MINUTES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES

Tuesday, April 16, 2013

8:30 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 16, 2013, 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 Rodney Ellis
Senator Kevin Eltife
Senator Glenn Hegar
Senator Juan Hinojosa
Senator Robert Nichols
Senator Kel Seliger
Senator Carlos Uresti

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The chair called the meeting to order at 8:34 AM. There being a quorum present, the following business was transacted:

Senator Estes assumed the chair.

The chair laid out HB 4 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Fraser, to explain the bill. The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 4 and recognized the author, Senator Fraser, to explain the bill.  Senator Fraser sent up a committee substitute to HB 4; the chair recognized Senator Fraser to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the house bill as engrossed. Senator Fraser sent up a committee substitute to SB 4; the chair recognized Senator Fraser to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed. Senator Fraser sent up Committee Amendment 1 and explained the amendment. Senator Fraser sent up Committee Amendment 2 and explained the amendment. Sentor Estes moved to limit testimony to 3 minutes; without objection, it was so ordered. Witnesses testifying and registering on HB 4 and SB 4 are shown on the attached list. The chair moved that the public testimony be closed on HB 4 and SB 4; without objection, it was so ordered.  Senator Fraser moved adoption of the committee substitute to HB 4; without objection, it was so ordered.  Senator Fraser moved that HB 4 do not pass but that CSHB 4 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 Fraser then moved adoption of the committee substitute to SB 4; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Fraser moved that SB 4 do not pass but that CSSB 4 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 Fraser resumed the chair.

The chair laid out SB 1284 and recognized the author, Senator Schwertner, to explain the bill.

Senator Estes sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Schwertner 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 committee substitute be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 1801 and recognized the author, Senator Watson, to explain the bill.

Senator Estes sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Watson 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 committee substitute be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

At 10:59 AM Senator Fraser moved that the Committee stand recessed until 15 minutes after adjournment of the Senate. Without objection, it was so ordered.

At 1:55 PM Senator Fraser reconvened the meeting.

The chair laid out SB 1612 and recognized the author, Senator Zaffirini, 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 1612 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 Chairman read Motions in Writing requesting unanimous consent to be shown voting aye submitted by the following:  Senator Hinojosa on CSHB 4 and CSSB 4; Senator Seliger on CSHB 4 and CSSB 4. These votes are votes are reflected in the final votes on the aforementioned bills.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 1801. Senator Estes sent up Committee Amendment 1 and the chair explained the amendment. Senator Estes moved adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Estes then moved adoption of the amendment; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Estes requested unanimous consent to incorporate the amendment into the bill to create a new committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Estes then moved that the committee substitute be adopted; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Estes moved that SB 1801 do not pass but that CSSB 1801 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 Estes 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 as a matter of pending business SB 957 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. Senator Fraser sent up Committee Amendment 1 and explained the amendment. Senator Estes reopened public testimony; without objection, it was so ordered. 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 adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.  Senator Fraser moved adoption of the amendment; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Fraser requested unanimous consent to incorporate the amendment into the bill to create a new committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Fraser then moved that the committee substitute be adopted; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Fraser moved that SB 957 do not pass but that CSSB 957 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 6 ayes, 3 nays, 0 present not voting, and 2 absent.

Senator Fraser resumed the chair.

The Chairman read Motions in Writing requesting unanimous consent to be shown voting aye submitted by the following: Senator Ellis on CSSB 4, CSHB 4, SB 1612, and CSSB 1801; Senator Duncan on SB 1612 and CSSB 1801; Senator Uresti on CSHB 4, CSSB 4, SB 1612, and CSSB 1801. These votes are votes are reflected in the final votes on the aforementioned bills.

There being no further business, at 2:35 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