MINUTES

 

SENATE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES

Thursday, March 15, 2007

1:00 p.m. or upon adjournment

Capitol Extension, E1.012

 

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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 Thursday, March 15, 2007, in room E1.012 of the Capitol Extension at Austin, Texas.

 

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MEMBERS PRESENT:		MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Kip Averitt Senator Craig Estes Senator Kim Brimer Senator Bob Deuell Senator Robert Duncan Senator Kevin Eltife Senator Glenn Hegar Senator Juan Hinojosa Senator Mike Jackson Senator Kel Seliger Senator Carlos Uresti		None

 

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The chair called the meeting to order at 1:10 p.m.  There being a quorum present, the following business was transacted: 

 

The chair laid out pending business SB 455 and Senator Averitt, in the absence of the author, explained the bill. 

 

Senator Brimer moved that SB 455 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.  The motion carried with a record vote of 11 ayes, 0 nay, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent. 

 

Senator Estes moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair laid out pending business SB 535 and recognized the author, Senator Hegar, to explain the bill. 

 

Senator Hegar moved that SB 535 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.  The motion carried with a record vote of 11 ayes, 0 nay, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent. 

 

The chair laid out pending business SB 564 and recognized the author, Senator Hegar, to explain the bill. 

 

Senator Hegar moved that SB 564 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.  The motion carried with a record vote of 11 ayes, 0 nay, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent. 

 

Senator Hegar moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.  

 

The chair laid out pending business SB 573 and recognized the author, Senator Brimer, to explain the bill. 

 

Senator Brimer sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Brimer to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed.  Senator Brimer moved adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

Senator Brimer moved that SB 573 do not pass but that CSSB 573 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.  The motion carried with a record vote of 11 ayes, 0 nay, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent. 

 

Senator Brimer moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair laid out pending business SB 748 and recognized the author, Senator Hegar, to explain the bill. 

 

Senator Hegar moved that SB 748 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.  The motion carried with a record vote of 11 ayes, 0 nay, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent. 

 

Senator Estes moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair laid out SB 775 and recognized the author, Senator Jackson, to explain the bill. 

 

Senator Jackson moved that SB 775 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.  The motion carried with a record vote of 11 ayes, 0 nay, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent. 

 

Senator Seliger 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 SB 3 and recognized the author, Senator Averitt, to explain the bill. 

 

Senator Averitt sent up a committee substitute at a previous hearing; at which time he explained the differences between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed. 

 

Senator Estes sent up Committee Amendment 1 and moved adoption; without objection, the amendment was adopted. 

 

Senator Hegar sent up Committee Amendment 2 and moved adoption; without objection, the amendment was adopted. 

 

Senator Uresti sent up Committee Amendment 3, and then withdrew the amendment.

 

Senator Uresti sent up Committee Amendment 3a, and then withdrew the amendment.

 

Senator Uresti sent up Committee Amendment 4, and then withdrew the amendment.

 

Senator Eltife sent up Committee Amendment 5, and then withdrew the amendment.

 

Senator Eltife sent up Committee Amendment 6, and then withdrew the amendment.

 

Senator Eltife sent up Committee Amendment 7 and moved adoption; without objection, the amendment was adopted. 

 

Senator Eltife sent up Committee Amendment 8, and then withdrew the amendment.

 

Senator Eltife sent up Committee Amendment 9, and then withdrew the amendment.

 

Senator Hegar sent up Committee Amendment 9a and moved adoption.  The motion failed by a record vote of 3 ayes, 8 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent. 

 

Senator Averitt requested unanimous consent to incorporate amendments into the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.  Senator Averitt then moved that the new committee substitute be adopted; without objection, it was so ordered.  Senator Averitt moved that SB 3 do not pass but that CSSB 3 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, 1 nay, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent. 

 

Senator Averitt resumed the chair. 

 

There being no further business, Senator Averitt moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of the chair.  Without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

 

 

 

 

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Senator Kip Averitt, Chair

 

 

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Teddy Carter, Clerk