MINUTES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE, RURAL AFFAIRS & HOMELAND SECURITY

Monday, April 29, 2013

2:30 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 & Homeland Security was held on Monday, April 29, 2013, in the Capitol Extension, Room E1.012, at Austin, Texas.

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MEMBERS PRESENT:	MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Craig Estes, Chair	None
Senator Carlos Uresti, Vice Chair
Senator Glenn Hegar
Senator Juan Hinojosa
Senator Charles Schwertner

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The chair called the meeting to order at 4:30 PM. There being a quorum present, the following business was transacted:

The chair laid out HB 1521 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Nichols, 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 1521 be left pending to await a quorum; without objection, it was so ordered. Upon arrival of a quorum, Senator Uresti moved that HB 1521 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 5 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent. Senator Carlos Uresti moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 1441 and recognized the author, Senator Lucio, 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 1441 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out HB 1818 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Deuell, to explain the bill. Senator Estes sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Deuell to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the house bill as engrossed. Senator Uresti moved adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. 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 Uresti moved that HB 1818 do not pass but that CSHB 1818 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 5 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 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 HB 597 and recognized Senator Schwertner, in the absence of the Senate sponsor, 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 Uresti moved that HB 597 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 5 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 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 HB 1493 and recognized the Senate sponsor, 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 Hegar moved that HB 1493 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 5 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.

The chair laid out SB 989 and recognized the author, Senator Hegar, to explain the bill. Senator Estes 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 Estes moved adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Estes moved that CSSB 989 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

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Senator Craig Estes, Chair

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Gretchen Essell, Clerk