MINUTES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Thursday, June 13, 2024

10:00 AM

Capitol Extension, Room E1.028

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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 Thursday, June 13, 2024, in the Capitol Extension, Room E1.028, at Austin, Texas.

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

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The chair called the meeting to order at 10:00 AM. There being a quorum present at 10:14 AM, the following business was transacted:

The following members arrived after the roll was called:

Senator Carol Alvarado

Senator Bryan Hughes

Senator Lois Kolkhorst

The chair laid out the following committee charge:

• Preserving Texas History: Review the historical site district designation and how such designations contribute to cultural preservation, tourism, and community identity. Report on what impact this historical designation would have on property values, site preservation, and educational opportunities within certain districts including, but not limited to, the San Jacinto Battlefield, the Alamo complex, Washington-on-the-Brazos, and Goliad.

The following individuals provided invited testimony. (See attached witness list)

Texas Historical Commission

John Nau, Chairman

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department

Rodney Franklin, Director of State Parks

General Land Office

Jeff Gordon, General Counsel

City of San Antonio

Lori Houston, Deputy City Manager

The following individuals provided public testimony. (See attached witness list)

The chair laid out the following committee charge:

• Protecting Local Taxpayers: Examine current use and imposition of local option hotel occupancy taxes. Makes recommendations to enhance accountability and increase transparency in the use of these funds.

The following individuals provided invited testimony. (See attached witness list)

Texas Comptroller of Pubic Accounts

Will Counihan, Director, Data Analysis and Transparency

Texas Hotel and Lodging Association (THLA)

Justin Bragiel, General Counsel

Texas Travel Alliance

Amanda Garcia, Chief Public Affairs Officer

Texans for the Arts

Fiona Bond, Board Chair

The following individuals provided public testimony. (See attached witness list)

The chair laid out the following committee charge:

• Overcoming Federal Incompetence: Consider the impact to the Texas economy from federal interference including, but not limited to, restricting liquified natural gas exports, supply chain limitations, a net-zero carbon agenda, and other air emission provisions. Report on what impact these federal interferences will have on the Texas economy and workforce, and make recommendations to minimize the damage to Texas.

The following individuals provided invited testimony. (See attached witness list)

Panel One: State Agencies

Attorney General’s Office

James Lloyd, Deputy Attorney General for Civil Litigation

Texas Commission on Environmental Quality

Jon Niermann, Chairman

Kelly Keel, Executive Director

Railroad Commission

The Honorable Wayne Christian, Commissioner

General Land Office

Mark Havens, Deputy Land Commissioner

Panel Two: Industry Stakeholders

Texas Oil and Gas Association (TXOGA)

The Honorable Todd Staples, President

Texas Independent Producers and Royalty Owners Association (TIPRO)

Ed Longanecker, President

Texas Association of Manufacturers (TAM)

Tony Bennett, President

Texas Alliance of Energy Producers

Karr Ingham, Interim President

The following individuals provided public testimony. (See attached witness list)

There being no further business, at 4:35 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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Jennifer Trevino, Clerk