MINUTES

 

SENATE COMMITTEE ON WATER & RURAL AFFAIRS

Wednesday, April 24, 2019

11:00 AM or upon adjournment

Capitol Extension, Room E1.016

 

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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 Water & Rural Affairs was held on Wednesday, April 24, 2019, in the Capitol Extension, Room E1.016, at Austin, Texas.

 

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MEMBERS PRESENT:		MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Charles Perry, Chair		None
Senator Brandon Creighton, Vice Chair
Senator Carol Alvarado
Senator Nathan Johnson
Senator Lois Kolkhorst
Senator José Rodríguez
Senator Larry Taylor

 

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The chair called the meeting to order at 6:19 PM. There being a quorum present at 6:23 PM, the following business was transacted:

 

The following members arrived after the roll was called:

Senator Lois Kolkhorst

Senator Larry Taylor

Senator Carol Alvarado

Senator Nathan Johnson

Senator Brandon Creighton

 

The Chair laid out SB 1392 and recognized the author, Senator Rodríguez, to explain the bill. Senator Rodríguez sent up a committee substitute. The Chair recognized Senator Rodríguez to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed. At 6:23 PM a quorum was established and Senator Rodríguez 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 Perry moved that CSSB 1392 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The Chair laid out SB 2041 and recognized the author, Senator Buckingham, to explain the bill. No witnesses testified or registered on the bill. The Chair moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Perry moved that SB 2041 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The Chair laid out SB 978 and recognized the author, Senator Hughes, to explain the bill. Senator Rodríguez sent up a committee substitute.  The Chair recognized Senator Hughes to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed. Senator Rodríguez moved to withdraw 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 Perry moved that SB 978 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

At 6:49 PM Senator Rodríguez assumed the chair.

 

The Chair laid out HB 337 and recognized Senator Perry, in the absence of the Senate sponsor, 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 Rodríguez moved that HB 337 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The Chair laid out HB 547 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Perry, 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 Rodríguez moved that HB 547 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The Chair laid out HB 723 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Perry, to explain the bill. Senator Rodríguez sent up a committee substitute.  The Chair recognized Senator Perry to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the house bill as engrossed.  Senator Creighton moved adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. 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.

 

At 6:55 PM Senator Perry resumed the chair.

 

As a matter of pending business, the Chair laid out anew HB 337. Senator Creighton moved that HB 337 do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 7 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.

 

The Chair laid out SB 2331 and recognized the author, Senator Creighton, to explain the bill. Senator Creighton sent up a committee substitute.  The Chair recognized Senator Creighton to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed.  Senator Rodríguez 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 Rodríguez moved that SB 2331 do not pass but that CSSB 2331 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 7 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent. Senator Kolkhorst moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

At 7:01 PM Senator Creighton assumed the chair.

 

As a matter of pending business, the Chair laid out anew the committee substitute for HB 723. Senator Perry moved that HB 723 do not pass but that CSHB 723 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 7 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.

 

As a matter of pending business, the Chair laid out anew HB 547. Senator Perry moved that HB 547 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 7 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent. Senator Perry moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

At 7:04 PM Senator Perry resumed the chair.

 

There being no further business, at 7:04 PM Senator Perry moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of the chair. Without objection, it was so ordered.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Senator Charles Perry, Chair

 

 

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Leah Curren, Clerk