MINUTES

 

SENATE COMMITTEE ON WATER, AGRICULTURE & RURAL AFFAIRS

Monday, May 8, 2023

8:00 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 Water, Agriculture & Rural Affairs was held on Monday, May 8, 2023, in the Capitol Extension, Room E1.012, at Austin, Texas.

 

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MEMBERS PRESENT:

 

MEMBERS ABSENT:

Senator Charles Perry, Chair

 

Senator Roland Gutierrez

Senator Kelly Hancock, Vice Chair

 

 

Senator César Blanco

 

 

Senator Pete Flores

 

 

Senator Nathan Johnson

 

 

Senator Lois Kolkhorst

 

 

Senator Kevin Sparks

 

 

Senator Drew Springer

 

 

 

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The chair called the meeting to order at 8:00 AM. There being a quorum present, the following business was transacted:

 

 The following members arrived after the roll was called: Senator Blanco,  Senator Johnson and Senator Kolkhorst.

 

The chair laid out HB 59 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Zaffirini, 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 Hancock moved that HB 59 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, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.

 

The chair laid out HB 1772 and recognized the Senate sponsor, 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 Perry moved that HB 1772 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out HB 2063 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 Perry moved that HB 2063 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out HB 2373 and recognized the Senate sponsor, 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 Perry moved that HB 2373 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out HB 2774 and recognized the Senate sponsor, 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 Perry moved that HB 2774 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out HB 3437 and recognized the Senate sponsor, 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 Perry moved that HB 3437 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out HB 3507 and recognized the Senate sponsor, 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.

 

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business HB 2777 in lieu of SB 1671.

 

Senator Hancock sent up a committee substitute.  The chair recognized Senator LaMantia to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the house bill as engrossed.

 

Senator Perry moved that HB 2777 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out HB 2755 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Pete Flores, 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 Perry moved that HB 2755 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

 

 

The chair laid out HB 3007 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 Perry moved that HB 3007 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out HB 3731 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Flores, 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 Perry moved that HB 3731 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out HB 4018 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Kolkhorst, to explain the bill.

 

Senator Kolkhorst sent up a committee substitute.  The chair recognized Senator Kolkhorst 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 Perry moved that HB 4018 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

At 9:08 AM Senator Hancock assumed the chair.

 

The chair laid out HB 3582 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Perry, 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 Perry moved that HB 3582 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 2 absent.

 

Senator Perry moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out HB 3059 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Perry, to explain the bill.

 

Senator Perry sent up a committee substitute.  The chair recognized Senator Perry 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 Perry moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

Senator Perry moved that HB 3059 do not pass but that CSHB 3059 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 8 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.

 

There being no further business, at 9:21 AM Senator Perry moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of the chair. Without objection, it was so ordered.

 

Pursuant to the a motion to suspend, Senate Rules 11.10 and 11.18, and adopted by the Senate, Senator Perry reconvened the Senate Committee on Water, Agriculture and Rural Affairs at 4:00 p.m. in the Senate Press Room, 2E.9.

 

The chair called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m, a quorum was present.

 

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business HB 2777.

 

Senator Hancock moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

Senator Hancock moved that HB 2777 do not pass but that CSHB 2777 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 8 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.

 

Senator Hancock moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business HB 1772.

 

Senator Hancock moved that HB 1772 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 5 ayes, 3 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.

 

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business HB 2063.

 

Senator Hancock moved that HB 2063 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, 1 nay, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.

 

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business HB 2373.

 

Senator Hancock moved that HB 2373 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, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.

 

Senator Springer moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business HB 2755.

 

Senator Flores moved that HB 2755 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, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.

 

Senator Flores moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business HB 2774.

 

Senator Hancock moved that HB 2774 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, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.

 

Senator Flores moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business HB 3007.

 

Senator Hancock moved that HB 3007 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, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.

 

Senator Springer moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business HB 3437.

 

Senator Hancock moved that HB 3437 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, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.

 

Senator Springer moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business HB 3507.

 

Senator Hancock moved that HB 3507 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, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.

 

Senator Springer moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business HB 3731.

 

Senator Flores moved that HB 3731 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, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.

 

Senator Flores moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business HB 4018.

 

 

Senator Hancock moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

Senator Hancock moved that HB 4018 do not pass but that CSHB 4018 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 8 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.

 

There being no further business, at 4:07 PM Senator Perry moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of the chair. Without objection, it was so ordered.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

__________________________________________

Senator Charles Perry, Chair

 

 

__________________________________________

Wrye Akers, Clerk