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MINUTES

 

SENATE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES

Tuesday, May 8, 2007

8:00 a.m.

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, May 8, 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 Kevin Eltife

Senator Glenn Hegar

Senator Juan Hinojosa

Senator Mike Jackson

Senator Kel Seliger

Senator Carlos Uresti

 

Senator Robert Duncan

 

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The vice-chair called the meeting to order at 8:01 a.m.  There being a quorum present, the following business was transacted: 

 

The chair laid out HB 2518 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Ellis, to explain the bill. 

 

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

 

Senator Estes moved that HB 2518 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair laid out HB 713 and recognized the Senate sponsor, 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 Estes moved that HB 713 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair laid out HB 604 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Wentworth, 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 Estes moved that HB 604 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair laid out HB 2931 and recognized Senator Hinojosa, in the absence of the Senate sponsor, to explain the bill. 

 

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

 

Senator Estes moved that HB 2931 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair laid out pending business HB 479 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Hinojosa, to explain the bill.  A committee substitute had previously been adopted.  Senator Hinojosa laid out a new committee substitute, however a lack of a quorum prevented the adoption of the new CSHB.

 

The chair laid out HB 3634 and recognized Senator Hegar, in the absence of the Senate sponsor, to explain the bill. 

 

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

 

Senator Estes moved that HB 3634 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

Senator Estes moved that the committee stand recessed until after adjournment of the Senate; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

Upon adjournment of the Senate and pursuant to a motion to suspend the 24-hour posting rule to allow the committee to meet at Senator Averitt's desk on the Senate floor, the chair called the committee back to order. 

 

The chair laid out pending business HB 479.  Senator Hinojosa moved to reconsider the vote by which a previous committee substitute was adopted; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

Senator Hinojosa sent up a new committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Hinojosa earlier in the day to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the house bill as engrossed.  Senator Hinojosa moved adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

Senator Hinojosa moved that HB 479 do not pass but that CSHB 479 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.  The motion carried with a record vote of 9 ayes, 0 nay, 0 present not voting, and 2 absent. 

 

Senator Hinojosa 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 HB 386. 

 

Senator Hegar moved that HB 386 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 nay, 0 present not voting, and 2 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 HB 496. 

 

Senator Hegar moved that HB 496 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 nay, 0 present not voting, and 1 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 HB 576. 

 

Senator Hinojosa moved that HB 576 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 nay, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent. 

 

Senator Eltife 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 HB 1138.

 

Senator Eltife moved that HB 1138 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 nay, 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. 

 

The chair laid out pending business HB 1382. 

 

Senator Brimer moved that HB 1382 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 nay, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent. 

 

Senator Brimer moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; 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. 

 

 

 

 

 

_____________________________

Senator Kip Averitt, Chair

 

 

_____________________________

Teddy Carter, Clerk