MINUTES

 

SENATE COMMITTEE ON WATER, AGRICULTURE & RURAL AFFAIRS

Tuesday, May 18, 2021

8:00 AM

Betty King Committee Room

 

*****

 

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 Tuesday, May 18, 2021, in the Betty King Committee Room at Austin, Texas.

 

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MEMBERS PRESENT:		MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Charles Perry, Chair		None
Senator Drew Springer, Vice Chair
Senator Brandon Creighton
Senator Sarah Eckhardt
Senator Roland Gutierrez
Senator Nathan Johnson
Senator Lois Kolkhorst
Senator Beverly Powell
Senator Larry Taylor

 

*****

 

The chair called the meeting to order at 8:00 AM. There being a quorum present at 8:15 AM, the following business was transacted:

 

The following members arrived after the roll was called:

Senator Drew Springer

Senator Beverly Powell

Senator Nathan Johnson

Senator Sarah Eckhardt

Senator Lois Kolkhorst

Senator Brandon Creighton

Senator Roland Gutierrez

 

The chair laid out HB 3476 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Bettencourt, to explain the bill.

 

The chair sent up a committee substitute.  The chair recognized Senator Bettencourt to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the house bill as engrossed.  The chair 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.

 

The chair moved that HB 3476 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out HB 4621 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Juan Hinojosa, 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.

 

The chair moved that HB 4621 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

Senator Springer assumed the chair.

 

The chair laid out HB 2667 and recognized the Senate sponsor, 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 house bill as engrossed.  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.

 

The chair moved that HB 2667 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out HB 3516 and recognized the Senate sponsor, 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.

 

The chair moved that HB 3516 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out HB 2238 and recognized the Senate sponsor, 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.

 

The chair moved that HB 2238 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

Senator Perry resumed the chair.

 

The chair laid out HB 2148 and recognized the Senate sponsor, 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 house bill as engrossed.  Senator Kolkhorst moved that the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

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.

 

The chair moved that HB 2148 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out HB 2951 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Kolkhorst, 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.

 

The chair moved that HB 2951 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out HB 3522 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Kolkhorst, 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.

 

The chair moved that HB 3522 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out HB 3600 and recognized the Senate sponsor, 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 house bill as engrossed.  Senator Kolkhorst moved that the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

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.

 

The chair moved that HB 3600 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out HB 1480 and recognized the Senate sponsor, 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 house bill as engrossed.  Senator Kolkhorst moved that the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

No witnesses testified or registered on the bill.

 

The chair moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair moved that HB 1480 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

Senator Springer resumed the chair.

 

The chair laid out HB 2225 and recognized the Senate sponsor, 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.

 

The chair moved that HB 2225 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out HB 4204 and recognized the Senate sponsor, 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.

 

The chair moved that HB 4204 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

Senator Gutierrez assumed the chair.

 

The chair laid out HB 2450 and recognized Senator Springer, in the absence of the Senate sponsor, Senator Huffman, to explain the bill.

 

No witnesses testified or registered on the bill.

 

The chair moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair moved that HB 2450 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out HB 4296 and recognized Senator Springer, in the absence of the Senate sponsor, Senator Nichols, 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.

 

The chair moved that HB 4296 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out HB 3387 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Springer, 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.

 

The chair moved that HB 3387 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

Senator Springer assumed the chair.

 

There being no further business, at 9:44 AM Senator Springer moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of the chair. Without objection, it was so ordered.

 

Senator Perry reconvened the meeting.

 

Senator Springer resumed the chair.

 

The chair laid out HB 3948 and recognized the Senate sponsor, 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 house bill as engrossed.  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.

 

The chair moved that HB 3948 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

As a matter of pending business, the chair laid out anew HB 2667.

 

The chair moved that HB 2667 do not pass but that CSHB 2667 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 0 absent.  Senator Creighton submitted motion in writing requesting unanimous consent to be shown voting aye on CSHB 2667; without objection it was so ordered.

 

As a matter of pending business, the chair laid out anew HB 2238.

 

The chair moved that HB 2238 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 0 absent. Senator Creighton submitted motion in writing requesting unanimous consent to be shown voting aye on HB 2238; without objection it was so ordered.

 

The chair 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 HB 3516.

 

The chair moved that HB 3516 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 0 absent. Senator Creighton submitted motion in writing requesting unanimous consent to be shown voting aye on HB 3516; without objection it was so ordered.

 

The chair 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 HB 3948.

 

The chair moved that HB 3948 do not pass but that CSHB 3948 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.

 

Senator Perry resumed the chair.

 

As a matter of pending business, the chair laid out anew HB 2225.

 

The chair moved that HB 2225 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 0 absent. Senator Creighton submitted motion in writing requesting unanimous consent to be shown voting aye on HB 2225; without objection it was so ordered.

 

The chair 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 HB 4204.

 

The chair moved that HB 4204 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 0 absent. Senator Creighton submitted motion in writing requesting unanimous consent to be shown voting aye on HB 4204; without objection it was so ordered.

 

The chair 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 HB 4454.

 

The chair moved that HB 4454 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 0 absent. Senator Creighton submitted motion in writing requesting unanimous consent to be shown voting aye on HB 4454; without objection it was so ordered.

 

The chair 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 HB 2450.

 

The chair moved that HB 2450 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 0 absent. Senator Creighton submitted motion in writing requesting unanimous consent to be shown voting aye on HB 2450; without objection it was so ordered.

 

The chair 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 HB 4296.

 

The chair moved that HB 4296 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 0 absent. Senator Creighton submitted motion in writing requesting unanimous consent to be shown voting aye on HB 4296; without objection it was so ordered.

 

The chair 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 HB 2951.

 

The chair moved that HB 2951 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 0 absent. Senator Creighton submitted motion in writing requesting unanimous consent to be shown voting aye on HB 2951; without objection it was so ordered.

 

The chair 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 HB 3476.

 

The chair that HB 3476 do not pass but that CSHB 3476 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, 1 nay, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent. Senator Creighton and Senator Johnson submitted motions in writing requesting unanimous consent to be shown voting aye on CSHB 3476; without objection it was so ordered.

 

As a matter of pending business, the chair laid out anew HB 4621.

 

The chair moved that HB 4621 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 0 absent. Senator Creighton submitted motion in writing requesting unanimous consent to be shown voting aye on HB 4621; without objection it was so ordered.

 

The chair 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 HB 3387.

 

The chair moved that HB 3387 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 0 absent. Senator Creighton submitted motion in writing requesting unanimous consent to be shown voting aye on HB 3387; without objection it was so ordered.

 

The chair 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 HB 3522.

 

The chair moved that HB 3522 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 0 absent. Senator Creighton submitted motion in writing requesting unanimous consent to be shown voting aye on HB 3522; without objection it was so ordered.

 

The chair 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 HB 2148.

 

Senator Kolkhorst moved that HB 2148 do not pass but that CSHB 2148 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 0 absent. Senator Creighton and Senator Taylor submitted motions in writing requesting unanimous consent to be shown voting aye on HB 2148; without objection it was so ordered.

 

The chair 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 HB 3600.

 

Senator Kolkhorst moved that HB 3600 do not pass but that CSHB 3600 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 0 absent. Senator Creighton and Senator Taylor submitted motions in writing requesting unanimous consent to be shown voting aye on HB 3600; without objection it was so ordered.

 

The chair 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 HB 671.

 

The chair moved that HB 671 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 0 absent. Senator Creighton and Senator Powell submitted motions in writing requesting unanimous consent to be shown voting aye on HB 671; without objection it was so ordered.

 

The chair 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 HB 1480.

 

The chair moved that HB 1480 do not pass but that CSHB 1480 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 0 absent. Senator Creighton, Senator Taylor and Senator Powell submitted motions in writing requesting unanimous consent to be shown voting aye on HB 1480; without objection it was so ordered.

 

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

 

There being no further business, at 3:48 PM Senator Springer moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of the chair. Without objection, it was so ordered.

 

 

 

 

__________________________________________

Senator Charles Perry, Chair

 

 

__________________________________________

Lauren Murray, Clerk