MINUTES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES

Tuesday, March 12, 2013

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 12, 2013, in the Capitol Extension, Room E1.012, at Austin, Texas.

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

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The chair called the meeting to order at 9:05 AM. The following business was transacted:

The chair laid out SB 375 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 Fraser moved that SB 375 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

At 9:29 AM  the roll was called.  A quorum was present.

The chair laid out SB 856 and recognized the author, Senator Rodríguez, 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 Estes moved that SB 856 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 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 454 and recognized the author, Senator Hegar, 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 Hegar moved that SB 454 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 885 and recognized the author, Senator Hinojosa, to explain the bill.

Senator Hinojosa sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Hinojosa 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 Hinojosa moved adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Hinojosa moved that SB 885 do not pass but that CSSB 885 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 Hinojosa moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 662 and recognized Senator Eltife, 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 Eltife moved that SB 662 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 Eltife moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 890 and recognized Senator Hegar, in the absence of the author, 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 Hegar moved that SB 890 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 819 and recognized the author, Senator Duncan, 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 819 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 Duncan 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 448 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 Estes moved that the committee substitute be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 901 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 901 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 as a matter of pending business SB 448 and recognized the author. Senator Fraser moved adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Fraser moved that SB 448 do not pass but that CSSB 448 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 8 ayes, 1 nay, 0 present not voting, and 2 absent.

The chair laid out SB 902 and recognized the author, Senator Fraser, 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 902 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.

Senator Fraser resumed the chair.

The Chairman read Motions in Writing requesting unanimous consent to be shown voting aye submitted by the following: Senator Seliger on SB 856, SB 454, SB 890, SB 819, SB 901, CSSB 448, and SB 902; Senator Estes on CSSB 885; Senator Duncan on SB 856, SB 454, CSSB 885, SB 662, SB 901, CSSB 448, and SB 902; Senator Ellis on SB 454, CSSB 885, SB 662, SB 890, and SB 819. These votes are reflected in the final votes on the aforementioned bills.

There being no further business, at 10:17 AM 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