MINUTES 
          
                      SENATE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES 
                             Tuesday, March 30, 1999 
                                     2:00 pm 
                                 Senate Chamber 
          
                                      ***** 
          
         Pursuant to a notice posted in accordance with Senate Rule  
         11.11, a public hearing of the Senate Committee on Natural  
         Resources was held on Tuesday, March 30, 1999 in the Senate  
         Chamber at Austin, Texas.   
          
                                      ***** 
          
         MEMBERS PRESENT:                        MEMBERS ABSENT: 
         Senator J. E. "Buster" Brown, Chair     Senator Bill Ratliff 
         Senator Kenneth Armbrister 
         Senator Gonzalo Barrientos 
         Senator Teel Bivins 
         Senator Tom Haywood 
         Senator Eddie Lucio, Jr. 
          
                                      ***** 
          
         The Chair called the meeting to order at 2:12 pm.  There being  
         a quorum present, the following business was transacted.   
          
         Senbator Barrientos moved that the Minutes from the March 23rd  
         and March 25th hearing be adopted.  There being no objection,  
         it was so ordered. 
          
         The Chair notified the Committee that SB 705 and SB 1300 would  
         not be heard. 
          
         At 2:13 pm, Senator Armbrister assumed the Chair and laid out  
         SB 1310.  Senator Brown, the author, explained the bill. 
          
         Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on  
         the attached list.   
          
         Senator Brown moved that SB 1310 be reported favorably to the  
         full Senate.  The motion carried with a vote of 6 ayes, 0  
         nays, 0 present not voting and 1 absent.  Senator Brown moved  
         that SB 1310 be recommended for placement on the Local &  
         Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered. 
          
         At 2:21 pm, Senator Brown assumed the Chair and laid out SB  
         1555.  Senator Fraser, the author, explained the bill.   
          
         Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on  
  
         the attached list.   
          
         Senator Armbrister moved that SB 1555 be reported favorably to  
         the full Senate.  The motion carried with a vote of 6 ayes, 0  
         nays, 0 present not voting and 1 absent.  Senator Armbrister  
         moved that SB 1555 be recommended for placement on the Local &  
         Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was  so ordered. 
          
         The Chair laid out SB 513 and Senator Carona, the author,  
         explained the bill.  Senator Barrientos sent up a new  
         Committee Substitute and Senator Carona explained the  
         differences in the Substitute.  Senator Barrientos moved  
         adoption of the Substitute; without objection, the Substitute  
         was adopted.   
          
         No public testimony was taken on the bill. 
          
         Senator Barrientos moved that CSSB 513 be reported favorably  
         to the full Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and  
         be printed.  The motion carried with a vote of 4 ayes, 2 nays,  
         0 present not voting and 1 absent. 
          
         The Chair laid out SB 1070 and Senator Bivins explained the  
         bill. 
          
         Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on  
         the attached list. 
          
         Senator Bivins moved that SB 1070 be reported favorably to the  
         full Senate.  The motion carried with a vote of 6 ayes, 0  
         nays, 0 present not voting and 1 absent.  Senator Bivins moved  
         that SB 1070 be recommended for placement on the Local &  
         Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered. 
          
         At 2:39 pm, Senator Barrientos assumed the Chair and laid out  
         SB 453.  Senator Brown explained the bill. 
          
         Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on  
         the attached list. 
          
         Senator Brown left SB 453 pending, awaiting for the arrival of  
         its companion House bill. 
          
         The Chair laid out SB 1298 and Senator Brown explained the  
         bill. 
          
         Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on  
         the attached list. 
         Senator Bivins moved that SB 1298 be reported favorably to the  
         full Senate.  The motion carried with a vote of 6 ayes, 0  
         nays, 0 present not voting and 1 absent.   
          
         The Chair laid out SB 1305 and Senator Brown explained the  
         bill.   
          
         Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on  
         the attached list. 
          
         Senator Brown moved that SB 1305 be reported favorably to the  
         full Senate.  The motion carried with a vote of 6 ayes, 0  
         nays, 0 present not voting and 1 absent.  Senator Brown moved  
         that SB 1305 be recommended for placement on the Local &  
         Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered. 
          
         The Chair laid out SB 1306 and Senator Brown sent up a  
         Committee Substitute, explained the differences, and moved its  
         adoption; without objection; the Substitute was adopted. 
          
         Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on  
         the attached list. 
          
         Senator Brown moved that CSSB 1306 be reported favorably to  
         the full Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be  
         printed..  The motion carried with a vote of 6 ayes, 0 nays, 0  
         present not voting and 1 absent.  Senator Brown moved that  
         CSSB 1306 be recommended for placement  on the Local &  
         Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered. 
          
         At 3:25 pm, Senator Lucio assumed the Chair and laid out SB  
         1307.  Senator Brown explained the bill. 
         No public testimony was taken on the bill.  The bill was left  
         pending until a quorum was present. 
          
         The Chair laid out SB 1308 and Senator Brown explained the  
         bill.  Senator Brown sent up Committee Amendment One,  
         explained the Amendment and moved its adoption; without  
         objection, the amendment was adopted.   
          
         No public testimony was taken on the bill. 
          
         Senator Brown moved that SB 1308 be reported favorably as  
         Amended to the full Senate.  The motion carried with a vote of  
         6 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting and 1 absent.  
          
         Senator Brown moved that SB 1307 be reported favorably to the  
         full Senate.  The motion carried with a vote of 6 ayes, 0  
         nays, 0 present not voting and 1 absent.  Senator Brown moved  
         that SB 1307 and  
         1308 be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested  
         Calendar; without objection, it was  so ordered. 
          
         At 3:20 pm, Senator Brown assumed the Chair and laid out SB  
         944.  Senator Armbrister, the author, explained the bill. 
          
         Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on  
         the attached list. 
          
         Senator Brown explained that a lot of legislation dealing with  
         Groundwater Districts have been filed and a Subcommittee on  
         Groundwater Districts was created. 
  
         Senator Lucio moved to refer SBs 635, 943, 944, 1826 and 1829  
         to the Subcommittee on Groundwater Districts.  It was so  
         ordered. 
          
         The Chair laid out SB 938 and Senator Armbrister explained the  
         bill.   
          
         At 3:50 pm, Senator Lucio assumed the Chair. 
          
         Witnesses testifying and registering on SB 938 are shown on  
         the attached list. 
          
         Senator Armbrister moved that SB 938 be reported favorably to  
         the full Senate.  The motion carried with a vote of 6 ayes, 0  
         nays, 0 present not voting and 1 absent.   
          
         The chair laid out SB 1152 and Senator Bivins, the author,  
         explained the bill.  Senator Bivins sent up a Committee  
         Substitute, explained the Substitute and moved adoption;  
         without objection, the Substitute was adopted. 
          
         Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on  
         the attached list.   
          
         At 4:37 pm, Senator Brown assumed the Chair and Commissioner  
         Dewhurst answered questions on SB 1152. 
          
         Senator Bivins sent up Committee Amendments One, Two and Three  
         and moved their adoption; without objection, the amendments  
         were adopted.  Senator Bivins moved that Amendments One, Two  
         and Three be rolled into a new Committee Substitute; without  
         objection, it was so ordered.  Senator Bivins moved that CSSB  
         1152 be adopted and be reported favorably to the full Senate  
         with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.  The  
         motion carried with a vote of 6 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not  
         voting and 1 absent. 
          
         The Chair laid out SB 1270 and Senator Wentworth, the author,  
         explained the bill. 
          
         Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on  
         the attached list. 
          
         The bill was left pending awaiting a quorum. 
          
         The Chair laid out SB 1282 and Senator Wentworth, the author,  
         explained the bill.   
          
         Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on  
         the attached list. 
          
         The bill was left pending awaiting a quorum. 
          
         The Chair laid out SB 1797 and Senator Duncan, the author,  
  
         explained the bill. 
          
         Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on  
         the attached list.   
          
         The bill was left pending before the Committee. 
          
         The Chair laid out SB 736 and Senator Armbrister, the author,  
         explained the bill. 
          
         No public testimony was taken on the bill. 
          
         Senator Armbrister moved that SB 736 be reported favorably to  
         the full Senate.  The motion carried with a vote of 6 ayes, 0  
         nays, 0 present not voting and 1 absent.  Senator Armbrister  
         moved that SB 736  be recommended for placement on the Local &  
         Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered. 
          
         Senator Armbrister moved that SB 1270 be reported favorably to  
         the full Senate.  The motion carried with a vote of 6 ayes, 0  
         nays, 0 present not voting and 1 absent.  Senator Armbrister  
         moved that SB 1270 be recommended for placement on the Local &  
         Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was  so ordered.   
          
         Senator Armbrister moved that SB 1282 be reported favorably to  
         the full Senate.  The motion carried with a vote of 6 ayes, 0  
         nays, 0 present not voting and 1 absent.  Senator Armbrister  
         moved that SB 1282 be recommended for placement on the Local &  
         Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was  so ordered. 
          
         The Chair laid out SB 1178 and Senator Armbrister sent up a  
         Committee Substitute.  Senator Ogden, the author, explained  
         the Substitute. 
          
         Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on  
         the attached list. 
          
         Senator Lucio moved adoption of CSSB 1178; without objection,  
         the Substitute was adopted.  Senator Lucio moved that CSSB  
         1178 be reported favorably to the full Senate.  The motion  
         carried with a vote of 6 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting  
         and 1 absent.  Senator Armbrister moved that CSSB 1178 be  
         recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar;  
         without objection, it was so ordered. 
          
         The Chair laid out SB 821 and Senator Armbrister, the author,  
         explained the bill.  Senator Armbrister sent up Committee  
         Amendment One and moved its adoption; without objection, the  
         amendment was adopted.   
          
         Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on  
         the attached list. 
          
         The bill was left pending awaiting a quorum. 
          
         At 5:36 pm, Senator Armbrister assumed the Chair and laid out  
         SB 1309.  Senator Brown, the author,  sent up a Committee  
         Substitute, explained the Substitute, and moved its adoption;  
         without objection; the Substitute was adopted. 
          
         Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on  
         the attached list. 
          
         Senator Brown moved that CSSB 1309 be reported favorably to  
         the full Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be  
         printed.  The motion carried with a vote of 6 ayes, 0 nays, 0  
         present not voting and 1 absent.  Senator Brown moved that  
         CSSB 1309 be recommended for placement on the Local &  
         Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered. 
          
         At 5:40 pm, Senator Brown assumed the Chair. 
          
         Senator Armbrister moved that the amendment to SB 821, be  
         rolled into a Committee Substitute; without objection, it was  
         so ordered.  Senator Armbrister moved that CSSB 821 be adopted  
         and  reported favorably to the full Senate with the  
         recommendation that it do pass and be printed.  The motion  
         carried with a vote of 6 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting  
         and 1 absent.  Senator Armbrister moved that CSSB 821 be  
         recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar;  
         without objection, it was so ordered. 
          
         At 5:41 pm, Senator Armbrister assumed the Chair and laid out  
         SB 1311.  Senator Brown, the author sent up a Committee  
         Substitute and explained the Substitute. 
          
         Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on  
         the attached list. 
          
         Senator Brown moved adoption of the Committee Substitute;  
         without objection, the Substitute was adopted.  Senator Brown  
         moved that CSSB 1311 be reported favorably to the full Senate  
         with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.  The  
         motion carried with a vote of 6 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not  
         voting and 1 absent.  Senator Brown moved that CSSB 1311 be  
         recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar;  
         without objection, it was so ordered. 
          
         At 5:52 pm, Senator Brown assumed the Chair and laid out SB  
         1312.  Senator Armbrister explained the bill. 
          
         Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on  
         the attched list. 
          
         At 6:30 pm, Senator Lucio assumed the Chair. 
          
         At 6:52 pm, Senator Brown assumed the Chair and then closed  
         public testimony on the bill.  The bill was left pending  
         before the committee.  
          
         Senator Haywood sent up the Subcommittee on Ag report on SB  
         518, and Senator Armbrister moved  adoption of the  
         Subcommittee report.  The Chair laid out SB 518. 
          
         Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on  
         the attached list. 
          
         Senator Armbrister moved that SB 518 be reported favorably to  
         the full Senate.  The motion carried with a vote of 6 ayes, 0  
         nays, 0 present not voting and 1 absent.  Senator Armbrister  
         moved that SB 518 be recommended for placement on the Local &  
         Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered. 
          
         At 7:01 pm, Senator Armbrister assumed the Chair and laid out  
         SB 766.  Senator Brown sent up a Committee Substitute and  
         explained the Substitute.  
          
         Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on  
         the attached list. 
          
         Senator Brown moved to adopt the Committee Substitute for SB  
         766; without objection, the Substitute was adopted.  Senator  
         Brown moved that CSSB 766 be reported favorably to the full  
         Senate.  The motion carried with a vote of 5 ayes, 1 nay, 0  
         present not voting and 1 absent.   
          
         At 8:42 pm,  the Chair laid out SB 1303.  Senator Brown sent  
         up a Committee Substitute and explained the Substitute. 
          
         Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on  
         the attached list. 
          
         Public testimony on SB 1303 was closed and the bill was left  
         pending before the Committee. 
          
         Senator Brown moved to correct the record and show that Mr.  
         Tom "Smitty" Smith was in favor of CSSB 821. 
          
         There being no further business, at 10:30 pm Senator  
         Armbrister moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to  
         the call of the Chair.  Without objection, it was so ordered. 
          
         ___________________________                   
                                                      __________________ 
                                                      ___________ 
         Senator J.E. "Buster" Brown, Chair                     Carol  
                                                                McGarah 
                                                                , Clerk