MINUTES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Tuesday, May 12, 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 12, 2015, in the Capitol Extension, Room E1.012, at Austin, Texas.

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MEMBERS PRESENT:		MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Troy Fraser, Chair		Senator Brian Birdwell
Senator Craig Estes, Vice Chair
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. The following business was transacted:

The chair laid out HB 426 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Schwertner, 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 Fraser moved that HB 426 be left pending to await a quorum; without objection, it was so ordered. Upon arrival of a quorum, Senator Estes moved that HB 426 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.

The chair laid out HB 3291 and recognized the Senate sponsor, 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 house bill as engrossed. Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached list.

At 9:17 AM the roll was called. A quorum was present.

The chair moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Fraser moved HB 3291 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Estes assumed the chair.

The chair laid out HB 1736 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Fraser, 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 HB 1736 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, 1 nay, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.

Senator Fraser resumed the chair.

The chair laid out HB 2244 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Creighton, 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 Estes moved that HB 2244 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.

The chair laid out HB 2207 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Eltife, 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 Estes moved that HB 2207 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.

The chair laid out HB 2667 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Eltife, 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 Estes moved that HB 2667 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.

The chair laid out HB 1251 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator West, to explain the bill.

Senator Estes sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator West to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the house bill as engrossed. 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 Estes moved adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Estes moved that HB 1251 do not pass but that CSHB 1251 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 Estes moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out HB 497 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Uresti, 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 Uresti moved that HB 497 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 Uresti moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out HB 1794 and recognized the Senate sponsor, 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 house bill as engrossed.

Senator Hancock moved that HB 1794 do not pass but that CSHB 1794 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 Hancock moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Hancock assumed the chair.

The chair laid out HB 1331 and recognized the Senate sponsor, 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 HB 1331 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 Fraser moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Fraser resumed the chair.

Motions in Writing requesting unanimous consent to be shown voting aye were submitted by the following: Senator Zaffirini on HB 497, HB 2207, HB 2667, HB 1331, and CSHB 1251; Senator Estes on HB 497, CSHB 1794, and HB 1331; Senator Seliger on CSHB 1251, HB 426, HB 1736, HB 2244, HB 2207, HB 2667, and HB 1331; Senator Hinojosa on HB 426, HB 1736, and HB 2244; Senator Lucio on HB 1736, HB 2244, HB 426, HB 2207, HB 2667, CSHB 1251, HB 497, and CSHB 1794. These votes are reflected in the final votes on the aforementioned bills.

There was no action taken for the following bills:

HB 590

HJR 64

There being no further business, at 10:45 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