MINUTES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Friday, May 12, 2023

8:30 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 Natural Resources & Economic Development was held on Friday, May 12, 2023, in the Capitol Extension, Room E1.016, at Austin, Texas.

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

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The chair called the meeting to order at 8:30 AM. There being a quorum present, the following business was transacted:

The chair laid out HB 2719 and recognized the Senate sponsor, 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 house bill as engrossed.

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

Senator Zaffirini moved that HB 2719 do not pass but that CSHB 2719 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 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 HB 1515 in lieu of SB 1940.

Senator Zaffirini sent up a committee substitute. The chair recognized Senator Springer to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the house bill as engrossed. Senator Zaffirini moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Zaffirini moved that HB 1515 do not pass but that CSHB 1515 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.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business HB 1034.

Senator Zaffirini sent up a committee substitute. The chair recognized Senator Parker to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the house bill as engrossed. Senator Zaffirini moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Zaffirini moved that HB 1034 do not pass but that CSHB 1034 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, 0 nays, 1 present not voting, and 2 absent.

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 HB 1950.

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

Senator Hancock moved that HB 1950 do not pass but that CSHB 1950 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, 0 nays, 1 present not voting, and 2 absent.

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 HB 5311 in lieu of SB 2606.

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

Senator Zaffirini moved that HB 5311 do not pass but that CSHB 5311 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 5 ayes, 1 nay, 1 present not voting, and 2 absent.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business HB 2497.

Senator Zaffirini moved that HB 2497 be reported favorably 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 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 HB 1689.

Senator Zaffirini moved that HB 1689 be reported favorably 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 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 HB 2416.

Senator Alvarado sent up a committee substitute. Senator Alvarado moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Alvarado moved that HB 2416 do not pass but that CSHB 2416 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 Alvarado moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair moved to reconsider the vote by which HB 2416 was recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; with no objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair moved that HB 2416 be sent to the floor; with no objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business HB 1615.

Senator Zaffirini moved that HB 1615 be reported favorably 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 Hancock submitted a motion writing requesting to be shown voting aye on HB 1615. Senator Kolkhorst submitted a motion in writing requesting to be shown voting aye on HB 1615.

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 HB 2353.

Senator Zaffirini moved that HB 2353 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 6 ayes, 0 nays, 1 present not voting, and 2 absent. Senator Hancock submitted a motion in writing requesting to be shown present not voting on HB 2353. Senator Kolkhorst submitted a motion in writing requesting to be shown voting aye on HB 2353.

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 8:54 AM 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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Jennifer Trevino, Clerk