MINUTES

 

SENATE COMMITTEE ON WATER, AGRICULTURE & RURAL AFFAIRS

Thursday, May 13, 2021

8:00 AM

Capitol Extension, Room E1.016

 

*****

 

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 & Rural Affairs was held on Thursday, May 13, 2021, in the Capitol Extension, Room E1.016, at Austin, Texas.

 

*****

 

MEMBERS PRESENT:

 

MEMBERS ABSENT:

Senator Charles Perry, Chair

 

Senator Brandon Creighton

Senator Drew Springer, Vice Chair

 

 

Senator Sarah Eckhardt

 

 

Senator Roland Gutierrez

 

 

Senator Nathan Johnson

 

 

Senator Lois Kolkhorst

 

 

Senator Beverly Powell

 

 

Senator Larry Taylor

 

 

 

*****

 

The chair called the meeting to order at 8:00 AM. There being a quorum present at 8:05 AM, the following business was transacted:

 

The following members arrived after the roll was called:

Senator Nathan Johnson

Senator Sarah Eckhardt

Senator Roland Gutierrez

Senator Lois Kolkhorst

 

The chair laid out HB 2840 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Juan 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 HB 2840 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out HB 2841 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Juan 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 HB 2841 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out HB 3132 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Seliger, 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.

 

The chair moved that HB 3132 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out HB 3689 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Gutierrez, 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.

 

The chair moved that HB 3689 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out SB 472 and recognized the author, 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 SB 472 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out HB 2213 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Kolkhorst, 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.

 

The chair moved that HB 2213 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out HB 1484 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Springer, 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 1484 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out HB 1958 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Springer, 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.

 

The chair moved that HB 1958 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out HB 2326 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Springer, to explain the bill.

 

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

 

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 that HB 2326 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out HB 3442 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Powell, 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 3442 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

Senator Springer assumed the chair.

 

The chair laid out HB 4579 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Perry, to explain the bill.

 

No witnesses testified or registered on the bill.

 

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

 

The chair moved that HB 4579 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out HB 4436 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Perry, 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 Perry moved that HB 4436 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

As a matter of pending business, the chair laid out anew HB 4579.

 

The chair moved that HB 4579 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 Johnson, Kolkhorst and Taylor submitted motions in writing requesting unanimous consent to be shown voting aye on HB 4579; without objection it was so ordered.

 

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

 

As a matter of pending business, the chair laid out anew HB 4436.

 

The chair moved that HB 4436 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 Johnson, Kolkhorst and Taylor submitted motions in writing requesting unanimous consent to be shown voting aye on HB 4436; without objection it was so ordered.

 

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

 

Senator Perry resumed the chair.

 

As a matter of pending business, the chair laid out anew HB 837.

 

The chair moved that HB 837 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 Johnson, Kolkhorst and Taylor submitted motions in writing requesting unanimous consent to be shown voting aye on HB 837; without objection it was so ordered.

 

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

 

As a matter of pending business, the chair laid out anew HB 3132.

 

The chair moved that HB 3132 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 Johnson, Kolkhorst and Taylor submitted motions in writing requesting unanimous consent to be shown voting aye on HB 3132; without objection it was so ordered.

 

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

 

As a matter of pending business, the chair laid out anew HB 2840.

 

The chair moved that HB 2840 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 Johnson, Kolkhorst and Taylor submitted motions in writing requesting unanimous consent to be shown voting aye on HB 2840; without objection it was so ordered.

 

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

 

As a matter of pending business, the chair laid out anew HB 2841.

 

The chair moved that HB 2841 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 Johnson, Kolkhorst and Taylor submitted motions in writing requesting unanimous consent to be shown voting aye on HB 2841; without objection it was so ordered.

 

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

 

As a matter of pending business, the chair laid out anew HB 3442.

 

The chair moved that HB 3442 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 Johnson, Kolkhorst and Taylor submitted motions in writing requesting unanimous consent to be shown voting aye on HB 3442; without objection it was so ordered.

 

As a matter of pending business, the chair laid out anew HB 2213.

 

The chair moved that HB 2213 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 Johnson, Kolkhorst and Taylor submitted motions in writing requesting unanimous consent to be shown voting aye on HB 2213; without objection it was so ordered.

 

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

 

As a matter of pending business, the chair laid out anew HB 1484.

 

The chair moved that HB 1484 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 Johnson, Kolkhorst and Taylor submitted motions in writing requesting unanimous consent to be shown voting aye on HB 1484; without objection it was so ordered.

 

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

 

As a matter of pending business, the chair laid out anew HB 1958.

 

The chair moved that HB 1958 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 Johnson, Kolkhorst and Taylor submitted motions in writing requesting unanimous consent to be shown voting aye on HB 1958; without objection it was so ordered.

 

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

 

As a matter of pending business, the chair laid out anew HB 2326.

 

The chair moved that HB 2326 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 Johnson, Kolkhorst and Taylor submitted motions in writing requesting unanimous consent to be shown voting aye on HB 2326; without objection it was so ordered.

 

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

 

As a matter of pending business, the chair laid out anew HB 3689.

 

The chair moved that HB 3689 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 Johnson, Kolkhorst and Taylor submitted motions in writing requesting unanimous consent to be shown voting aye on HB 3689; without objection it was so ordered.

 

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

 

The posting rule, Senate Rule 11.10 and 11.18, was suspended to hear the following bill:

HB 3856.

 

As a matter of pending business, the chair laid out anew HB 3856.

 

The chair moved that HB 3856 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 Johnson, Kolkhorst and Taylor submitted motions in writing requesting unanimous consent to be shown voting aye on HB 3856; without objection it was so ordered.

 

The chair 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 9:18 AM Senator Springer moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of the chair. Without objection, it was so ordered.

 

 

 

__________________________________________

Senator Charles Perry, Chair

 

 

__________________________________________

Lauren Murray, Clerk