MINUTES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Tuesday, April 28, 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 28, 2015, in the Capitol Extension, Room E1.012, at Austin, Texas.

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MEMBERS PRESENT:	MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Troy Fraser, Chair	None
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 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:

The chair laid out SB 1389 and recognized the author, Senator Lucio, to explain the bill.

Senator Lucio, Jr. sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Lucio, Jr. 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.  Senator Lucio, Jr. moved adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Lucio, Jr. moved that SB 1389 do not pass but that CSSB 1389 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, 1 nay, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.

The chair laid out SB 208 which was considered by the subcommittee on April 16, 2015. Senator Nichols sent up the committee substitute that was discussed at the subcommittee hearing. Senator Zaffirini was recognized to discuss Committee Amendment 1 to SB 208, sunset bill, that Senator Zaffirini intends to offer as a floor amendment to SB 208.  Senator Zaffirini moved to withdraw Committee Amendment 1; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Zaffirini was recognized to discuss Committee Amendment 2 to SB 208, sunset bill, that Senator Zaffirini intends to offer as a floor amendment to SB 208.  Senator Zaffirini moved to withdraw Committee Amendment 2; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Zaffirini was recognized to discuss Committee Amendment 3 to SB 208, sunset bill, that Senator Zaffirini intends to offer as a floor amendment to SB 208.  Senator Zaffirini moved to withdraw Committee Amendment 3; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Estes was recognized to discuss Committee Amendment 4 to SB 208, sunset bill, that Senator Estes intends to offer as a floor amendment to SB 208.  Senator Estes moved to withdraw Committee Amendment 4; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Hancock moved adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Hancock moved that SB 208 do not pass but that CSSB 208 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, 4 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.

The chair laid out SB 1894 and recognized the author, Senator Garcia, to explain the bill.

Senator Estes sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Garcia to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed. Senator Fraser moved that testimony be limited to two 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 that SB 1894 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 1951 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. 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 1951 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 708 and recognized the author, Senator Garcia, to explain the bill.

Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached list. Senator Fraser moved that SB 708 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

At 10:54 AM Senator Fraser moved that the Committee stand recessed until 15 minutes after adjournment of the Senate. Without objection, it was so ordered.

At 5:07 PM Senator Hancock assumed the chair and reconvened the meeting.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 708 and recognized the author, Senator Garcia, to explain the bill. The chair moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Hancock moved that SB 708 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Nichols assumed the chair.

The chair laid out SB 1509 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 testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached list.

Senator Fraser resumed the chair.

The chair moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Hancock moved adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Hancock moved that SB 1509 do not pass but that CSSB 1509 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 SB 513 and recognized Senator Hancock, in the absence of the author, 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 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 513 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

Motions in Writing requesting unanimous consent to be shown voting aye were submitted by the following: Senator Seliger on CSSB 1389 and CSSB 1509; Senator Hinojosa on CSSB 1389 and CSSB 1509; Senator Lucio on CSSB 1509. 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 Seliger on CSSB 208. This vote is reflected in the final vote on the aforementioned bill.

There being no further business, at 6:08 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