MINUTES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON WATER, AGRICULTURE & RURAL AFFAIRS

Monday, March 22, 2021

8:00 AM

Capitol Extension, Room E1.016

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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 Water, Agriculture & Rural Affairs was held on Monday, March 22, 2021, in the Capitol Extension, Room E1.016, at Austin, Texas.

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MEMBERS PRESENT:	MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Charles Perry, Chair	Senator Lois Kolkhorst
Senator Drew Springer, Vice Chair
Senator Brandon Creighton
Senator Sarah Eckhardt
Senator Roland Gutierrez
Senator Nathan Johnson
Senator Beverly Powell
Senator Larry Taylor

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The chair called the meeting to order at 8:00 AM. There being a quorum present, the following business was transacted:

The following members arrived after the roll was called:

Senator Larry Taylor

Senator Brandon Creighton

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

The chair laid out SB 705 and recognized the author, Senator Lucio, 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 Perry moved that SB 705 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 675 and recognized Senator Springer, in the absence of the author, 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 Perry moved that SB 675 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

At 8:35 AM Senator Springer assumed the chair.

The chair laid out SB 152 and recognized the author, Senator Perry, to explain the bill.

Senator Perry sent up a committee substitute.  The chair recognized Senator Perry to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed.  Senator Perry moved  the adoption of the committee substitute; 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 Perry moved that CSSB 152 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 599 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 Perry moved that SB 599 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 601 and recognized the author, Senator Perry, to explain the bill.

Senator Perry sent up a committee substitute.  The chair recognized Senator Perry to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed.  Senator Perry moved that the adoption of the committee substitute; 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 Perry moved that CSSB 601 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

At 10:00 AM Senator Perry resumed the chair.

As a matter of pending business, the Chair laid out anew SB 705. Senator Perry moved that SB 705 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 8 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.

As a matter of pending business, the Chair laid out anew SB 705. Senator Perry moved that SB 675 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 8 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.

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

At 10:02 AM Senator Springer assumed the chair.

As a matter of pending business, the Chair laid out anew CSSB 152. Senator Springer moved that SB 152 do not pass but that CSSB 152 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 8 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.

As a matter of pending business, the Chair laid out anew SB 599. Senator Springer moved that SB 599 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 8 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.

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

As a matter of pending business, the chair laid out anew CSSB 601. Senator Perry moved that SB 601 do not pass but that CSSB 601 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 8 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.

At 10:03 AM Senator Perry resumed the chair.

There being no further business, at 10:04 AM Senator Perry 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