MINUTES

 

SENATE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Thursday, May 21, 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 Thursday, May 21, 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 9:00 AM. The following business was transacted:

 

The chair laid out HB 3629 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Schwertner, 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 3629 be left pending to await a quorum; without objection, it was so ordered. Upon arrival of a quorum, Senator Estes moved that HB 3629 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 HB 2558 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Campbell, 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 HB 2558 be left pending to await a quorum; without objection, it was so ordered. Upon arrival of a quorum, Senator Estes moved that HB 2558 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 Estes moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out HB 2763 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Rodríguez, to explain the bill. Senator Fraser moved to limit testimony to two minutes; 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 Hinojosa moved that HB 2763 be left pending to await a quorum; without objection, it was so ordered. Upon arrival of a quorum, Senator Hinojosa moved that HB 2763 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 Hinojosa moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out HB 1151 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Garcia, 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 1151 be left pending to await a quorum; without objection, it was so ordered. Upon arrival of a quorum, Senator Estes moved that HB 1151 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 Estes moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out HB 3373 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Hancock, 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 3373 be left pending to await a quorum; without objection, it was so ordered. Upon arrival of a quorum, Senator Estes moved that HB 3373 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 Estes moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out HB 3595 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Kolkhorst, 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 3595 be left pending to await a quorum; without objection, it was so ordered. Upon arrival of a quorum, Senator Estes moved that HB 3595 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 Estes moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out HB 2528 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Kolkhorst, 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 2528 be left pending to await a quorum; without objection, it was so ordered. Upon arrival of a quorum, Senator Estes moved that HB 2528 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 Estes moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out HB 2968 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Menéndez, to explain the bill. Senator Estes sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Menendez 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 that HB 2968 be left pending to await a quorum; without objection, it was so ordered. Upon arrival of a quorum, Senator Uresti moved adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Uresti moved that HB 2968 do not pass but that CSHB 2968 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 HB 2772 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Lucio, Jr., 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 HB 2772 be left pending to await a quorum; without objection, it was so ordered. Upon arrival of a quorum, Senator Lucio, Jr. moved that HB 2772 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, 1 nay, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.

 

The chair laid out HB 3685 and recognized the Senate sponsor, 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.

 

At 9:55 AM the roll was called. A quorum was present.

 

Senator Lucio, Jr. moved that HB 3685 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 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 HCR 108 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Lucio, Jr., 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 Lucio, Jr. moved that HCR 108 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.

 

The chair laid out HB 4037 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Lucio, Jr., to explain the bill. Senator Lucio, Jr. sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Lucio, Jr. to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the house bill as engrossed. 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 adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Lucio, Jr. moved that HB 4037 do not pass but that CSHB 4037 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 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 3772 and recognized the Senate sponsor, 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 Uresti moved that HB 3772 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 HB 3402 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Ellis, 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 3402 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, 1 nay, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.

 

The chair laid out HB 2316 and recognized Senator Estes, 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 Fraser moved that HB 2316 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out HB 3615 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Zaffirini, to explain the bill. Senator Zaffirini sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Zaffirini to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the house bill as engrossed.

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 adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Zaffirini moved that HB 3615 do not pass but that CSHB 3615 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 Zaffirini moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out HB 3842 and recognized Senator Estes, in the absence of the Senate sponsor, 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 HB 3842 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

Motions in Writing requesting unanimous consent to be shown voting aye were submitted by the following: Senator Birdwell on HB 1151, HB 2528, HB 2558, HB 2763, HB 2772, CSHB 2968, HB 3373, HB 3402, HB 3595, CSHB 3615, HB 3629, HB 3685, HB 3772, and CSHB 4037; Senator Nichols on CSHB 3615 and HB 2763; Senator Lucio on HB 3772, HB 3402, CSHB 3615 and HB 2763; Senator Hancock on HB 3373; Senator Seliger on HB 3629, HB 2558, HB 1151, HB 3373, HB 3595, HB 2528, CSHB 2968, HB 2772, HB 3685, CSHB 4037, HB 3772, HB 3402, CSHB 3615, and HB 2763; Senator Zaffirini on CSHB 4037, HB 3629, HB 3685, HB 2968, HB 3373, HB 2772, HB 2558, HB 2528, HB 1151, HCR 108, HB 3595, and HB 3402 . These votes are reflected in the final votes on the aforementioned bills.

 

A Motion in Writing requesting unanimous consent to be shown voting nay were submitted by the following: Senator Seliger on HCR 108. This vote is reflected in the final vote on the aforementioned bill.

 

Senator Fraser announced the committee would meet in the Senate Chamber after the adjournment of the Senate.

 

At 10:35 AM Senator Fraser moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of the chair. Without objection, it was so ordered.

 

At 4:30 PM Senator Fraser reconvened the meeting.

 

The roll was called. A quorum was present.

 

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business HB 3842 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Seliger. Senator Seliger moved that HB 3842 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, 1 nay, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.

 

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business HB 1155 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Hinojosa. Senator Hinojosa moved that HB 1155 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, 2 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.

 

Motions in Writing requesting unanimous consent to be shown voting aye were submitted by the following: Senator Lucio on HB 1155 and HB 3842; Senator Zaffirini on HB 3842. These votes are reflected in the final votes on the aforementioned bills.

 

 

 

There being no further business, at 4:35 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