MINUTES
SENATE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES
Tuesday, April 6, 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, April 6, 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 2:20 pm. There being
a quorum present, the following business was transacted.
Senator Bivins moved that the Minutes from the March 30th and
March 31st hearing be adopted. There being no objection, it
was so ordered.
The Chair laid out the Subcommittee on Ag report and moved for
its adoption; without objection, it was so ordered.
The Chair laid out SB 1241 and Senator Bivins explained the
bill.
Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on
the attached list.
Senator Bivins moved that SB 1241 be reported favorably to the
full Senate. The motion carried with a vote of 4 ayes, 0
nays, 0 present not voting and 3 absent. Senator Bivins moved
that SB 1241 be recommended for placement on the Local &
Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.
The Chair laid out SB 197 and Senator Barrientos explained the
bill.
Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on
the attached list.
Senator Barrientos moved that SB 197 be reported favorably to
the full Senate. The motion carried with a vote of 5 ayes, 0
nays, 0 present not voting and 2 absent. Senator Barrientos
moved that SB 197 be recommended for placement on the Local &
Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.
The Chair laid out SB 992 and Senator Lucio explained the
bill.
No public testimony was taken on the bill.
Senator Lucio moved that SB 992 be reported favorably to the
full Senate. The motion carried with a vote of 5 ayes, 0
nays, 0 present not voting and 2 absent. Senator Lucio moved
that SB 992 be recommended for placement on the Local &
Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.
The Chair laid out CSSB 1028 and Senator Lucio explained the
bill.
No public testimony was taken on the bill.
Senator Lucio moved that CSSB 1028 be reported favorably to
the full Senate. The motion carried with a vote of 5 ayes, 0
nays, 0 present not voting and 2 absent.
Senator Barrientos moved that the Committee vote on CSSB 1028
be reconsidered. Senator Lucio asked that CSSB 1028 be left
pending due to the fiscal note.
The Chair laid out SB 774 and Senator Lucio explained the
bill.
Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on
the attached list.
Senator Lucio moved that SB 774 be reported favorably to the
full Senate. The motion carried with a vote of 5 ayes, 0
nays, 0 present not voting and 2 absent. Senator Lucio moved
that SB 774 be recommended for placement on the Local &
Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.
The Chair laid out SB 690 and Senator Lucio explained the
bill. Senator Lucio sent up a Committee Substitute and
explained the differences.
Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on
the attached list.
Senator Lucio moved adoption of the Committee Substitute for
SB 690; without objection, the Substitute was adopted.
Senator Lucio moved that CSSB 690 be reported favorably to the
full Senate
with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The
motion carried with a vote of 5 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not
voting, and 2 absent. Senator Lucio moved that CSSB 690 be
recommended for
placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without
objection, it was so ordered.
The Chair laid out SB 889 and Senator Harris, the author,
explained the bill. Senator Barrientos sent up a Committee
Substitute and Senator Harris explained the differences in the
Substitute.
Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on
the attached list.
Senator Barrientos moved adoption of the Committee Substitute;
without objection, the Substitute was adopted. The bill was
left pending before the Committee.
The Chair laid out SB 1667 and Senator Barrientos sent up a
Committee substitute before Senator Jackson explained the
differences in the Substitute.
Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on
the attached list.
Testimony on the bill was closed and the bill was left
pending, awaiting a quorum.
The Chair laid out CSSB 1532 and Senator Carona, the author,
explained the bill. There was no public testimony and the
bill was left pending awaiting the arrival of a quorum.
The Chair laid out SB 1447 and Senator Barrientos explained
the bill.
Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on
the attached list.
Senator Barrientos sent up Committee Amendments One and Two
and moved their adoption; without objection, the amendments
were adopted.
Public testimony on the bill was closed and SB 1447 as amended
was left pending, awaiting the arrival of a quorum.
At 3:35 pm, Senator Barrientos assumed the Chair and laid out
SB 1300. Senator Brown sent up a Committee Substitute and
explained the differences in the Substitute. Senator Brown
moved adoption
of the Substitute; without objection, the Substitute was
adopted.
Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on
the attached list.
Public testimony was closed and the bill was left pending,
awaiting the arrival of a quorum.
The Chair laid out SB 1594 and Senator Brown explained the
bill. Senator Brown sent up a Committee Substitute and moved
adoption of the Substitute; without objection, the Substitute
was adopted.
Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on
the attached list.
Public testimony was closed and the bill was left pending,
awaiting the arrival of a quorum.
The Chair laid out HB 1289 and Senator Brown explained the
bill.
Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on
the attached list.
Public testimony was closed and the bill was left pending,
awaiting the arrival of a quorum.
At 4:52 pm, Senator Brown assumed the Chair and laid out SB
1154. Senator Bernsen, the author, explained the bill and
Senator Barrientos sent up a Committee Substitute.
Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on
the attached list.
Senator Barrientos moved adoption of the Substitute; without
objection, the Substitute was adopted.
Public testimony on the bill was closed and the bill was left
pending, awaiting the arrival of a quorum.
The Chair laid out SB 1685 and Senator Bernsen, the author,
explained the bill. Senator Lucio sent up a Committee
Substitute and Senator Bernsen explained the differences in
the Substitute. Senator Lucio
moved adoption of the Substitute; without objection, the
Substitute was adopted.
Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on
the attached list.
Public testimony was closed and the bill was left pending,
awaiting a quorum.
The Chair, again, laid out CSSB 1685 and Senator Lucio sent up
Committee Amendment One and Senator Bernsen explained the
Amendment. Senator Lucio moved its adoption; without
objection, the amendment was adopted. Senator Lucio moved
that Amendment One be rolled into a new Committee Substitute;
without objection, it was so ordered. The new Substitute was
then adopted. CSSB 1685 was left pending before the
Committee.
The Chair laid out SB 1690 and Senator Lucio sent up a
Committee Substitute. Senator Bernsen explained the
differences to the Substitute.
At 4:22 pm, Senator Lucio assumed the Chair.
Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on
the attached list. The bill was left pending.
The Chair again laid out the Committee Substitute to SB 1690
and moved adoption; without objection, the substitute was
adopted. Senator Barrientos sent up Committee Amendments One
and Two and moved their adoption; without objection, the
amendments were adopted. Senator Barrientos moved that
Amendments One and Two be rolled into a new Committee
Substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. The new
Substitute was then adopted. The bill was left pending before
the Committee.
The Chair laid out CSSB 1430 and Senator Duncan explained the
Committee Substitute that passed out of the Subcommittee on
Agriculture. Senator Lucio sent up Committee Amendment
One and moved adoption; without objection, the amendments were
adopted. Senator Lucio moved that Amendment One be rolled
into a new Committee Substitute; without objection, it was so
ordered.
Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on
the attached list.
Public testimony on the bill was closed and the bill was left
pending, awaiting a quorum.
The Chair laid out SB 1429 and Senator Duncan explained the
bill.
Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on
the attached list.
Senator Lucio sent up Committee Amendment One and moved its
adoption; without objection, the amendment was adopted.
Senator Lucio moved that SB 1429, as amended, be reported
favorably to the full Senate. The motion carried with a vote
of 4 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 3 absent.
Senator Lucio moved that SB 1429 be recommended for placement
on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was
so ordered.
The Chair laid out SB 950 and Senator Duncan explained the
bill. Senator Armbrister sent up Committee Amendment One and
Two and moved their adoption; without objection, the
amendments were adopted.
Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on
the attached list.
Public testimony on the bill was closed and Senator Lucio
moved that SB 950 be reported favorably, as amended, to the
full Senate. The motion carried with a vote of 4 ayes, 0
nays, 0 present not voting, and 3 absent.
The Chair laid out SB 1797 and Senator Armbrister sent up a
Committee Substitute. Senator Duncan, the author, explained
the differences to the Substitute. Senator Armbrister moved
adoption of the Committee Substitute; without objection, the
Substitute was adopted. The bill was left pending before the
Committee.
The Chair laid out SB 700 and Senator Lindsay, the author,
explained the bill. Senator Armbrister sent up a Committee
Substitute.
Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on
the attached list.
Public testimony on the bill was closed and the Chair referred
SB 700 to the Subcommittee on Groundwater Districts.
The Chair laid out SB 1500 and Senator Lindsay, the author,
explained the bill. Senator Armbrister sent up a Committee
Substitute.
Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on
the attached list.
Public testimony was closed on the bill and Senator Armbrister
moved adoption of the Committee Substitute; without objection,
the Substitute was adopted. The bill was left pending before
the Committee.
The Chair laid out SB 1755 and Senator Armbrister sent up a
Committee Substitute, explained the differences to the
Substitute.
Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on
the attached list.
Senator Armbrister moved adoption of the Committee Substitute;
without objection, the Substitute was adopted. Senator
Armbrister moved that CSSB 1755 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, 0 nays, 0
present not voting and 3 absent. Senator Armbister moved that
CSSB 1755 be recommended for placement on the Local &
Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.
Senator Armbrister moved adoption of the Committee Substitute
to SB 1667; without objection, the Substitute was adopted.
Senator Armbrister moved that CSSB 1667 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, 0 nays, 0 present
not voting, and 3 absent. Senator Lucio moved that CSSB 1667
be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested
Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.
The Chair laid out CSSB 1532 and Senator Bivins sent up
Committee Amendment One and moved its adoption; without
objection, the amendment was adopted. Senator Bivins moved
that Amendment One be rolled into a new Committee Substitute;
without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Bivins moved
that CSSB 1532 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 4 ayes, 0 nays, 0
present not voting, and 3 absent. Senator Bivins moved that
CSSB 1532 be recommended for placement on the Local &
Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.
Senator Lucio moved that SB 1447, as amended, pass and be
reported favorably to the full Senate. The motion carried
with a vote of 4 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 3
absent. Senator Lucio moved that SB 1447 be recommended for
placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without
objection, it was so ordered.
Senator Armbrister moved that CSSB 1300 pass and be reported
favorably to the full Senate. The motion carried with a vote
of 4 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting and 3 absent. Senator
Armbrister moved that CSSB 1300 be recommended for placement
on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was
so ordered.
Senator Armbrister moved that HB 1289 pass and be reported
favorably to the full Senate. The motion carried with a vote
of 4 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 3 absent.
Senator Armbrister moved that HB 1289 be recommended for
placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without
objection, it was so ordered.
Senator Lucio moved that CSSB 1594 pass and be reported
favorably to the full Senate. The motion carried with a vote
of 4 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 3 absent.
Senator Lucio moved that CSSB 1594 be recommended for
placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without
objection, it was so ordered.
Senator Bivins moved that CSSB 1430 pass and be reported
favorably to the full Senate. The motion carried with a vote
of 4 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 3 absent.
Senator Bivins moved that CSSB 1430 be recommended for
placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without
objection, it was so ordered.
Senator Armbrister moved that CSSB 1500 be reported favorably
to the full Senate. One motion failed with a vote of 3 ayes,
1 nay, and 3 absent.
Senator Armbrister then moved that his vote on CSSB 1500 be
changed from aye to nay. The bill was left pending before the
Committee.
There being no further business, at 7:38 pm Senator Armbrister
moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of
the Chair. Without objection, it was so ordered.
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Senator J.E. "Buster" Brown, Chair
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