MINUTES

 

SENATE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES

Thursday, May 17, 2007

8:00 a.m.

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 Thursday, May 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 Kevin Eltife

Senator Glenn Hegar

Senator Juan Hinojosa

Senator Mike Jackson

Senator Kel Seliger

Senator Carlos Uresti

 

Senator Robert Duncan

 

 

*****

 

The chair called the meeting to order at 8:01 a.m.  There being a quorum present, the following business was transacted: 

 

Senator Estes assumed the chair. 

 

The chair laid out HB 3929 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Averitt, to explain the bill. 

 

Senator Averitt sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the house bill as engrossed. 

 

Senator Averitt withdrew the committee substitute.

 

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

 

Senator Averitt moved that HB 3929 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair laid out HB 2714 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Watson, 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 HB 2714 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair laid out HB 3070 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Watson, to explain the bill. 

 

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

 

Senator Estes moved that HB 3070 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair laid out HB 1334 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Eltife, 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 HB 1334 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

Senator Averitt resumed the chair. 

 

The chair laid out HB 2482 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Estes, to explain the bill. 

 

Senator Estes sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized  to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the house bill as engrossed.  Senator Estes 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 HB 2482 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair laid out HB 521 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Fraser, to explain the bill. 

 

Senator Estes sent up Committee Amendment 1 and moved adoption; without objection, the amendment was adopted. 

 

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

 

Senator Averitt moved that HB 521 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair laid out HB 2368 and recognized the Senate sponsor, 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 HB 2368 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair laid out HB 3770 and recognized the Senate sponsor, 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 HB 3770 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair laid out HB 4029 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Hegar, to explain the bill. 

 

Senator Hegar sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized  to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the house bill as engrossed.  Senator Hegar 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 HB 4029 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair laid out HB 1526 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Seliger, to explain the bill. 

 

Senator Seliger sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized  to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the house bill as engrossed.  Senator Seliger 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 HB 1526 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair laid out HB 4111 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Seliger, to explain the bill. 

 

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

 

Senator Averitt moved that HB 4111 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair laid out HB 3438 and recognized Senator Hinojosa, in the absence of the Senate sponsor, to explain the bill. 

 

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

 

Senator Averitt moved that HB 3438 be left pending; 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 HB 3438 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair laid out HB 4067 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Zaffirini, to explain the bill. 

 

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

 

Senator Averitt moved that HB 4067 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair laid out HB 4009 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Uresti, to explain the bill. 

 

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

 

Senator Averitt moved that HB 4009 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair laid out HB 4070 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Jackson, to explain the bill. 

 

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

 

Senator Averitt moved that HB 4070 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair laid out HB 3980 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Jackson, to explain the bill. 

 

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

 

Senator Averitt moved that HB 3980 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair laid out HB 2070 and recognized Senator Hegar, in the absence of the Senate sponsor, to explain the bill. 

 

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

 

Senator Averitt moved that HB 2070 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair laid out HB 3559 and recognized Senator Hinojosa, in the absence of the Senate sponsor, to explain the bill. 

 

Senator Hinojosa sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized  to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the house bill as engrossed.  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 Averitt moved that HB 3559 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

Senator Averitt moved that the committee stand recessed until after adjournment of the Senate; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

At 6:43 p.m. the committee reconvened. 

 

Senator Jackson assumed the chair. 

 

The chair laid out HB 2654 and recognized Senator Uresti, in the absence of the Senate sponsor, to explain the bill. 

 

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

 

Senator Jackson moved that HB 2654 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair laid out HB 1032 and recognized Senator Uresti, in the absence of the Senate sponsor, to explain the bill. 

 

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

 

Senator Jackson moved that HB 1032 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair laid out HB 2108 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Uresti, to explain the bill. 

 

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

 

Senator Jackson moved that HB 2108 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair laid out HB 2892 and recognized Senator Uresti, in the absence of the Senate sponsor, to explain the bill. 

 

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

 

Senator Jackson moved that HB 2892 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair laid out HB 3475 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Uresti, to explain the bill. 

 

Senator Uresti sent up Committee Amendment 1 and moved adoption; without objection, the amendment was adopted. 

 

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 HB 3475 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair laid out HB 1391 and recognized Senator Estes, in the absence of the Senate sponsor, to explain the bill. 

 

Senator Estes sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized  to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the house bill as engrossed.  Senator Estes 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 Jackson moved that HB 1391 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair laid out HB 4038 and recognized Senator Estes, in the absence of the Senate sponsor, to explain the bill. 

 

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

 

Senator Jackson moved that HB 4038 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair laid out HB 1920 and recognized Senator Estes, in the absence of the Senate sponsor, 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 Jackson moved that HB 1920 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

Senator Jackson moved that the committee stand recessed until 7:25 p.m; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

At 7:25 p.m. the committee reconvened. 

 

Senator Estes assumed the chair. 

 

The chair laid out HB 2655 and recognized the Senate sponsor, 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 Estes moved that HB 2655 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair laid out HB 2713 and recognized the Senate sponsor, 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 Estes moved that HB 2713 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair laid out HB 1235 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Averitt, to explain the bill. 

 

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

 

Senator Estes moved that HB 1235 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair laid out HB 3481 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Averitt, to explain the bill. 

 

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

 

Senator Estes moved that HB 3481 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair laid out HB 3769 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Averitt, to explain the bill. 

 

Senator Averitt sent up Committee Amendment 1 and moved adoption; without objection, the amendment was adopted. 

 

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

 

Senator Estes moved that HB 3769 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair laid out HB 3017 and recognized the Senate sponsor, 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 Estes moved that HB 3017 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair laid out HB 1656 and recognized the Senate sponsor, 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 Estes moved that HB 1656 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

Senator Averitt resumed the chair. 

 

The chair laid out HB 971 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Uresti, to explain the bill.

 

Senator Jackson assumed the chair. 

 

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 HB 971 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair laid out HB 1309 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Seliger, 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 Jackson moved that HB 1309 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

Senator Averitt resumed the chair. 

 

The chair laid out HB 3960 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Jackson, to explain the bill. 

 

Senator Jackson sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized  to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the house bill as engrossed.  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 HB 3960 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair laid out HB 2541 and recognized Senator Jackson, in the absence of the Senate sponsor, to explain the bill. 

 

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

 

Senator Averitt moved that HB 2541 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

_____________________________

Senator Kip Averitt, Chair

 

 

_____________________________

Teddy Carter, Clerk