MINUTES

 

SENATE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Tuesday, May 19, 2015

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 & Economic Development was held on Tuesday, May 19, 2015, 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 Brian Birdwell

 

 

Senator Bob Hall

 

 

Senator Kelly Hancock

 

 

Senator Juan Hinojosa

 

 

Senator Eddie Lucio, Jr.

 

 

Senator Robert Nichols

 

 

Senator Kel Seliger

 

 

Senator Carlos Uresti

 

 

Senator Judith Zaffirini

 

 

 

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The chair called the meeting to order at 9:02 AM. There being a quorum present, the following business was transacted:

 

The chair laid out HB 281 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Nelson, to explain the bill.

Senator Lucio, Jr. sent up Committee Amendment 1, and the chair recognized Senator Nelson to explain the amendment. 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 to adopt the amendment; without objection, the amendment was adopted. Senator Nichols requested unanimous consent to incorporate the amendment into a committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Nichols then moved that the committee substitute be adopted; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Nichols moved that HB 281 do not pass but that CSHB 281 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 Nichols moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out HB 14 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Watson, to explain the bill.

Senator Estes sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Watson to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the house bill as engrossed. 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 Zaffirini moved adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Zaffirini moved that HB 14 do not pass but that CSHB 14 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, 1 nay, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.

 

The chair laid out HB 2019 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Seliger, to explain the bill. Senator Seliger sent up a committee substitute.

 

Senator Estes assumed the chair.

 

The chair recognized Senator Fraser to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the house bill as engrossed.

 

Senator Fraser resumed the chair.

 

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 Seliger moved adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Seliger moved that HB 2019 do not pass but that CSHB 2019 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.

 

 

 

The chair laid out HB 1633 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Uresti, to explain the bill. Senator Estes assumed the chair. Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached list. Senator Fraser resumed the chair. The chair moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Fraser moved that HB 1633 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out HB 2598 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Zaffirini, 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 Zaffirini moved that HB 2598 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 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent. Senator Zaffirini moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

Senator Estes assumed the chair.

 

The chair laid out HB 26 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Fraser, to explain the bill.

Senator Fraser sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Fraser to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the house bill as engrossed. 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 adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Fraser moved that HB 26 do not pass but that CSHB 26 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 Fraser moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out HB 2332 and recognized the Senate sponsor, 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 Fraser moved that HB 2332 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 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 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 HB 1915 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Hinojosa, 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 Hinojosa moved that HB 1915 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 HB 1155 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Hinojosa, 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 HB 1155 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business HB 1633 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Uresti. Senator Uresti moved that HB 1633 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 assumed the chair.

 

The chair laid out HB 2595 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Fraser, to explain the bill. Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached list.

Senator Estes moved that HB 2595 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

Senator Fraser resumed the chair.

 

At 10:56 AM Senator Fraser moved that the Committee stand recessed until 15 minutes after adjournment of the Senate. Without objection, it was so ordered.

 

At 3:25 PM Senator Estes assumed the chair reconvened the meeting.

 

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business HB 2595 and continued with public testimony.

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

Senator Estes moved that HB 2595 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

Senator Fraser resumed the chair.

 

The chair laid out HB 2187 and recognized Senator Hancock, in the absence of the Senate sponsor, 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 2187 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 8 ayes, 3 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.

 

The chair laid out HB 1717 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Lucio, Jr., 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 Lucio, Jr. moved that HB 1717 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 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent. Senator Lucio, Jr. moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out HB 2647 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Estes, 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 2647 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 8 ayes, 2 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.

 

Motions in Writing requesting unanimous consent to be shown voting aye were submitted by the following: Senator Seliger on HB 1717 and HB 1633; Senator Zaffirini on HB 1717 and HB 2187; Senator Nichols on HB 1717 and HB 2647; Senator Birdwell on CSHB 26, HB 1633, CSHB 2019, HB 2598, and HB 2332; Senator Hinojosa on CSHB 281, HB 2187, HB 1717, and HB 2647; Senator Uresti on CSHB 281; Senator Lucio on CSHB 281, CSHB 14, CSHB 2019, HB 2598, CSHB 26, HB 2332, and HB 1915. These votes are reflected in the final votes on the aforementioned bills.

 

Motions in Writing requesting unanimous consent to be shown voting nay were submitted by the following: Senator Nichols on HB 2187. This vote is reflected in the final votes on the aforementioned bill.

 

There being no further business, at 5:03 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