MINUTES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Tuesday, March 31, 2015

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 & Economic Development was held on Tuesday, March 31, 2015, in the Capitol Extension, Room E1.012, at Austin, Texas.

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MEMBERS PRESENT:	MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Troy Fraser, Chair	Senator Eddie Lucio, Jr.
Senator Craig Estes, Vice Chair
Senator Brian Birdwell
Senator Bob Hall
Senator Kelly Hancock
Senator Juan Hinojosa
Senator Robert Nichols
Senator Kel Seliger
Senator Carlos Uresti
Senator Judith Zaffirini

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The chair called the meeting to order at 9:00 AM. There being a quorum present, the following business was transacted:

Senator Estes assumed the chair.

The chair laid out SB 898 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 Zaffirini moved that SB 898 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, 3 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.

The chair laid out SJR 39 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 SJR 39 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, 3 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.

The chair laid out SB 709 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. Senator Fraser moved to limit testimony to two minutes; without objection, it was so ordered. 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 that SB 709 do not pass but that CSSB 709 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.

Senator Fraser resumed the chair.

At 11:00 AM Senator Fraser moved that the Committee stand recessed 20 minutes until after adjournment of the Senate. Without objection, it was so ordered. 

At 2:20 PM Senator Fraser reconvened the meeting.

The chair appointed Senator Estes as chair of a subcommittee and Senators Hall and Zaffirini as members of the subcommittee. The chair referred SB 208 to the subcommittee for further consideration.

The chair laid out SB 911 and recognized the author, Senator Zaffirini, to explain the bill.

Senator Zaffirini sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Zaffirini 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 Zaffirini moved adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Zaffirini moved that SB 911 do not pass but that CSSB 911 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.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 603, and explained the bill in the absence of the author. Senator Birdwell moved that SB 603 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 10 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent. Senator Birdwell moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 12 and recognized the author, Senator Uresti, to explain the bill.

Senator Uresti sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Uresti 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 Uresti moved adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.  Senator Uresti moved that SB 12 do not pass but that CSSB 12 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.

Motions in Writing requesting unanimous consent to be shown voting aye were submitted by the following: Senator Hinojosa on SB 898, SJR 39, CSSB 911, CSSB 12, and SB 603; Senator Hall on SB 603; Senator Seliger on CSSB 709, CSSB 911, SB 603, and CSSB 12. These votes are reflected in the final votes on the aforementioned bills.

A Motion in Writing requesting unanimous consent to be shown voting nay was submitted by the following: Senator Hall on SB 898 and SJR 39. These votes are reflected in the final vote on the aforementioned bills.

There being no further business, at 3:48 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