MINUTES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Tuesday, April 21, 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, April 21, 2015, in the Capitol Extension, Room E1.012, at Austin, Texas.

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

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The chair called the meeting to order at 9:00 AM. The following business was transacted:

The chair laid out SB 1343 and recognized the author, Senator Huffines, 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 SB 1343 be left pending to await a quorum; without objection, it was so ordered. Upon arrival of a quorum, Senator Hall moved that SB 1343 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 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 612 and recognized the author, Senator Burton, 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 SB 612 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 1666 and recognized the author, Senator Hancock, to explain the bill.

Senator Hancock sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Hancock to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed. 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.

At 9:23 AM the roll was called. A quorum was present.

Senator Hancock moved adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.  Senator Hancock moved that SB 1666 do not pass but that CSSB 1666 be reported back 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 Hancock moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 1398 and recognized the author, Senator Hall, to explain the bill.

Senator Hall sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Hall to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed. Senator Fraser moved to limit testimony to 3 minutes; 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 SB 1398 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SCR 32 and recognized the author, Senator Bettencourt, 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 SCR 32 be left pending to await a quorum; without objection, it was so ordered. Upon arrival of a quorum, Senator Birdwell moved that SCR 32 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 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 829 and recognized Senator Birdwell, in the absence of the author, 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 SB 829 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 1444, and recognized Senator Hancock in the absence of the author. Senator Hancock moved that SB 1444 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, 1 nay, 0 present not voting, and 3 absent.

Motions in Writing requesting unanimous consent to be shown voting aye were submitted by the following: Senator Lucio on SB 1343 and CSSB 1666; Senator Uresti on SCR 32; Senator Estes on SB 1444 and SCR 32; Senator Birdwell on CSSB 1666 and SB 1343; Senator Zaffirini on CSSB 1666, SB 1343, and SCR 32; Senator Nichols on SB 1343 and CSSB 1666. These votes are reflected in the final votes on the aforementioned bills.

Motions in Writing requesting unanimous consent to be shown voting nay were submitted by the following: Senator Uresti on SB 1444. This vote is reflected in the final vote on the aforementioned bill.

There being no further business, at 10:53 AM 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