MINUTES

 

SENATE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES

Tuesday, April 17, 2007

1:00 p.m. or upon adjournment

Capitol Extension, Room E1.012

 

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Pursuant to a notice posted in accordance with Senate Rule 11.18, a public hearing of the Senate Committee on Natural Resources was held on Tuesday, April 17, 2007, in the Capitol Extension, Room E1.012, at Austin, Texas.

 

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MEMBERS PRESENT:		MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Kip Averitt Senator Craig Estes Senator Kim Brimer Senator Bob Deuell Senator Robert Duncan Senator Kevin Eltife Senator Glenn Hegar Senator Juan Hinojosa Senator Mike Jackson Senator Kel Seliger Senator Carlos Uresti		(none)

 

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The chair called the meeting to order at 2:16 p.m.  There being a quorum present, the following business was transacted: 

 

The chair laid out pending business HB 1311. 

 

Senator Brimer moved that HB 1311 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 nay, 0 present not voting, and 3 absent. 

 

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

 

The chair laid out pending business HB 1312.

 

Senator Seliger moved that HB 1312 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 nay, 0 present not voting, and 3 absent. 

 

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

 

The chair laid out pending business SB 359. 

 

Senator Jackson sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Williams at a previous hearing to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed.  Senator Hinojosa moved adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

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

 

Senator Seliger moved that SB 359 do not pass but that CSSB 359 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 nay, 0 present not voting, and 3 absent. 

 

The chair laid out pending business SB 654.  A committee substitute had been adopted at a previous hearing.

 

Senator Seliger moved that SB 654 do not pass but that CSSB 654 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.  The motion carried with a record vote of 9 ayes, 0 nay, 0 present not voting, and 2 absent. 

 

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

 

The chair laid out SB 1013.  Senator Jackson moved to reconsider the vote by which the committee substitute for SB 1013 was previously reported favorably from committee; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

Senator Jackson moved to reconsider the vote by which the previous committee substitute had been adopted; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

Senator Jackson sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Jackson to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed.  Senator Jackson moved adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

Senator Jackson moved that SB 1013 do not pass but that CSSB 1013 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.  The motion carried with a record vote of 9 ayes, 0 nay, 0 present not voting, and 2 absent. 

 

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

 

The chair laid out pending business SB 1396. 

 

Senator Estes moved that SB 1396 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.  The motion carried with a record vote of 9 ayes, 0 nay, 0 present not voting, and 2 absent. 

 

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

 

The chair laid out pending business SB 707.  A committee substitute had been adopted at a previous committee hearing.

 

Senator Hinojosa moved that SB 707 do not pass but that CSSB 707 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.  The motion carried with a record vote of 9 ayes, 0 nay, 0 present not voting, and 2 absent. 

 

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

 

The chair laid out pending business SB 1932. 

 

Senator Duncan moved that SB 1932 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.  The motion carried with a record vote of 10 ayes, 0 nay, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent. 

 

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

 

Senator Estes assumed the chair. 

 

The chair laid out pending business SB 1668. 

 

Senator Duncan moved that SB 1668 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.  The motion carried with a record vote of 10 ayes, 0 nay, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent. 

 

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

 

The chair laid out pending business SB 1669. 

 

Senator Averitt moved that SB 1669 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.  The motion carried with a record vote of 10 ayes, 0 nay, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent. 

 

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

 

Senator Averitt resumed the chair. 

 

The subcommittee report on SB 825 was laid out by Senator Estes.  Senator Estes was recognized to explain the subcommittee report on SB 825.  Senator Estes then moved adoption of the subcommittee report; there being no objection, it was so ordered.  

 

Senator Estes moved that SB 825 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.  The motion carried with a record vote of 9 ayes, 0 nay, 0 present not voting, and 2 absent. 

 

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

 

The subcommittee report on SB 1128 was laid out by Senator Estes.  Senator Estes was recognized to explain the subcommittee report on SB 1128.  Senator Estes then moved adoption of the subcommittee report; there being no objection, it was so ordered.

 

Senator Estes moved that SB 1128 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.  The motion carried with a record vote of 9 ayes, 0 nay, 0 present not voting, and 2 absent.   

 

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

 

The subcommittee report on SB 1339 was laid out by Senator Estes. 

 

Senator Estes sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Estes to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed.  Senator Estes moved adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

Senator Estes moved that SB 1339 do not pass but that CSSB 1339 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 nay, 0 present not voting, and 3 absent. 

 

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

 

The subcommittee report on SB 1440 was laid out by Senator Estes.  Senator Estes was recognized to explain the subcommittee report on SB 1440.  Senator Estes then moved adoption of the subcommittee report; there being no objection, it was so ordered. 

 

Senator Estes moved that SB 1440 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.  The motion carried with a record vote of 9 ayes, 0 nay, 0 present not voting, and 2 absent. 

 

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

 

The chair laid out SB 1881 and recognized the author, Senator Williams, to explain the bill. 

 

Senator Hinojosa sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Williams to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed.  Senator Hinojosa moved adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

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. 

 

Senator Averitt moved that SB 1881 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair laid out pending business SB 747 and recognized the author, Senator Watson, to explain the bill. 

 

Senator Eltife sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Watson to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed.  Senator Eltife moved adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

Senator Averitt moved that SB 747 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair laid out SB 1829 and recognized the author, Senator Jackson, to explain the bill. 

 

Senator Jackson sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Jackson to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed.  Senator Jackson moved adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

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

 

Senator Averitt moved that SB 1829 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair laid out SB 661 and recognized the author, Senator Wentworth, to explain the bill. 

 

 

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

 

Senator Averitt moved that SB 661 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair laid out SB 1245 and recognized the author, Senator Wentworth, 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. 

 

Senator Averitt moved that SB 1245 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair laid out SB 662 and recognized the author, Senator Wentworth, to explain the bill. 

 

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

 

Senator Averitt moved that SB 662 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair laid out SB 1983 and recognized the author, Senator Estes, to explain the bill. 

 

Senator Estes sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Estes 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. 

 

Senator Averitt moved that SB 1983 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair laid out SB 1317 and recognized the author, Senator Jackson, to explain the bill. 

 

Senator Jackson sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Jackson to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed.  Senator Jackson moved adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

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. 

 

Senator Averitt moved that SB 1317 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.   

 

The chair laid out SB 1691 and recognized the author, Senator Duncan, to explain the bill. 

 

Senator Duncan sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Duncan to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed.  Senator Duncan moved adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

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. 

 

Senator Averitt moved that SB 1691 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

Senator Estes assumed the chair. 

 

The chair laid out SB 997 and recognized the author, Senator Watson, to explain the bill. 

 

Senator Brimer sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Watson 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. 

 

Senator Estes moved that SB 997 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair laid out SB 2007 and recognized the author, Senator 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. 

 

Senator Estes moved that SB 2007 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

Senator Jackson assumed the chair. 

 

The chair laid out SB 1326 and recognized the author, Senator Estes, to explain the bill. 

 

Senator Estes sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Estes 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. 

 

Senator Jackson moved that SB 1326 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

Senator Averitt resumed the chair. 

 

The chair laid out SB 404 and recognized Senator Hinojosa, in the absence of the author, to explain the bill. 

 

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

 

Senator Averitt moved that SB 404 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair laid out SB 1953 and recognized the author, Senator Hegar, to explain the bill. 

 

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

 

Senator Averitt moved that SB 1953 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair laid out SB 1981 and recognized the author, Senator Hegar, to explain the bill. 

 

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

 

Senator Averitt moved that SB 1981 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair laid out pending business SB 1280 and recognized the author, Senator Van de Putte, to explain the bill.  Senator Van de Putte explained a possible committee substitute.  The committee substitute was neither sent up nor adopted.

 

Senator Averitt moved that SB 1280 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair laid out pending business SB 1281 and recognized the author, Senator Van de Putte, to explain the bill.  Senator Van de Putte explained a possible committee substitute.  The committee substitute was neither sent up nor adopted.

 

Senator Averitt moved that SB 1281 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair laid out pending business SB 1621 and recognized the author, Senator Van de Putte, to explain the bill.  Senator Van de Putte explained a possible committee substitute.  The committee substitute was neither sent up nor adopted.

 

Senator Averitt moved that SB 1621 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

Senator Duncan assumed the chair. 

 

The chair laid out SB 1855 and recognized Senator Hinojosa, in the absence of the author, to explain the bill. 

 

Senator Hinojosa sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Hinojosa 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. 

 

Senator Duncan moved that SB 1855 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

Senator Seliger assumed the chair. 

 

The chair laid out SB 1785 and recognized the author, Senator Averitt, 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 laid out SB 1924 and recognized Senator Hinojosa, in the absence of the author, 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. 

 

Senator Seliger moved that SB 1924 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

Senator Duncan assumed the chair. 

 

The chair laid out SB 2001 and recognized the author, Senator Averitt, 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. 

 

Senator Seliger assumed the chair. 

 

Senator Seliger moved that SB 2001 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

There being no further business, Senator Seliger moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of the chair.  Without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

 

 

 

 

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Senator Kip Averitt, Chair

 

 

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Teddy Carter, Clerk