MINUTES SENATE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES Thursday, April 29, 1999 2:00 pm Capitol Extension, Room E1.012 ***** 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 Thursday, April 29, 1999 in the Capitol Extension, Room E1.012, 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 4:52 pm. There being a quorum present, the following business was transacted. The Chair laid out SB 1665 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. Senator Armbister moved adoption of the Committee Substitute; without objection, the Substitute was adopted. Senator Armbrister moved that CSSB 1665 pass and 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 1502 and Senator Lindsay, the author, explained the bill. Senator Armbrister sent up a Committee Substitute. Senator Jackson joined the Hearing and had questions for the author of the bill. Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached list. Public testimony was closed and Senator Armbrister moved for the adoption of the Committee Substitute; without objection, the Substitute was adopted. The bill was left pending before the Committee. The Chair announced that he would not be moving Groundwater District Bills through the Natural Resources Committee this session. Instead, a comprehensive interim study on the issue would be conducted during the interim. The Chair laid out HCR 23 and Senator Haywood, the sponsor, explained the Resolution. Senator Lucio moved that HCR 23 pass and 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 Haywood moved that HCR 23 be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered. The Chair laid out SB 1877 and Senator Ogden, 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. Public testimony was closed and Senator Lucio moved that SB 1877, as amended, pass and 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 HB 1437 and Senator Ogden, the sponsor, explained the bill. Senator Armbrister sent up a Committee Substitute and moved adoption; without objection, the Substitute was adopted. No public testimony was taken and Senator Lucio moved that CSHB 1437 pass and 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 Lucio moved that CSHB 1437 be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered. The Chair laid out HB 1985 and Senator Armbrister, the sponsor, explained the bill. Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached list. Public testimony was closed and Senator Armbrister moved that HB 1985 pass and 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 HB 1985 be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered. The Chair laid out HB 2332 and Senator Armbrister, the sponsor, explained the bill. No public testimony was taken on the bill. Senator Armbrister moved that HB 2332 pass and 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 HB 2332 be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered. The Chair laid out HB 2465 and Senator Armbrister, the sponsor, explained the bill. No public testimony was taken on the bill. Senator Armbrister moved that HB 2465 pass and 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 HB 2465 be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered. At 6:12 pm, Senator Armbrister assumed the Chair. The Chair laid out HB 664 and Senator Brown, the sponsor, explained the bill. Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached list. Senator Brown moved that HB 664 pass and 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 HB 664 be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered. At 6:19 pm, Senator Brown assumed the Chair and laid out HB 2932. Senator Barrientos explained the bill for the sponsor, Senator Wentworth. No public testimony was taken on the bill and Senator Barrientos moved that HB 2932 pass and 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 Barrientos moved that HB 2932 be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered. The Chair laid out HB 3591 and Senator Barrientos explained the bill for the sponsor, Senator Wentworth. No public testimony was taken and Senator Barrientos moved that HB 3591 pass and 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 Barrientos moved that HB 3591 be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered. The Chair laid out HB 1074 and Senator Barrientos explained the bill for the sponsor, Senator Wentworth. Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached list. Public testimony was closed and Senator Barrientos moved that HB 1074 pass and 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 Barrientos moved that HB 1074 be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered. There being no further business, at 6:46 pm Senator Barrientos 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