MINUTES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Wednesday, April 5, 2023

8:30 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, April 5, 2023, in the Capitol Extension, Room E1.012, at Austin, Texas.

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MEMBERS PRESENT:	MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Brian Birdwell, Chair	None
Senator Judith Zaffirini, Vice Chair
Senator Carol Alvarado
Senator César Blanco
Senator Kelly Hancock
Senator Bryan Hughes
Senator Lois Kolkhorst
Senator Borris Miles
Senator Kevin Sparks

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The chair called the meeting to order at 8:30 AM. The following business was transacted. A quorum was established at 9:15 AM.

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

The chair laid out SB 2057 and recognized the author, Senator Hinojosa, to explain the bill.

Senator Alvarado sent up a committee substitute.

The chair recognized Senator Hinojosa 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 2057 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 627 and recognized the author, Senator Menéndez, to explain the bill.

Senator Alvarado sent up a committee substitute.  The chair recognized Senator Menendez 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 627 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 1397 and recognized the author, Senator Schwertner, to explain the bill.

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

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

The chair laid out SB 1398 and recognized the author, Senator Schwertner, to explain the bill.

Senator Alvarado 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 1398 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 1399 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 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 1399 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 1451 and recognized the author, Senator Zaffirini, to explain the bill.

Senator Zaffirini sent up a committee substitute.  The chair recognized Senator Zaffirini 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 1451 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 1340 and recognized the author, Senator Zaffirini, to explain the bill.

Senator Zaffirini sent up a committee substitute.  The chair recognized Senator Zaffirini 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 1340 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 2196 and recognized the author, Senator Hancock, to explain the bill.

Senator Hancock sent up a committee substitute.  The chair recognized Senator Hancock 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 2196 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 1809 and recognized the author, Senator Sparks, to explain the bill.

Senator Sparks sent up a committee substitute. The chair moved to pull down 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 Birdwell moved that SB 1809 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 1520 and recognized Senator Zaffirini, 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 1520 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Zaffirini assumed the chair at 9:37 AM.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business 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 between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed.

Senator Zaffirini moved that SB 785 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 786 and recognized the author, Senator Birdwell, to explain the bill.

The chair recognized Senator Birdwell to explain the fiscal note

Senator Zaffirini moved that SB 786 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 1419 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 1419 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

At 10:34 AM Senator Birdwell resumed the chair.

The chair laid out SB 543 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 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 543 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

At 10:43 AM Senator Birdwell moved that the Committee stand recessed; without objection, it was so ordered.

Pursuant to a motion made by Senator Birdwell on the Senate floor to suspend the posting rules, Senate Rules 11.10 and 11.18, the Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Economic Development reconvened in the Senate Press Room, 2E.9, at 4:03 PM.

Senator Birdwell called the meeting to order, the roll was called and the following members were present: Senator Birdwell, Senator Alvarado, Senator Blanco, Senator Hancock, Senator Hughes, Senator Kolkhorst, Senator Sparks. The following business was transacted:

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 1057.

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

Senator Hancock moved that SB 1057 do not pass but that CSSB 1057 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. Senators Alvarado, Zaffirini and Miles submitted a motion in writing requesting to be shown voting aye on SB 1057.

Senator Hancock 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 558.

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

Senator Hughes moved that SB 558 do not pass but that CSSB 558 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 6 ayes, 2 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent. Senators Zaffirini and Miles submitted a motion in writing requesting to be shown voting nay on SB 558.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 1158.

Senator Hughes moved that SB 1158 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. Senators Alvarado, Zaffirini and Miles submitted a motion in writing requesting to be shown voting aye on SB 1158.

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 1186.

Senator Hughes moved that SB 1186 do not pass but that CSSB 1186 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. Senators Alvarado, Zaffirini and Miles submitted a motion in writing requesting to be shown voting aye on SB 1186.

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.

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

Senator Blanco moved that SB 1210 do not pass but that CSSB 1210 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. Senators Zaffirini and Miles submitted a motion in writing requesting to be shown voting aye on SB 1210.

Senator Blanco 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 1397.

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

Senator Hancock moved that SB 1397 do not pass but that CSSB 1397 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. Senators Zaffirini and Miles submitted a motion in writing requesting to be shown voting aye on SB 1397.

Senator Hancock 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 874 and recognized the author, Senator West, to explain the bill.

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

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

Senator Hancock moved that SB 874 do not pass but that CSSB 874 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. Senators Zaffirini and Miles submitted a motion in writing requesting to be shown voting aye on SB 874.

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

At 4:12 PM Senator Hughes assumed the chair.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business 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 between the 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 785 do not pass but that CSSB 785 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. Senators Zaffirini and Miles submitted a motion in writing requesting to be shown voting aye on SB 785.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 786.

Senator Birdwell moved that SB 786 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. Senators Zaffirini and Miles submitted a motion in writing requesting to be shown voting aye on SB 1057.

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

At 4:16 PM Senator Birdwell resumed the chair.

There being no further business, at 4:17 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