MINUTES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE, WATER & RURAL AFFAIRS

Monday, March 16, 2015

2:00 PM or 30 minutes 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, Water & Rural Affairs was held on Monday, March 16, 2015, in the Capitol Extension, Room E1.012, at Austin, Texas.

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MEMBERS PRESENT:	MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Charles Perry, Chair	None
Senator Judith Zaffirini, Vice Chair
Senator Brandon Creighton
Senator Bob Hall
Senator Juan Hinojosa
Senator Lois Kolkhorst
Senator José Rodríguez

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The chair called the meeting to order at 6:08 PM. There being a quorum present at 6:12 p.m., the following business was transacted:

The following members arrived after the roll was called:

Senator Brandon Creighton

Senator Bob Hall

Senator Juan Hinojosa

Senator Lois Kolkhorst

Senator José Rodríguez

The chair laid out SB 551 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 Rodríguez moved that SB 551 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 0 absent. Senators Creighton and Zaffirini submitted motions in writing to be shown voting aye on SB 551.

Senator Perry moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 289 and recognized the author, Senator Estes, 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 Perry moved that SB 289 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 6 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent. Senators Hinojosa and Zaffirini submitted motions in writing to be shown voting aye on SB 289.

The chair laid out SJR 22 and recognized the author, Senator Creighton, 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 Kolkhorst moved that SJR 22 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 2 absent. Senator Hinojosa submitted a motion in writing to be shown voting aye on SJR 22.

At 7:27 PM Senator Kolkhorst assumed the chair.

The chair laid out SB 394 and recognized the author, Senator Perry, to explain the bill.

Senator Creighton sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Perry 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 Kolkhorst moved that the committee substitute be withdrawn; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Kolkhorst moved that SB 394 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 505 and recognized the author, Senator Perry, 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 Kolkhorst moved that SB 505 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

At 8:08 PM Senator Perry resumed the chair.

There being no further business, at 8:09 PM Senator Perry moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of the chair. Without objection, it was so ordered.

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Senator Charles Perry, Chair

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Lauren Murray, Clerk