MINUTES

 

SENATE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

9:00 AM

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 Natural Resources was held on Tuesday, March 8, 2011, in the Capitol Extension, Room E1.012, at Austin, Texas.

 

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MEMBERS PRESENT:		MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Troy Fraser, Chair		None
Senator Craig Estes, Vice Chair
Senator Bob Deuell
Senator Robert Duncan
Senator Kevin Eltife
Senator Glenn Hegar
Senator Juan Hinojosa
Senator Mike Jackson
Senator Robert Nichols
Senator Kel Seliger
Senator Carlos Uresti

 

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The chair called the meeting to order at 9:01 AM.  The following business was transacted:

 

The chair laid out SB 160 and recognized the author, Senator Williams, to explain the bill.

Senator Nichols sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Williams to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed. 

 

At 9:12 AM the roll was called.  A quorum was present.

 

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 adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Estes moved that SB 160 do not pass but that CSSB 160 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 11 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 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 292 and recognized the author, 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 Duncan moved that SB 292 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 11 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.  Senator Duncan moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out SB 312 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 Seliger moved that SB 312 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 11 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 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 313 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 Fraser moved that SB 313 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out SB 370 and recognized the author, Senator Seliger, to explain the bill.  There were no witnesses registered on the bill.  The chair moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered.  Senator Seliger moved that SB 370 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 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 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 408 and recognized the author, Senator Estes, to explain the bill.

Witnesses 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 408 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 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 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 433 and recognized the author, Senator Hegar, to explain the bill.

 

Senator Estes assumed the chair.

 

Witnesses 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 433 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out SB 448 and recognized the author, Senator Hegar, to explain the bill.

 

Senator Fraser resumed the chair.

 

Witnesses 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 Fraser moved that SB 448 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out SB 433, pending business, and recognized the author, Senator Hegar.

Senator Hegar moved that SB 433 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 11 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent. Senator Hegar 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 SB 333 and recognized the author, Senator Fraser, 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 Fraser moved that SB 333 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 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent. Senator Fraser moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out SB 360 and recognized the author, Senator Fraser, 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 Fraser moved that SB 360 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 nays, 0 present not voting, and 2 absent.  Senator Fraser moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out SB 527 and recognized the author, Senator Fraser, to explain the bill.

Senator Fraser sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Fraser 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 Seliger assumed the chair.

 

Senator Fraser moved adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Fraser moved that SB 527 do not pass but that CSSB 527 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 nays, 0 present not voting, and 2 absent.  Senator Fraser moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

Senator Fraser resumed the chair.

 

The chair laid out SB 271 and SB 341 together and recognized the author, Senator Uresti, to explain the bills. Senator Uresti sent up a committee substitute on SB 271; the chair recognized Senator Uresti to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed.  Senator Uresti sent up a committee substitute on SB 341; the chair recognized Senator Uresti to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed.

 

Senator Fraser moved to limit public testimony to 3 minutes.  Without objection, it was so ordered.  Witnesses testifying and registering on the bills are shown on the attached list.

 

The Chairman read Motions in Writing requesting unanimous consent to be shown voting aye submitted by the following: Senator Deuell on CSSB 160, SB 292, SB 312, SB 370, SB 408, SB 433, SB 333, and CSSB 527; Senator Jackson on CSSB 160, SB 292, SB 312, SB 370, SB 408, SB 433, SB 333, and CSSB 527; Senator Estes on CSSB 527; Senator Hinojosa on SB 433, SB 333, and SB 360.  These votes are reflected in the final votes on the aforementioned bills.

 

At 10:55 AM  Senator Fraser moved that the committee stand recessed until 30 minutes after the adjournment of the Senate; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

At 12:30 PM Senator Fraser reconvened the committee hearing.

 

Witness testimony continued  on SB 271 and SB 341.

 

Senator Estes assumed the chair.

 

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

Senator Estes moved that SB 271 and SB 341 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

There being no further business, at 2:13 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 Troy Fraser, Chair

 

 

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Tatum Reagan, Clerk