placement on  
         the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so  
         ordered.   
          
         Senator Duncan assumed the Chair.   
          
         The Chair laid out HB2994 and recognized the Senate sponsor,  
         Senator Brown, to explain the bill.  Senator Brown sent up  
         Committee Amendment 1 and moved adoption; without objection, the  
         amendment was adopted.  Public testimony was closed.  Senator  
         Brown moved that HB2994, as amended, be reported back to the  
         Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.   
         The motion carried with a record vote of 5 ayes, 0 nay, 0  
         present not voting, and 2 absent.  Senator Brown moved that the  
         bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested  
         Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.     
          
         Senator Brown resumed the Chair.   
          
         The Chair laid out HB3693 and recognized Senator Bivins, in the  
         absence of the Senate sponsor, to explain the bill.  Public  
         testimony was closed.  Senator Bivins moved that HB3693 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 nay, 0 present not voting, and 2 absent.  Senator  
         Bivins moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the  
         Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so  
         ordered.   
          
         The Chair laid out HB631 and recognized Senator Barrientos, in  
         the absence of the Senate sponsor, to explain the bill.  Public  
         testimony was closed.  Senator Barrientos moved that HB631 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 nay, 0 present not voting, and 2 absent.  Senator  
         Barrientos moved that the bill be recommended for placement on  
         the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so  
         ordered.   
          
         The Chair laid out HB1317 and recognized the Senate sponsor,  
         Senator Haywood, to explain the bill.  Public testimony was  
         taken.  Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are  
         shown on the attached list.  Public testimony was closed.   
         Senator Haywood moved that HB1317 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 nay, 0  
         present not voting, and 2 absent.  Senator Haywood moved that  
         the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested  
         Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.   
  
         Senator Duncan assumed the Chair.   
          
         The Chair laid out HB2134 and recognized the Senate sponsor,  
         Senator Brown, to explain the bill.  Public testimony was taken.   
         Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on  
         the attached list.  Public testimony was closed.  The bill was  
         left pending awaiting a quorum.  
          
         The Chair laid out HB3676 and recognized the Senate sponsor,  
         Senator Haywood, to explain the bill.  Public testimony was  
         closed.  The bill was left pending awaiting a quorum. 
          
         Senator Haywood assumed the Chair.   
          
         The Chair laid out HB2719 and recognized the Senate sponsor,  
         Senator Brown, to explain the bill.  Public testimony was  
         closed.  The bill was left pending awaiting a quorum. 
          
         Senator Brown resumed the Chair.   
          
         The Committee stood at ease. 
          
         The Chair called the Committee back to order at 4:07 p.m. 
          
         Senator Lucio moved that HB2134 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 nay, 0  
         present not voting, and 3 absent.  Senator Lucio moved that the  
         bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested  
         Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.   
         Senator Haywood moved that HB3123, left pending in a previous  
         hearing, 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 nay, 0 present not  
         voting, and 3 absent.  Senator Haywood moved that the bill be  
         recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar;  
         without objection, it was so ordered.   
          
         Senator Haywood moved that HB3676 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 nay, 0  
         present not voting, and 2 absent.  Senator Haywood moved that  
         the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested  
         Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.   
          
         Senator Lucio moved that HB2719 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 nay, 0  
         present not voting, and 3 absent.  Senator Lucio moved that the  
         bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested  
         Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.   
          
         Senator Lucio assumed the Chair.   
          
         The Chair laid out HB3209 and recognized the Senate sponsor,  
         Senator Brown, to explain the bill.  Public testimony was  
         closed.  Senator Brown moved that HB3209 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  
         nay, 0 present not voting, and 2 absent.   
          
         The Chair laid out HB3243 and recognized Senator Lucio, in the  
         absence of the Senate sponsor, to explain the bill.  Public  
         testimony was taken.  Witnesses testifying and registering on  
         the bill are shown on the attached list.  Public testimony was  
         closed.  Senator Lucio moved that HB3243 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  
         nay, 0 present not voting, and 3 absent.   
          
         The Chair laid out SCR54 and recognized Senator Barrientos, in  
         the absence of the author, to explain the bill.  Public  
         testimony was closed. The bill was left pending before the  
         Committee. 
          
         The Committee stood recessed subject to the call of the Chair. 
          
         The Chair called the Committee back to order at 6:40 p.m. 
         The Chair laid out HB2138 and recognized the Senate sponsor,  
         Senator Lindsay, to explain the bill.  Public testimony was  
         closed.   
          
         The Chair laid out HB3348 and recognized the Senate sponsor,  
         Senator Haywood, to explain the bill.  Public testimony was  
         closed. 
          
         The Chair laid out HB3698 and recognized Senator Bernsen, in the  
         absence of the Senate sponsor, to explain the bill.  Public  
         testimony was closed. 
          
         The Chair laid out HB3242 and recognized Senator Bernsen, in the  
         absence of the Senate sponsor, to explain the bill.  Public  
         testimony was closed. 
          
         The Chair laid out HB1915 and recognized Senator Bernsen, in the  
         absence of the Senate sponsor, to explain the bill.  Public  
         testimony was closed. 
          
         The Chair laid out HB3205 and recognized the Senate sponsor,  
         Senator Barrientos, to explain the bill.  Public testimony was  
         closed. 
          
         The Chair laid out HB2271 and recognized the Senate sponsor,  
         Senator Duncan, to explain the bill.  Public testimony was  
         closed. 
          
         The Chair laid out HB2687 and recognized the Senate sponsor,  
         Senator Duncan, to explain the bill.  Public testimony was  
         closed. 
  
         Senator Lucio moved that HB1915 be reported favorably to the  
         Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.   
         The motion carried with a record vote of 6 ayes, 0 nay, 0  
         present not voting, and 1 absent.  Senator Lucio moved that the  
         bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested  
         Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.   
          
         Senator Duncan moved that HB2138 be reported favorably to the  
         Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.   
         The motion carried with a record vote of 6 ayes, 0 nay, 0  
         present not voting, and 1 absent.  Senator Duncan moved that the  
         bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested  
         Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.   
          
         Senator Duncan moved that HB2271 be reported favorably to the  
         Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.   
         The motion carried with a record vote of 6 ayes, 0 nay, 0  
         present not voting, and 1 absent.   
          
         Senator Duncan moved that HB2687 be reported favorably to the  
         Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.   
         The motion carried with a record vote of 6 ayes, 0 nay, 0  
         present not voting, and 1 absent.  Senator Duncan moved that the  
         bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested  
         Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.   
          
         Senator Barrientos moved that HB3205 be reported favorably to  
         the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be  
         printed.  The motion carried with a record vote of 6 ayes, 0  
         nay, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.  Senator Barrientos  
         moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local &  
         Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.   
          
         Senator Bernsen moved that HB3242 be reported favorably to the  
         Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.   
         The motion carried with a record vote of 6 ayes, 0 nay, 0  
         present not voting, and 1 absent.  Senator Bernsen moved that  
         the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested  
         Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.   
          
         Senator Haywood moved that HB3348 be reported favorably to the  
         Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.   
         The motion carried with a record vote of 6 ayes, 0 nay, 0  
         present not voting, and 1 absent.  Senator Haywood moved that  
         the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested  
         Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.   
          
         Senator Lucio moved that HB3698 be reported favorably to the  
         Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.   
         The motion carried with a record vote of 6 ayes, 0 nay, 0  
         present not voting, and 1 absent.  Senator Lucio moved that the  
         bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested  
         Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.   
          
         Senator Bernsen moved that SCR54 be reported favorably to the  
         Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.   
         The motion carried with a record vote of 6 ayes, 0 nay, 0  
         present not voting, and 1 absent.  Senator Bernsen moved that  
         the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested  
         Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.   
          
         The Chair laid out HB2518 and recognized the Senate sponsor,  
         Senator Haywood, to explain the bill.  Public testimony was  
         closed.  Senator Haywood moved that HB2518 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  
         nay, 0 present not voting, and 2 absent.   
          
         There being no further business, Senator Duncan moved that the  
         Committee be adjourned. Without objection, it was so ordered.   
         Sine Die. 
          
         ____________________________ 
         Senator J. E. Brown, Chair 
          
         ____________________________ 
         Carol McGarah, Clerk