MINUTES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON WATER, AGRICULTURE AND RURAL AFFAIRS

Monday, April 14, 2025

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 and Rural Affairs was held on Monday, April 14, 2025, in the Capitol Extension, Room E1.012, at Austin, Texas.

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MEMBERS PRESENT:	MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Charles Perry, Chair	Senator Brian Birdwell
Senator Kelly Hancock, Vice Chair
Senator César Blanco
Senator Roland Gutierrez
Senator Adam Hinojosa
Senator Nathan Johnson
Senator Lois Kolkhorst
Senator Kevin Sparks

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The chair called the meeting to order at 8:00 AM. There being a quorum present at 8:04 AM, the following business was transacted:

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

The chair laid out SB 1055 and recognized the author, 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 SB 1055 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 1413 and recognized the author, Senator Nichols, to explain the bill. Senator Hancock sent up a committee substitute. The chair recognized Senator Nichols to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed.

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 that SB 1413 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 2160 and recognized the author, 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 SB 2160 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 2161 and recognized the author, Senator Flores, to explain the bill. Senator Hancock sent up a committee substitute. The chair recognized Senator Flores to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed.

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 that SB 2161 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 1976 and recognized the author, Senator Hughes, to explain the bill. Senator Hancock sent up a committee substitute. The chair recognized Senator Hughes to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed.

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 that SB 1976 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 1169 and recognized the author, Senator Adam Hinojosa, to explain the bill. Senator Hancock sent up a committee substitute. The chair recognized Senator Adam Hinojosa to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed.

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 that SB 1169 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 1285 and recognized the author, Senator Eckhardt, to explain the bill. Senator Hancock sent up a committee substitute. The chair recognized Senator Eckhardt to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed.

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 that SB 1285 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 1359 and recognized the author, 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 Perry moved that SB 1359 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 1583 and recognized the author, Senator Blanco, 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 SB 1583 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 2692 and recognized the author, Senator Hancock, to explain the bill. Senator Hancock sent up a committee substitute. The chair recognized Senator Hancock to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed.

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 that SB 2692 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 1898 and recognized the author, Senator Johnson, to explain the bill. Senator Hancock sent up a committee substitute. The chair recognized Senator Johnson to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed.

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 that SB 1898 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

At 9:52 AM Senator Hancock assumed the chair.

The chair laid out SB 2658 and recognized the author, 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 senate bill as filed.

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 that SB 2658 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 2660 and recognized the author, 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 Hancock moved that SB 2660 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

At 10:50 PM Senator Perry resumed the chair.

At 10:51 AM Senator Perry moved that the Committee stand recessed until 30 minutes upon adjournment of the Senate. Without objection, it was so ordered.

At 4:14 PM Senator Blanco reconvened the meeting.

The chair laid out SB 2661 and recognized the author, 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 Blanco moved that SB 2661 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 2662 and recognized the author, 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 senate bill as filed.

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 that SB 2662 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 2658. Senator Perry moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Perry moved that SB 2658 do not pass but that CSSB 2658 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 2 absent.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 2660. Senator Perry moved that SB 2660 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

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 2662. Senator Perry moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Perry moved that SB 2662 do not pass but that CSSB 2662 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 2 absent.

At 4:48 PM Senator Perry resumed the chair.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 2692. Senator Kolkhorst moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Perry moved that SB 2692 do not pass but that CSSB 2692 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 2 absent.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 1055. Senator Perry moved that SB 1055 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 Kolkhorst 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 1169. Senator Adam Hinojosa moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Adam Hinojosa moved that SB 1169 do not pass but that CSSB 1169 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 2 absent.

Senator Adam Hinojosa 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 1413. Senator Kolkhorst moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Kolkhorst moved that SB 1413 do not pass but that CSSB 1413 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 2 absent.

Senator Kolkhorst 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 1583. Senator Blanco moved that SB 1583 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 Blanco 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 1898. Senator Johnson moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Johnson moved that SB 1898 do not pass but that CSSB 1898 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 2 absent.

Senator Johnson 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 2161. Senator Kolkhorst moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Kolkhorst moved that SB 2161 do not pass but that CSSB 2161 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 2 absent.

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

There being no further business, at 4:56 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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Jayna Grove, Clerk