MINUTES
SENATE COMMITTEE ON WATER, AGRICULTURE AND RURAL AFFAIRS
Monday, May 12, 2025
11:00 AM or upon adjournment
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, May 12, 2025, in the Capitol Extension, Room E1.012, at Austin, Texas.
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MEMBERS PRESENT: |
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MEMBERS ABSENT: |
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Senator Charles Perry, Chair |
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Senator Roland Gutierrez |
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Senator Kelly Hancock, Vice Chair |
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Senator Brian Birdwell |
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Senator César Blanco |
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Senator Adam Hinojosa |
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Senator Nathan Johnson |
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Senator Lois Kolkhorst |
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Senator Kevin Sparks |
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The chair called the meeting to order at 6:35 PM. There being a quorum present at 6:52 PM, the following business was transacted:
The following members arrived after the roll was called: Senator Blanco, Senator Hinojosa, Senator Johnson, Senator Kolkhorst, and Senator Sparks.
At 6:36 PM Senator Hancock assumed the chair.
The chair laid out HB 2692 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. The chair moved that HB 2692 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.
At 6:38 PM Senator Perry resumed the chair.
The chair laid out HB 685 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Creighton, 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 moved that HB 685 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.
The chair laid out SB 2497 and recognized the author, Senator Zaffirini, to explain the bill. Senator Hancock sent up a committee substitute. The chair recognized Senator Zaffirini 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 2497 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.
The chair laid out HB 630 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. The chair moved that HB 630 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.
The chair laid out HB 1318 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. The chair moved that HB 1318 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.
The chair laid out SB 2850 and recognized the author, Senator Menendez, 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 moved that SB 2850 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.
The chair laid out as a matter of pending business HB 630. Senator Hancock moved that HB 630 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 submitted a motion in writing to be shown voting aye on the bill.
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 685. Senator Hancock moved that HB 685 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 submitted a motion in writing to be shown voting aye on the bill.
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 1318. Senator Hancock moved that HB 1318 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 submitted a motion in writing to be shown voting aye on the bill.
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 1633. Senator Kolkhorst moved that HB 1633 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 submitted a motion in writing to be shown voting aye on the bill.
Senator Kolkhorst moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.
At 7:13 PM Senator Hancock assumed the chair.
The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 1891. The Chair laid out HB 2712, in lieu of SB 1891, which was heard at a previous hearing and left pending. Senator Perry moved that HB 2712 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 submitted a motion in writing to be shown voting aye on the bill.
The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 2661. The Chair laid out HB 5560, in lieu of SB 2661, which was heard at a previous hearing and left pending. 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.
Senator Perry moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Perry moved that HB 5560 do not pass but that CSHB 5560 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 Birdwell submitted a motion in writing to be shown voting aye on the bill.
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 as a matter of pending business HB 2692. Senator Perry moved that HB 2692 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 submitted a motion in writing to be shown voting aye on the bill.
Senator Perry moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.
At 7:18 PM Senator Perry resumed the chair.
The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 2497. Senator Hancock moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Hancock moved that SB 2497 do not pass but that CSSB 2497 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 6 ayes, 2 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent. Senator Birdwell submitted a motion in writing to be shown voting aye on the bill.
The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 2850. Senator Hancock moved that SB 2850 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 submitted a motion in writing to be shown voting aye on the bill.
Senator Hancock 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 7:21 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