MINUTES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES

Wednesday, March 5, 2025

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 Wednesday, March 5, 2025, in the Capitol Extension, Room E1.012, at Austin, Texas.

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MEMBERS PRESENT:	MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Brian Birdwell, Chair	None
Senator Judith Zaffirini, Vice Chair
Senator Carol Alvarado
Senator César Blanco
Senator Pete Flores
Senator Kelly Hancock
Senator Bryan Hughes
Senator Tan Parker
Senator Kevin Sparks

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The chair called the meeting to order at 9:00 AM. There being a quorum present, the following business was transacted:

The following members arrived after the roll was called:

Senator Carol Alvarado

Senator Pete Flores

Senator Bryan Hughes

Senator Kevin Sparks

Chairman Birdwell called the following representative to provide invited testimony regarding an agency update as it relates to the committee:

Office of the Attorney General

Austin Kinghorn, Deputy Attorney General for Civil Litigation

The chair laid out SB 766 and recognized the author, 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 SB 766 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. Senators Alvarado and Flores submitted motions in writing requesting to be shown voting aye on SB 766.

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 SB 494 and recognized Senator Hancock, 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 Birdwell moved that SB 494 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 290 and recognized the author, Senator Miles, 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 Birdwell moved that SB 290 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

At 9:58 AM Senator Zaffirini assumed the chair.

The chair laid out SB 1145 and recognized the author, Senator Birdwell, 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 Zaffirini moved that SB 1145 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

At 10:07 AM Senator Birdwell resumed the chair.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 290.

Senator Zaffirini moved that SB 290 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 submitted a motion in writing requesting to be shown voting aye on SB 290.

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 as a matter of pending business SB 494.

Senator Zaffirini moved that SB 494 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 Zaffirini moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

At 10:10 AM Senator Zaffirini assumed the chair.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 1145.

Senator Birdwell moved that SB 1145 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 Birdwell moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

At 10:11 AM Senator Birdwell resumed the chair.

There being no further business, at 10:11 AM Senator Birdwell moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of the chair. Without objection, it was so ordered.

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Senator Brian Birdwell, Chair

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Jennifer Trevino, Clerk