MINUTES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Wednesday, March 29, 2023

9:00 AM

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 Natural Resources & Economic Development was held on Wednesday, March 29, 2023, in the Capitol Extension, Room E1.012, at Austin, Texas.

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MEMBERS PRESENT:	MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Brian Birdwell, Chair
Senator Judith Zaffirini, Vice Chair
Senator Carol Alvarado
Senator César Blanco
Senator Kelly Hancock
Senator Bryan Hughes
Senator Borris Miles
Senator Kevin Sparks Senator Lois Kolkhorst

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The chair called the meeting to order at 9:02 AM. There being a quorum present, the following business was transacted: A quorum was established at 9:32 AM.

The following members arrived after the roll was called: Senator Judith Zaffirini, Senator Carol Alvarado, Senator Kelly Hancock, Senator Bryan Hughes, Senator Borris Miles, Senator Kevin Sparks, Senator Lois Kolkhorst

The chair laid out SB 1057 and recognized the author, Senator Whitmire, to explain the bill.

Senator Blanco sent up a committee substitute. The chair recognized Senator Whitmire to explain the difference 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 1057 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 1158 and recognized the author, Senator Whitmire, 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 1158 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 874 and recognized the author, Senator West, 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 874 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 1397 and recognized the author, Senator Schwertner, to explain the bill.

Senator Hancock 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 Birdwell moved that SB 1397 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 2107 and recognized the author, Senator Nichols, to explain the bill.

Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached list.

At 11: 00 AM the chair moved that the Committee stand recess. Without objection, it was so ordered.

At 4:26 PM Senator Birdwell reconvened the meeting.

Public testimony resumed on SB 2107.

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

Senator Birdwell moved that SB 2107 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 558 and recognized the author, Senator Hughes, to explain the bill.

Senator Hughes sent up a committee substitute.  The chair recognized Senator Hughes 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 558 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 712 and recognized Senator Sparks, 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 Birdwell moved that SB 712 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 1186 and recognized the author, Senator Hughes, to explain the bill.

Senator Zaffirini sent up a committee substitute.  The chair recognized Senator Hughes 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 1186 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 501.

Senator Hughes moved that SB 501 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. Senators Blanco, Miles, and Sparks submitted a motion in writing requesting to be shown voting aye on SB 501.

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

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 502.

Senator Hughes moved that SB 502 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. Senators Blanco, Miles, and Sparks submitted a motion in writing requesting to be shown voting aye on SB 502.

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

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 604.

Senator Zaffirini moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Zaffirini moved that SB 604 do not pass but that CSSB 604 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. Senators Blanco, Miles, and Sparks submitted a motion in writing requesting to be shown voting aye on CSSB 604.

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

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 667.

Senator Zaffirini moved that SB 667 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. Senators Blanco, Miles, and Sparks submitted a motion in writing requesting to be shown voting aye on SB 667.

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

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SCR 13.

Senator Zaffirini moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Zaffirini moved that SCR 13 do not pass but that CSSCR 13 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. Senators Blanco, Miles, and Sparks submitted a motion in writing requesting to be shown voting aye on CSSCR 13.

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

At 6:43 PM Senator Zaffirini assumed the chair.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 1167 and recognized the author, Senator Birdwell.

Senator Birdwell sent up a new committee substitute.  The chair recognized Senator Birdwell to explain the difference between the new committee substitute and the senate bill as filed.  Senator Birdwell moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Birdwell moved that SB 1167 do not pass but that CSSB 1167 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. Senators Miles, and Sparks submitted a motion in writing requesting to be shown voting aye on CSSB 1167.

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

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 1420 and recognized the author, Senator Birdwell.

Senator Birdwell sent up a new committee substitute.  The chair recognized Senator Birdwell to explain the difference between the new committee substitute and the senate bill as filed.

Senator Birdwell moved the adoption of the new committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Birdwell moved that SB 1420 do not pass but that CSSB 1420 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. Senators Miles, and Sparks submitted a motion in writing requesting to be shown voting aye on CSSB 1420.

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

At 6:48 PM Senator Birdwell resumed the chair.

The chair laid out SB 1210 and recognized the author, Senator Blanco, to explain the bill.

Senator Blanco sent up a committee substitute. The chair recognized Senator Blanco to explain the difference 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 1210 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

At 6:55 PM Senator Zaffirini assumed the chair.

The chair laid out SB 785 and recognized the author, Senator Birdwell, to explain the bill.

Senator Birdwell sent up a committee substitute. The chair recognized Senator Birdwell to explain the difference 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 Zaffirini moved that SB 785 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 786 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 786 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

At 7:14 PM Senator Birdwell resumed the chair.

There being no further business, at 7:15 PM 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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David Estrada, Clerk