MINUTES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Thursday, March 18, 2021

9:00 AM

Senate Chamber

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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 Thursday, March 18, 2021, in the Senate Chamber.

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MEMBERS PRESENT:	MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Brian Birdwell, Chair	Senator Kel Seliger
Senator Judith Zaffirini, Vice Chair
Senator Carol Alvarado
Senator Kelly Hancock
Senator Juan Hinojosa
Senator Bryan Hughes
Senator Lois Kolkhorst
Senator Eddie Lucio, Jr.

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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 following members arrived after the roll was called: Senators Hughes and Lucio, Jr.

Senator Zaffirini moved adoption of the committee rules. There being no objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 291 and recognized the author, Senator Schwertner, to explain the bill.

Senator Zaffirini 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 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 Birdwell moved that SB 291 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 297 and recognized the author, Senator Perry, 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 Birdwell moved that SB 297 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 43 and recognized the author, Senator Zaffirini, 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 Birdwell moved that SB 43 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 244 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 Birdwell moved that SB 244 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 44 and recognized the author, Senator Zaffirini, 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 Birdwell moved that SB 44 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 211 and recognized the author, Senator Zaffirini, 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 Birdwell moved that SB 211 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 367 and recognized Senator Alvarado, 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 Birdwell moved that SB 367 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 518 and recognized the author, Senator Kolkhorst, to explain the bill.

Senator Kolkhorst 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 Birdwell moved that SB 518 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

At 10:24 AM Senator Zaffirini assumed the chair.

The chair laid out SB 13 and recognized the author, Senator Birdwell, 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 SB 13 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

At 10:45 AM Senator Birdwell resumed the chair.

There being no further business, at 10:46 AM Senator Birdwell moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of the chair. Without objection, it was so ordered.

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Senator Brian Birdwell, Chair

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Clinton Harned, Clerk