MINUTES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON WATER, AGRICULTURE AND RURAL AFFAIRS

Monday, May 19, 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, May 19, 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 8:06 AM, the following business was transacted:

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

The chair laid out HB 3479 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 3479 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 823 and recognized the author, Senator Middleton, to explain the bill. Senator Hancock sent up a committee substitute. The chair recognized Senator Middleton 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 823 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out HB 3088 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. The chair moved that HB 3088 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out HB 1275 and recognized the Senate sponsor, 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. The chair moved that HB 1275 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out HB 519 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Kolkhorst, 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 519 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out HB 609 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 609 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out HB 1592 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Kolkhorst, 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 1592 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

At 8:25 AM Senator Hancock assumed the chair.

The chair laid out HB 2842 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 2842 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out HB 4163 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 4163 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

At 8:31 AM Senator Perry resumed the chair.

The chair laid out HB 43 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Sparks, to explain the bill. Senator Hancock sent up a committee substitute. The chair recognized Senator Sparks 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 HB 43 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business HB 43. Senator Hancock moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Sparks moved that HB 43 do not pass but that CSHB 43 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.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business HB 519. Senator Kolkhorst moved that HB 519 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 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 HB 609. Senator Kolkhorst moved that HB 609 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 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 HB 1275. Senator Blanco moved that HB 1275 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 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 HB 1592. Senator Kolkhorst moved that HB 1592 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 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 HB 3088. Senator Hancock moved that HB 3088 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 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 3479. Senator Hancock moved that HB 3479 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 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 SB 823. Senator Kolkhorst moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Kolkhorst moved that SB 823 do not pass but that CSSB 823 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.

At 9:17 AM Senator Hancock assumed the chair.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business HB 2842. Senator Perry moved that HB 2842 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 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 4163. Senator Perry moved that HB 4163 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 Perry moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

At 9:18 AM Senator Perry resumed the chair.

There being no further business, at 9:18 AM 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