MINUTES

 

SENATE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

9:00 AM

Capitol Extension, Room E1.012

 

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Pursuant to a notice posted in accordance with Senate Rule 11.10 and 11.18, a public hearing of the Senate Committee on Natural Resources was held on Tuesday, March 15, 2011, in the Capitol Extension, Room E1.012, at Austin, Texas.

 

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MEMBERS PRESENT:		MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Troy Fraser, Chair		None
Senator Craig Estes, Vice Chair
Senator Bob Deuell
Senator Robert Duncan
Senator Kevin Eltife
Senator Glenn Hegar
Senator Juan Hinojosa
Senator Mike Jackson
Senator Robert Nichols
Senator Kel Seliger
Senator Carlos Uresti

 

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The chair called the meeting to order at 9:04 AM.  The following business was transacted:

 

The chair laid out SB 181 and recognized the author, Senator Shapiro, to explain the bill.

Senator Seliger sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Shapiro to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed.  Senator Nichols sent up Committee Amendment 1 and explained the amendment.

 

At 9:10 AM the roll was called.  A quorum was present.

 

 

 

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 adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.  Senator Nichols moved adoption of Committee Amendment 1; without objection, it was so ordered.  Senator Estes requested unanimous consent to incorporate the amendment into the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.  Senator Estes then moved that the new committee substitute be adopted; without objection, it was so ordered.  Senator Estes moved that SB 181 do not pass but that CSSB 181 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 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.

 

The chair laid out SB 329 and recognized the author, Senator Watson, to explain the bill.

Senator Jackson sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Watson 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 adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.  Senator Jackson moved that SB 329 do not pass but that CSSB 329 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 nays, 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 SB 430 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 Nichols moved that SB 430 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 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.  Senator Nichols moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out SB 683 and recognized the author, Senator Huffman, 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 assumed the chair.

 

Senator Fraser resumed the chair.

 

Senator Fraser moved that SB 683 be left pending to await a quorum; without objection, it was so ordered.  Upon arrival of a quorum, Senator Estes moved that SB 683 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 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 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 684 and recognized the author, Senator Huffman, to explain the bill.

Senator Hegar sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Huffman 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 Fraser moved that SB 684 be left pending to await a quorum; without objection, it was so ordered.  Upon arrival of a quorum, Senator Estes moved adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.  Senator Estes moved that SB 684 do not pass but that CSSB 684 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, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 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 832 and recognized the author, Senator Rodriguez, 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 Fraser moved that SB 832 be left pending to await a quorum; without objection, it was so ordered.  Upon arrival of a quorum, Senator Uresti moved that SB 832 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 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.

 

The chair laid out SB 512 and recognized the author, Senator Hegar, 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 Fraser moved that SB 512 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out SB 801 and recognized the author, Senator Hegar, to explain the bill.  There were no witnesses registered on the bill.  The chair moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Fraser moved that SB 801 be left pending to await a quorum; without objection, it was so ordered.  Upon arrival of a quorum, Senator Hegar moved that SB 801 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 nays, 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 SB 987 and recognized the author, Senator Hegar, 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 Fraser moved that SB 987 be left pending to await a quorum; without objection, it was so ordered.  Upon arrival of a quorum, Senator Hegar moved that SB 987 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 nays, 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 SB 564 and recognized the author, Senator Uresti, to explain the bill.

Witnesses 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 Fraser moved that SB 564 be left pending to await a quorum; without objection, it was so ordered.  Upon arrival of a quorum, Senator Uresti 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 10 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.  Senator Uresti moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out SB 525 and recognized the author, Senator Deuell, to explain the bill.  There were no witnesses registered on the bill.  The chair moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered.  Senator Fraser moved that SB 525 be left pending to await a quorum; without objection, it was so ordered.  Upon arrival of a quorum, Senator Deuell moved that SB 525 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 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.  Senator Deuell moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

Senator Hegar assumed the chair.

 

 

The chair laid out SB 493 and recognized the author, Senator Fraser, 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 Hegar moved that SB 493 be left pending to await a quorum; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

Senator Fraser resumed the chair.

 

Senator Estes assumed the chair.

 

Upon arrival of a quorum, Senator Fraser moved that SB 493 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 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.  Senator Fraser moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out SB 569 and recognized Senator Deuell, in the absence of the author, 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 Fraser moved that SB 569 be left pending to await a quorum; without objection, it was so ordered.  Upon arrival of a quorum, Senator Jackson moved that SB 569 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 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.  Senator Jackson moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

At 10:59 AM Senator Fraser moved that the Committee stand recessed until 30 minutes after adjournment of the Senate.  Without objection, it was so ordered.

 

At 12:59 PM the Committee came back to order.

 

The chair laid out SB 497 and recognized the author, Senator Jackson, to explain the bill.

Senator Jackson sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Jackson 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 Fraser moved that SB 497 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

 

 

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 313 and recognized the author, Senator Seliger, to explain the bill.  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 Seliger moved that SB 313 do not pass but that CSSB 313 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, 0 nays, 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.

 

Senator Duncan requested unanimous consent to be shown voting aye on the following bills:

CSSB 181, CSSB 329, and SB 430.  Without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The Chairman read Motions in Writing requesting unanimous consent to be shown voting aye submitted by the following: Senator Hegar on CSSB 329; Senator Eltife on CSSB 181, CSSB 329, and SB 430; Senator Estes on SB 430 and CSSB 329; Senator Seliger on CSSB 329 and SB 430.  These votes are reflected in the final votes on the aforementioned bills.

 

There being no further business, at 2:15 PM Senator Fraser moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of the chair. Without objection, it was so ordered.

 

 

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Senator Troy Fraser, Chair

 

 

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Tatum Reagan, Clerk