MINUTES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE, WATER & RURAL AFFAIRS

Monday, March 30, 2015

2:00 PM or upon adjournment

Capitol Extension, Room E1.012

*****

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 30, 2015, in the Capitol Extension, Room E1.012, at Austin, Texas.

*****

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

*****

The chair called the meeting to order at 5:32 PM. There being a quorum present, the following business was transacted:

The following members arrived after the roll was called:

Senator Bob Hall

Senator Juan Hinojosa

Senator José Rodríguez

The chair laid out SB 363 and recognized Senator Craig Estes, in the absence of the author, to explain the bill.

Senator Zaffirini sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Estes to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed. Senator Zaffirini moved adoption of the committee substitute; 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 Hall moved that SB 363 do not pass but that CSSB 363 be reported back 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 Rodriguez and Hinojosa submitted motions in writing requesting to be shown voting aye on CSSB 363.

Senator Kolkhorst 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 523 and recognized the author, Senator Brian Birdwell, to explain the bill.

Senator Hall sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Brian Birdwell to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed. Senator Creighton moved adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. 

Senator Zaffirini moved that SB 523 do not pass but that CSSB 523 be reported back 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 Rodriguez and Hinojosa submitted motions in writing requesting to be shown voting aye on CSSB 523.

The chair laid out SB 413 and recognized the author, Senator Seliger, to explain the bill.

Senator Perry sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Seliger to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed. Senator Zaffirini 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 Hall moved that SB 413 do not pass but that CSSB 413 be reported back 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 Rodriguez and Hinojosa submitted motions in writing requesting to be shown voting aye on CSSB 413.

The chair laid out SB 912 and recognized the author, Senator Eltife, to explain the bill.

Senator Perry sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Eltife to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed. Senator Hall moved adoption of the committee substitute; 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 Creighton moved that SB 912 do not pass but that CSSB 912 be reported back 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. Senator Hinojosa submitted motion in writing requesting to be shown voting aye on CSSB 912.

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

The chair laid out SB 1101 and recognized the author, Senator Eltife, 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 Hall moved that SB 1101 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, 1 present not voting, and 0 absent.

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

The chair laid out SB 1099 and recognized the author, Senator Estes, to explain the bill.

Senator Hall sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Estes to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed. Senator Kolkhorst moved adoption of the committee substitute; 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 Creighton moved that SB 1099 do not pass but that CSSB 1099 be reported back 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.

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

The chair laid out SB 1459 and recognized the author, Senator Bettencourt, 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 Kolkhorst moved that SB 1459 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.

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

The chair laid out SB 1051 and recognized the author, Senator Kolkhorst, 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 Creighton moved that SB 1051 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.

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

The chair laid out SB 928 and recognized Senator Zaffirini, 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 Kolkhorst moved that SB 928 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.

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

The chair laid out SB 855 and recognized the author, Senator Zaffirini, 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 Rodríguez moved that SB 855 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.

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

At 6:39 PM Senator Zaffirini assumed the chair.

The chair laid out SB 1301 and recognized the author, Senator Perry, 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 Perry moved that SB 1301 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.

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 1336 and recognized the author, Senator Perry, to explain the bill.

Senator Perry sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Perry to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed. Senator Perry moved adoption of the committee substitute; 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 Perry moved that SB 1336 do not pass but that CSSB 1336 be reported back 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.

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 1337 and recognized the author, Senator Perry, to explain the bill.

Senator Perry sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Perry to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed. Senator Perry 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 Perry moved that SB 1337 do not pass but that CSSB 1337 be reported back 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.

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 1339 and recognized the author, Senator Perry, to explain the bill. 

Senator Perry sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Perry to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed. Senator Perry moved adoption of the committee substitute; 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 Perry moved that SB 1339 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.

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

At 6:58 PM Senator Perry resumed the chair.

The chair laid out SB 1137 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 SB 1137 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.

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

The chair laid out SB 1204 and recognized the author, Senator Rodríguez, 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 Hall moved that SB 1204 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.

Senator Kolkhorst 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 521 and recognized, Senator Kolkhorst.

Senator Kolkhorst sent up Committee Amendment 1 and moved adoption. There being no objection, it was so ordered. 

Senator Hall moved that SB 521, as amended, be reported back 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.

There being no further business, at 7:18 PM Senator Perry moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of the chair. Without objection, it was so ordered.

__________________________________________

Senator Charles Perry, Chair

__________________________________________

Lauren Murray, Clerk