MINUTES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Tuesday, May 5, 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, May 5, 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 9:05 AM. There being a quorum present, the following business was transacted:

The chair laid out HB 931 and recognized the Senate sponsor, 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 Zaffirini moved that HB 931 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 Zaffirini moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SCR 27 and recognized the author, Senator Hancock, to explain the bill. Senator Fraser moved to limit testimony 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 SCR 27 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 1894 and recognized the author, Senator Garcia, to explain the bill. Senator Estes moved to withdraw the committee substitute sent up at a previous hearing; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Estes sent up a new committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Garcia 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. Senator Zaffirini moved that SB 1894 do not pass but that CSSB 1894 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. 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 HB 1606 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Hinojosa, 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 Hinojosa moved that HB 1606 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 Hinojosa moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out HB 908 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Estes, to explain the bill. There were no witnesses registered on the bill. The chair moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Estes moved that HB 908 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 Estes moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Hancock moved to withdraw the hearing request for HB 639; without objection, it was so ordered.

Motions in Writing requesting unanimous consent to be shown voting aye were submitted by the following: Senator Estes on HB 931; Senator Hinojosa on HB 931; Senator Birdwell on HB 908, HB 931, and HB 1606; Senator Uresti on CSSB 1894 and HB 908; Senator Lucio on CSSB 1894, HB 931, HB 1606, and HB 908; Senator Hall on HB 1606 and CSSB 1894. These votes are reflected in the final votes on the aforementioned bills.

There being no further business, at 10:03 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