MINUTES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES

Tuesday, April 12, 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, April 12, 2011, in the Capitol Extension, Room E1.012, at Austin, Texas.

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MEMBERS PRESENT:	MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Troy Fraser, Chair	Senator Juan Hinojosa
Senator Craig Estes, Vice Chair
Senator Bob Deuell
Senator Robert Duncan
Senator Kevin Eltife
Senator Glenn Hegar
Senator Mike Jackson
Senator Robert Nichols
Senator Kel Seliger
Senator Carlos Uresti

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The chair called the meeting to order at 9:03 AM. The following business was transacted:

The chair laid out SB 1293 and recognized the author, Senator Hegar, to explain the bill. Senator Hegar sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Hegar 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 Fraser moved that SB 1293 be left pending to await a quorum; without objection, it was so ordered. Upon arrival of a quorum,

Senator Hegar moved adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Hegar moved that SB 1293 do not pass but that CSSB 1293 be reported back 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 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 1295 and recognized the author, Senator Hegar, 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 Fraser moved that SB 1295 be left pending to await a quorum; without objection, it was so ordered. Upon arrival of a quorum, Senator Hegar moved that SB 1295 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 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 1296 and recognized the author, Senator Hegar, 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 Fraser moved that SB 1296 be left pending to await a quorum; without objection, it was so ordered. Upon arrival of a quorum, Senator Hegar moved that SB 1296 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 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 1478 and recognized the author, Senator Hegar, to explain the bill. Senator Hegar sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Hegar 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 Fraser moved that SB 1478 be left pending to await a quorum; without objection, it was so ordered. Upon arrival of a quorum,

Senator Hegar moved adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Hegar moved that SB 1478 do not pass but that CSSB 1478 be reported back 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 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 1250 and recognized the author, Senator Lucio, to explain the bill. Senator Estes sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Lucio 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 Fraser moved that SB 1250 be left pending to await a quorum; without objection, it was so ordered. Upon arrival of a quorum,

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

Senator Estes moved that SB 1250 do not pass but that CSSB 1250 be reported back 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.

The chair laid out SB 555 and recognized the author, Senator Watson, to explain the bill.

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

At 9:14 AM the roll was called. A quorum was present.

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

Senator Fraser moved that SB 555 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 635 and recognized the author, Senator Nichols, to explain the bill. Senator Nichols moved that SB 635 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, 1 nay, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 636 and recognized the author, Senator Nichols, to explain the bill. Senator Nichols moved that SB 636 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.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 1290 and recognized the author, Senator Hegar, to explain the bill. Senator Hegar sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Hegar to explain 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 moved that SB 1290 do not pass but that CSSB 1290 be reported back 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 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 1225 and recognized the author, Senator Hegar, to explain the bill. Senator Hegar sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Hegar to explain 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 moved that SB 1225 do not pass but that CSSB 1225 be reported back 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 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 1515 and recognized the author, Senator Deuell, 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 1515 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chairman read Motions in Writing requesting unanimous consent to be shown voting aye submitted by the following: Senator Seliger on SB 635, SB 636, CSSB 1293, SB 1295, SB 1296, CSSB 1478, CSSB 1250, CSSB 1290, and CSSB 1225; Senator Jackson on SB 636 and SB 635; Senator Duncan on SB 635, SB 636, CSSB 1293, SB 1296, CSSB 1478, CSSB 1250, CSSB 1290, CSSB 1225; Senator Uresti on CSSB 1293, SB 1295, SB 1296, CSSB 1478, CSSB 1250, CSSB 1290, and CSSB 1225. These votes are reflected in the final votes on the aforementioned bills.

The chair laid out SB 1471 and recognized Senator Hegar, in the absence of the author, 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 Fraser moved that SB 1471 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

At 10:58 AM Senator Fraser moved that the Committee stand recessed until 40 minutes after adjournment of the Senate. Without objection, it was so ordered.

At 12:45 PM Senator Fraser reconvened the meeting.

Senator Seliger assumed the chair.

The chair laid out SB 1741 and recognized the author, Senator Fraser, to explain the bill.

Senator Seliger moved to limit testimony to 3 minutes; without objection, it was so ordred.

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.

At 1:48 PM Senator Seliger moved that the Committee stand in recess for a few minutes. Without objection, it was so ordered.

At 1:51 PM the Committee came back to order.

Senator Fraser moved that SB 1741 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 7 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 4 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 Chairman read Motions in Writing requesting unanimous consent to be shown voting aye submitted by the following: Senator Estes on SB 636; Senator Duncan on SB 1741. These votes are reflected in the final votes on the aforementioned bills.

The Chairman read Motions in Writing requesting unanimous consent to be shown voting nay submitted by the following: Senator Estes on SB 635. This vote is reflected in the final vote on the aforementioned bill.

There being no further business, at 1:53 PM Senator Fraser 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