MINUTES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Wednesday, April 12, 2023

8:30 AM

Capitol Extension, Room E1.012

*****

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 12, 2023, in the Capitol Extension, Room E1.012, at Austin, Texas.

*****

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

*****

The chair called the meeting to order at 8:30 AM. The following business was transacted. A quorum was established at 8:41 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, and Senator Borris Miles.

The chair laid out SB 1837 and recognized the author, Senator Hinojosa, to explain the bill.

Witnesses registered 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 1837 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 720 and recognized the author, Senator Paxton, to explain the bill.

Senator Hancock sent up a committee substitute.  The chair recognized Senator Paxton 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 720 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 606 and recognized the author, Senator Springer, to explain the bill.

Witnesses registered 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 606 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 1940 and recognized the author, 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.

Senator Birdwell moved that SB 1940 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 150 and recognized the author, Senator Springer, to explain the bill.

Senator Blanco sent up a committee substitute.  The chair recognized Senator Springer 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 150 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 813 and recognized the author, Senator Miles, 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 813 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 1529 and recognized the author, Senator Miles, to explain the bill.

Senator Miles sent up a committee substitute.  The chair recognized Senator Miles 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 1529 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 2325 and recognized the author, 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.

Senator Birdwell moved that SB 2325 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 1985 and recognized Senator Sparks, in the absence of the author, to explain the bill.

Senator Sparks sent up a committee substitute.  The chair recognized Senator Sparks 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 1985 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 1050 and recognized Senator Sparks, in the absence of the author, to explain the bill.

Senator Sparks sent up a committee substitute.  The chair recognized Senator Sparks 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 1050 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 1809 and recognized the author, Senator Sparks, to explain the bill.

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

Senator Birdwell moved that SB 1809 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

At 10:21 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 3:21 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 Kolkhorst, Senator Sparks, Senator Zaffirini. The following business was transacted:

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 2057.

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

Senator Zaffirini moved that SB 2057 do not pass but that CSSB 2057 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 Hancock and Miles submitted a motion in writing requesting to be shown voting aye on SB 2057.

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 627.

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

Senator Zaffirini moved that SB 627 do not pass but that CSSB 627 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 Hancock and Miles submitted a motion in writing requesting to be shown voting aye on SB 627.

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 2196.

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

Senator Zaffirini moved that SB 2196 do not pass but that CSSB 2196 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 Hancock and Miles submitted a motion in writing requesting to be shown voting aye on SB 2196.

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 543.

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

Senator Blanco moved that SB 543 do not pass but that CSSB 543 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 7 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 2 absent. Senator Miles submitted a motion in writing requesting to be shown voting aye on SB 543.

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 1809.

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

Senator Sparks moved that SB 1809 do not pass but that CSSB 1809 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 7 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 2 absent. Senator Miles submitted a motion in writing requesting to be shown voting aye on SB 1809.

Senator Sparks 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 1520.

Senator Zaffirini moved that SB 1520 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 Hancock and Miles submitted a motion in writing requesting to be shown voting aye on SB 1520.

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 1340.

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

Senator Zaffirini moved that SB 1340 do not pass but that CSSB 1340 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 Hancock and Miles submitted a motion in writing requesting to be shown voting aye on SB 1340.

Senator Zaffirini 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 3:28 PM Senator Birdwell moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of the chair. Without objection, it was so ordered.

__________________________________________

Senator Brian Birdwell, Chair

__________________________________________

David Estrada, Clerk