MINUTES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE & RURAL AFFAIRS

Monday, March 14, 2011

1:30 PM or upon adjournment

Capitol Extension, Room E1.012

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Pursuant to a notice posted in accordance with Senate Rule 11.10 and 11.18, a public hearing of the Senate Committee on Agriculture & Rural Affairs was held on Monday, March 14, 2011, in the Capitol Extension, Room E1.012, at Austin, Texas.

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MEMBERS PRESENT:	MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Craig Estes, Chair	Senator Juan Hinojosa
Senator Carlos Uresti, Vice Chair
Senator Glenn Hegar
Senator Mike Jackson

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The chair called the meeting to order at 2:20 PM. There being a quorum present, the following business was transacted:

At 2:21 PM Senator Uresti assumed the chair.

The chair laid out SB 766 as a matter of pending business 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 Jackson moved adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Jackson moved that SB 766 do not pass but that CSSB 766 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 3 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 2 absent.

At 2:24 PM Senator Estes resumed the chair.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 199 by Senator West.

Senator Uresti moved that SB 199 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.

The motion carried with a record vote of 3 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 2 absent.

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

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 387 by Senator Williams.

Senator Jackson moved that SB 387 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.

The motion carried with a record vote of 3 ayes, 0 nays, 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.

At 2:26 PM Senator Uresti assumed the chair.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 478 by Senator Estes.

Senator Jackson moved that SB 478 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.

The motion carried with a record vote of 3 ayes, 0 nays, 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 as a matter of pending business SB 479 by Senator Estes.

Senator Jackson moved that SB 479 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 3 ayes, 0 nays, 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.

At 2:28 PM Senator Estes resumed the chair.

The chair laid out SB 460 and recognized the author, 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 Estes moved that SB 460 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 498 and recognized the author, Senator Jackson, to explain the bill.

Senator Estes moved that SB 498 be pulled down from consideration; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Hegar arrived after the roll was called.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 390 by Senator Hegar.

Senator Jackson moved that SB 390 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.

The motion carried with a record vote of 3 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 2 absent.

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

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 248.

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

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

Senator Hegar requested unanimous consent to incorporate the amendments into a new committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Hegar then moved that the committee substitute be adopted; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Hegar moved that SB 248 do not pass but that CSSB 248 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 3 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 2 absent.

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

The chair laid out SB 498.

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

The chair laid out SB 499 and recognized the author, Senator Jackson, 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 499 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 252 and recognized the author, Senator Jackson, 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 252 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

There being no further business, at 4:55 PM Senator Estes moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of the chair. Without objection, it was so ordered.

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Senator Craig Estes, Chair

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Ashley Patton, Clerk