MINUTES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES

Wednesday, May 7, 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, May 7, 2025, in the Capitol Extension, Room E1.012, at Austin, Texas.

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MEMBERS PRESENT:	MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Brian Birdwell, Chair Senator Judith Zaffirini, Vice Chair	None
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. The following business was transacted:

The following members arrived after the roll was called:

Senator Carol Alvarado

Senator César Blanco

Senator Kelly Hancock

Senator Bryan Hughes

Senator Tan Parker

Senator Kevin Sparks

The chair moved to stand at ease temporarily. The chair reconvened the Committee at 9:01 AM.

At 9:01 AM Senator Hancock assumed the chair.

The chair laid out HB 206 and recognized the Senate sponsor, 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 Hancock moved that HB 206 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

At 9:05 AM Senator Birdwell resumed the chair.

The chair laid out HB 2890 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Parker, 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 Birdwell moved that HB 2890 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out HB 1238 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Parker, 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 HB 1238 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out HB 2970 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Middleton, to explain the bill.

Senator Sparks sent up a committee substitute.  The chair recognized Senator Middleton 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.

The chair moved to pull down the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Birdwell moved that HB 2970 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

At 9:17 AM Senator Birdwell moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of the chair. Without objection, it was so ordered.

Upon the suspension of Senate Rules 11.10 and 11.18, Senator Birdwell reconvened the Senate Committee on Natural Resources at 5:47 PM at Senator Birdwell’s desk in the Senate Chamber.

There being a quorum present, the following business was transacted: 

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business HB 1089.

Senator Alvarado moved that HB 1089 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 Alvarado 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 2970.

Senator Zaffirini sent up a committee substitute.  Senator Zaffirini moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Birdwell moved that HB 2970 do not pass but that CSHB 2970 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, 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 as a matter of pending business HB 1238.

Senator Parker moved that HB 1238 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, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.

Senator Parker 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 2890.

Senator Parker moved that HB 2890 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, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.

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

At 5:51 PM Senator Zaffirini assumed the chair.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business HB 206.

Senator Birdwell moved that HB 206 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, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.

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

At 5:51 PM Senator Birdwell resumed the chair.

There being no further business, at 5:51 PM 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