MINUTES

 

SENATE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES

Tuesday, April 10, 2007

1:00 p.m. or upon adjournment

Capitol Extension, Room 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 Tuesday, April 10, 2007, in the Capitol Extension, Room E1.012, 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

 

*****

 

The chair called the meeting to order at 1:08 p.m.  There being a quorum present, the following business was transacted: 

 

The chair laid out SB 642 and recognized the author, Senator West, to explain the bill. 

 

Senator Brimer sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator West 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. 

 

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 Averitt moved that SB 642 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair laid out SB 707 and recognized the author, Senator Lucio, Jr., to explain the bill. 

 

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 Averitt moved that SB 707 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair laid out SB 1312 and recognized Senator Brimer, in the absence of the author, 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 Averitt moved that SB 1312 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair laid out SB 747 and recognized the author, Senator Watson, to explain the bill. 

 

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 Averitt moved that SB 747 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair laid out SB 1324 and recognized the author, Senator Watson, to explain the bill. 

 

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 Averitt moved that SB 1324 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair laid out SB 124 and recognized the author, Senator Ellis, to explain the bill. 

 

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

 

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 Averitt moved that SB 124 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair laid out SB 585 and recognized the author, Senator Van de Putte, to explain the bill. 

 

Senator Eltife assumed the chair. 

 

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 Eltife moved that SB 585 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair laid out SB 1280 and recognized the author, Senator Van de Putte, to explain the bill. 

 

Senator Seliger sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Van de Putte 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. 

 

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

 

Senator Eltife moved that SB 1280 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair laid out SB 1281 and recognized the author, Senator Van de Putte, to explain the bill. 

 

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 Eltife moved that SB 1281 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair laid out SB 1282 and recognized the author, Senator Van de Putte, to explain the bill. 

 

Senator Seliger sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Van de Putte 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. 

 

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

 

Senator Eltife moved that SB 1282 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair laid out SB 1621 and recognized the author, Senator Van de Putte, to explain the bill. 

 

Senator Seliger sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Van de Putte 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. 

 

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

 

Senator Eltife moved that SB 1621 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

Senator Averitt resumed the chair. 

 

The chair laid out SB 1659 and recognized the author, Senator Nichols, to explain the bill. 

 

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 Averitt moved that SB 1659 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair laid out SB 1458 and recognized the author, Senator Seliger, to explain the bill. 

 

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 Averitt moved that SB 1458 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair laid out SB 1459 and recognized the author, Senator Seliger, to explain the bill. 

 

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 Averitt moved that SB 1459 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair laid out SB 1461 and recognized the author, Senator Seliger, to explain the bill. 

 

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 Averitt moved that SB 1461 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair laid out SB 1037 and recognized the author, Senator Duncan, to explain the bill. 

 

Senator Duncan sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Duncan 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. 

 

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

 

Senator Averitt moved that SB 1037 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

Senator Jackson assumed the chair. 

 

The chair laid out SB 1864 and recognized Senator Brimer, in the absence of the author, 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. 

 

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 Jackson moved that SB 1864 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair laid out SB 726 and recognized the author, Senator Nichols, to explain the bill. 

 

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 Jackson moved that SB 726 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair laid out SB 875 and recognized the author, Senator Nichols, to explain the bill. 

 

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 Averitt resumed the chair. 

 

Senator Averitt moved that SB 875 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair laid out SB 644 and recognized Senator Hegar, in the absence of the author, to explain the bill. 

 

Senator Hegar sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Hegar 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. 

 

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

 

Senator Averitt moved that SB 644 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair laid out SB 1790 and recognized the author, Senator Jackson, to explain the bill. 

 

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 Averitt moved that SB 1790 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair laid out pending business SB 574.  A committee substitute had been adopted at a previous hearing.

 

Senator Brimer moved that SB 574 do not pass but that CSSB 574 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 714.  A committee substitute had been adopted at a previous hearing.

 

Senator Seliger moved that SB 714 do not pass but that CSSB 714 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 Duncan 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 1013. 

 

Senator Jackson sent up a committee substitute at a previous hearing; Senator Jackson previously explained the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed.  Senator Jackson moved adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

Senator Jackson moved that SB 1013 do not pass but that CSSB 1013 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 Jackson 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 1178. 

 

Senator Hegar moved that SB 1178 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 1179. 

 

Senator Hegar moved that SB 1179 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 1335.  A committee substitute had been adopted at a previous hearing.

 

Senator Jackson moved that SB 1335 do not pass but that CSSB 1335 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 Jackson 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 1343. 

 

Senator Duncan moved that SB 1343 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 Duncan 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 1526. 

 

Senator Hegar moved that SB 1526 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 1592.  A committee substitute had been adopted at a previous hearing.

 

Senator Hinojosa moved that SB 1592 do not pass but that CSSB 1592 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 Hinojosa 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 pending business SB 1026 and recognized the author, Senator Averitt, to explain the bill. 

 

Senator Averitt moved that, in lieu of SB 1026, the bill's House companion, HB 1967, 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 Averitt moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

Senator Averitt resumed the chair. 

 

The chair laid out pending business SB 1351.  Senator Averitt moved to reconsider the vote by which a previous committee substitute had been adopted; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

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

 

Senator Averitt moved that SB 1351 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair laid out pending business SB 1383.  Senator Seliger moved to reconsider the vote by which a previous committee substitute had been adopted; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

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

 

Senator Averitt moved that SB 1383 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair laid out pending business SB 1677. 

 

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

 

Senator Averitt moved that SB 1677 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair laid out SB 659 and recognized the author, Senator Wentworth, to explain the bill. 

 

Senator Eltife sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Wentworth 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. 

 

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

 

Senator Averitt moved that SB 659 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair laid out SB 1341 and recognized the author, Senator Hegar, to explain the bill. 

 

Senator Hegar sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Hegar 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. 

 

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

 

Senator Averitt moved that SB 1341 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

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

 

 

_____________________________

Teddy Carter, Clerk