MINUTES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE, WATER & RURAL AFFAIRS

Monday, April 20, 2015

2:00 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, Water & Rural Affairs was held on Monday, April 20, 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 6:10 PM. There being a quorum present at 6:13 p.m., the following business was transacted:

The following members arrived after the roll was called:

Senator Bob Hall

Senator Juan Hinojosa

Senator Lois Kolkhorst

Senator Brandon Creighton

The chair laid out SB 2049 and recognized the author, Senator Nichols, to explain the bill.

A quorum was established at 6:13 p.m.

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 Zaffirini moved that SB 2049 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 Creighton and Hinojosa submitted motions in writing requesting to be shown voting aye on SB 2049.

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 1734 and recognized the author, Senator Uresti, 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 1734 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 Creighton submitted motion in writing requesting to be shown voting aye on SB 1734.

The chair laid out SB 1181 and recognized the author, Senator Huffines, to explain the bill.

Senator Zaffirini sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Huffines 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. 

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 1181 do not pass but that CSSB 1181 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 Rodriguez submitted motion in writing requesting to be shown voting aye on CSSB 1181.

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 963 and recognized the author, Senator Campbell, to explain the bill.

Senator Hall sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Campbell 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 Perry moved that SB 963 and CSSB 963 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 1440 and recognized the author, Senator Campbell, to explain the bill.

Senator Zaffirini sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Campbell 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 Perry moved that SB 1440 and CSSB 1440 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

The chair laid out SB 109 and recognized the author, Senator Taylor, Van, 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 109 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 1738 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. Senator Kolkhorst moved adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Creighton moved that SB 1738 do not pass but that CSSB 1738 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 Hall and Rodriguez submitted motions in writing requesting to be shown voting aye on CSSB 1738.

The chair laid out SB 854 and recognized the author, Senator Zaffirini, to explain the bill.

Senator Creighton sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Zaffirini 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 Hall moved that SB 854 do not pass but that CSSB 854 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 Rodriguez submitted motion in writing requesting to be shown voting aye on CSSB 854.

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

At 8:09 PM Senator Zaffirini assumed the chair.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 1907 and recognized the author, Senator Perry, to explain the bill.

Senator Zaffirini moved that SB 1907 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, 1 nay, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.

At 8:23 PM Senator Perry resumed the chair.

The chair laid out SB 1360 and recognized the author, Senator Kolkhorst, to explain the bill.

Senator Hall sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Kolkhorst 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.

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 1360 do not pass but that CSSB 1360 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 Rodriguez submitted motion in writing requesting to be shown voting aye on CSSB 1360.

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

At 8:27 PM Senator Zaffirini assumed the chair.

The chair laid out SB 1909 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 Perry moved that SB 1909 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

At 8:42 PM Senator Perry resumed the chair.

There being no further business, at 8:42 PM Senator Hall 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