MINUTES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE, WATER & RURAL AFFAIRS

Monday, March 20, 2017

2:00 PM or upon adjournment

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 Agriculture, Water & Rural Affairs was held on Monday, March 20, 2017, in the Capitol Extension, Room E1.012, at Austin, Texas.

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MEMBERS PRESENT:	MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Charles Perry, Chair	None
Senator José Rodríguez, Vice Chair
Senator Brandon Creighton
Senator Bob Hall
Senator Juan Hinojosa
Senator Lois Kolkhorst
Senator Borris Miles

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The chair called the meeting to order at 4:08 PM. There being a quorum present at 4:12 pm, the following business was transacted:

The following members arrived after the roll was called:

Senator Brandon Creighton

Senator Juan Hinojosa

Senator Borris Miles

Senator José Rodríguez

The chair laid out SB 248 and recognized the author, Senator Schwertner, to explain the bill.

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

Senator Hall moved that SB 248 do not pass but that CSSB 248 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, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent. Senators Rodriguez, Hinojosa, and Miles submitted motions in writing requesting unanimous consent to be shown voting aye on CSSB 248; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 726 and recognized the author, Senator Seliger, 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 Hall moved that SB 726 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, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent. Senators Rodriguez, Hinojosa, and Miles submitted motions in writing requesting unanimous consent to be shown voting aye on SB 726; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Perry moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 546 and recognized the author, Senator Kolkhorst, to explain the bill.

Senator Hall sent up a committee substitute.  The chair recognized Senator Kolkhorst 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 Creighton moved adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Hall moved that SB 546 do not pass but that CSSB 546 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, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent. Senators Rodriguez, Hinojosa, and Miles submitted motions in writing requesting unanimous consent to be shown voting aye on CSSB 546; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Perry moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

At 4:42 PM Senator Kolkhorst assumed the chair.

The chair laid out SB 864 and recognized the author, Senator Perry, 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 Hall moved that SB 864 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, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent. Senators Rodriguez, Hinojosa, and Miles submitted motions in writing requesting unanimous consent to be shown voting aye on SB 864; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Kolkhorst moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 1172 and recognized the author, Senator Perry, 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 Kolkhorst moved that SB 1172 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

At 5:36 PM Senator Perry resumed the chair.

There being no further business, at 5:36 PM Senator Rodríguez moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of the chair. Without objection, it was so ordered.

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Senator Charles Perry, Chair

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Lauren Murray, Clerk