MINUTES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON WATER, AGRICULTURE & RURAL AFFAIRS

Wednesday, November 16, 2022

10:00 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 Wednesday, November 16, 2022, in the Capitol Extension, Room E1.016, at Austin, Texas.

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

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The chair called the meeting to order at 10:05 AM. The following business was transacted:

The chair made opening remarks. The committee heard invited and public testimony on the following interim charges:

Update on the drought: Heard a brief update on drought and where the state stands before moving onto the charges.

Monitoring: make recommendations for any legislation needed to improve, enhance, or complete implementation of the following bills: Senate bill 8, Senate bill 601, Senate bill 905, House bill 3516.

Groundwater Management and Protection: evaluate the status and effectiveness of the State’s groundwater management process, including data used to support regional water planning and conservation goals.

GEORGE WHITTA provided verbal testimony on the following interim charge, Groundwater Management and Protection, but did not register.

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

There being no further business, at 3:17 PM 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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Morgan McCullough, Clerk