MINUTES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES

Wednesday, May 21, 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 21, 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 9:01 AM. There being a quorum present, the following business was transacted:

The following members arrived after the roll was called:

Senator Judith Zaffirini

Senator César Blanco

Senator Bryan Hughes

Senator Tan Parker

Senator Kevin Sparks

At 9:05 AM Senator Flores assumed the chair.

The chair laid out SB 3074 and recognized the author, Senator Birdwell, to explain the bill.

Senator Birdwell sent up a committee substitute.  The chair recognized Senator Birdwell to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed.

The chair moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered.

Witnesses registering on the bill are shown on the attached list.

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

Senator Flores moved that SB 3074 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

At 9:12 AM Senator Birdwell resumed the chair.

The chair laid out HB 3556 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Middleton, to explain the bill.

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

Senator Birdwell moved that HB 3556 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out HB 49 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 Birdwell moved that HB 49 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out HB 4413 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 Birdwell moved that HB 4413 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out HB 3866 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Sparks, to explain the bill.

Senator Sparks sent up a committee substitute.  The chair recognized Senator Sparks 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 3866 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out HB 5033 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Flores, to explain the bill.

Senator Flores sent up a committee substitute.  The chair recognized Senator Flores 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.

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

Senator Birdwell moved that HB 5033 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out HB 3619 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 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 moved to pull down the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Birdwell moved that HB 3619 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out HB 4042 and recognized the Senate sponsor, 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 Birdwell moved that HB 4042 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out HB 4426 and recognized the Senate sponsor, 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 Birdwell moved that HB 4426 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

At 10:32 AM Senator Zaffirini assumed the chair.

The chair laid out HB 4112 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Birdwell, to explain the bill.

Senator Birdwell sent up a committee substitute.  The chair recognized Senator Birdwell 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.

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

Senator Zaffirini moved that HB 4112 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

At 10:39 AM Senator Birdwell resumed the chair.

The chair laid out HB 2440 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 2440 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out HB 4271 and recognized Senator Flores, in the absence of the Senate sponsor, to explain the bill.

Senator Flores sent up a committee substitute.  The chair recognized Senator Flores 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.

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

Senator Birdwell moved that HB 4271 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

At 10:51 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 7:25 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 49.

Senator Zaffirini moved that HB 49 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. Senators Alvarado and Blanco submitted motions in writing requesting to be shown voting aye on HB 49.

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 143.

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

Senator Hancock moved that HB 143 do not pass but that CSHB 143 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. Senators Alvarado and Blanco submitted motions in writing requesting to be shown voting aye on HB 143.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business HB 2440.

Senator Parker moved that HB 2440 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, 1 nay, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent. Senators Alvarado and Blanco submitted motions in writing requesting to be shown voting aye on HB 2440.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business HB 3071.

Senator Hancock sent up a committee substitute.  The chair recognized Senator Hancock to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the house bill as engrossed.  Senator Hancock moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Hancock moved that HB 3071 do not pass but that CSHB 3071 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 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 3556.

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

Senator Hughes moved that HB 3556 do not pass but that CSHB 3556 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, 2 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business HB 3619.

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

Senator Zaffirini moved that HB 3619 do not pass but that CSHB 3619 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 3866.

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

Senator Sparks moved that HB 3866 do not pass but that CSHB 3866 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 Sparks 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 4042.

Senator Zaffirini moved that HB 4042 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, 1 nay, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business HB 4413.

Senator Hancock moved that HB 4413 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 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 4426.

Senator Zaffirini moved that HB 4426 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 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 5033.

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

Senator Flores moved that HB 5033 do not pass but that CSHB 5033 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, 2 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.

At 7:36 PM Senator Zaffirini assumed the chair.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business HB 4112.

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

Senator Birdwell moved that HB 4112 do not pass but that CSHB 4112 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 Birdwell 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 3074.

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

Senator Birdwell moved that SB 3074 do not pass but that CSSB 3074 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, 1 nay, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.

At 7:38 PM Senator Birdwell resumed the chair.

There being no further business, at 7:38 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