MINUTES
SENATE COMMITTEE ON WATER, AGRICULTURE AND RURAL AFFAIRS
Friday, May 23, 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 Friday, May 23, 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 Brian Birdwell |
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Senator Kelly Hancock, Vice Chair |
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Senator César Blanco |
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Senator Roland Gutierrez |
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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 8:01 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 Gutierrez, Senator Adam Hinojosa, Senator Johnson, and Senator Kolkhorst.
The chair laid out HB 3898 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 3898 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.
The chair laid out HB 5339 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 5339 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.
The chair laid out HB 1523 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Schwertner, to explain the bill. Senator Hancock sent up a committee substitute. The chair recognized Senator Schwertner 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 1523 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.
The chair laid out HB 5659 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Hughes, to explain the bill. Senator Perry 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 HB 5659 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.
The chair laid out HB 1690 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Kolkhorst, to explain the bill. Senator Perry sent up a committee substitute. The chair recognized Senator Kolkhorst 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 1690 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.
The chair laid out HB 3333 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Blanco, to explain the bill. Senator Perry sent up a committee substitute. The chair recognized Senator Blanco 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 3333 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.
The chair laid out HCR 108 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 HCR 108 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.
At 9:10 AM Senator Hancock assumed the chair.
The chair laid out HCR 76 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Adam Hinojosa, 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 HCR 76 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.
The chair laid out HB 4158 and recognized Senator Adam Hinojosa, in the absence of the Senate sponsor, 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 4158 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.
The chair laid out HB 654 and recognized Senator Gutierrez, in the absence of the Senate sponsor, 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 654 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.
The chair laid out HB 4530 and recognized Senator Adam Hinojosa, in the absence of the Senate sponsor, 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 4530 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.
The chair laid out HB 2128 and recognized Senator Gutierrez, in the absence of the Senate sponsor, 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 2128 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.
The chair laid out HB 2078 and recognized Senator Blanco, in the absence of the Senate sponsor, 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 2078 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.
The chair laid out HB 2080 and recognized the Senate sponsor, 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 HB 2080 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.
The chair laid out HB 4630 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 4630 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.
At 9:53 AM Senator Perry resumed the chair.
The chair laid out as a matter of pending business HB 654. 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 7 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 2 absent. The following members submitted a motion in writing to be shown voting aye on the bill: Senator Blanco and Senator Kolkhorst.
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 1523. Senator Hancock moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Hancock moved that HB 1523 do not pass but that CSHB 1523 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 following members submitted a motion in writing to be shown voting aye on the bill: Senator Blanco and Senator Kolkhorst.
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 1690. Senator Hancock moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. The chair moved that HB 1690 do not pass but that CSHB 1690 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 Kolkhorst 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.
At 9:57 AM Senator Hancock assumed the chair.
The chair laid out as a matter of pending business HB 2078. Senator Perry moved that HB 2078 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 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 2080. The chair moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Perry moved that HB 2080 do not pass but that CSHB 2080 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, 1 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent. Senator Kolkhorst submitted a motion in writing to be shown voting aye on the bill.
At 9:58 AM Senator Perry resumed the chair.
The chair laid out as a matter of pending business HB 2128. Senator Hancock moved that HB 2128 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 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 3333. The chair moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Blanco moved that HB 3333 do not pass but that CSHB 3333 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, 1 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent. Senator Kolkhorst submitted a motion in writing to be shown voting aye on the bill.
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 4158. Senator Hancock moved that HB 4158 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 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 4530. Senator Johnson moved that HB 4530 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 submitted a motion in writing to be shown voting aye on the bill.
Senator Johnson moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.
At 10:01 AM Senator Hancock assumed the chair.
The chair laid out as a matter of pending business HB 4630. Senator Perry moved that HB 4630 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 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 10:02 AM Senator Perry resumed the chair.
The chair laid out as a matter of pending business HB 5659. The chair moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Hancock moved that HB 5659 do not pass but that CSHB 5659 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, 1 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent. Senator Kolkhorst submitted a motion in writing to be shown voting aye on the bill.
The chair laid out as a matter of pending business HCR 76. Senator Adam Hinojosa moved that HCR 76 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 submitted a motion in writing to be shown voting aye on the bill.
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 HCR 108. Senator Blanco moved that HCR 108 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, 1 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent. Senator Kolkhorst submitted a motion in writing to be shown voting aye on the bill.
There being no further business, at 10:06 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