MINUTES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON WATER, AGRICULTURE, & RURAL AFFAIRS

Monday, March 13, 2023

8:00 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 Water, Agriculture, & Rural Affairs was held on Monday, March 13, 2023, in the Capitol Extension, Room E1.012, at Austin, Texas.

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MEMBERS PRESENT:	MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Charles Perry, Chair	None
Senator Kelly Hancock, Vice Chair
Senator César Blanco
Senator Pete Flores
Senator Roland Gutierrez
Senator Nathan Johnson
Senator Lois Kolkhorst
Senator Kevin Sparks
Senator Drew Springer

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The chair called the meeting to order at 8:02 AM. There being a quorum present, the following business was transacted:

The following members arrived after the roll was called: Senator Gutierrez

Senator Hancock moved adoption of the committee rules. There being no objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 276 and recognized Senator Hancock, in the absence of the author, to explain the bill.

 No witnesses testified nor registered on the bill.

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

Senator Perry moved that SB 276 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

At 8:05 AM Senator Hancock assumed the chair.

The chair laid out SB 156 and recognized the author, Senator Perry, 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 Perry moved that SB 156 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.

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

At 8:20 AM Senator Perry resumed the chair.

The chair laid out SB 471 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 Perry moved that SB 471 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 276.

Senator Perry moved that SB 276 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.

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

The chair laid out SB 811 and recognized the author, Senator Kolkhorst, to explain the bill.

Senator Hancock sent up a committee substitute.

The chair recognized Senator Kolkhorst to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed.

Senator Kolkhorst moved that SB 811 do not pass but that CSSB 811 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. Senator Blanco submitted a motion in writing requesting to be shown voting aye on CSSB 811.

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

The chair laid out SB 1032 and recognized the author, Senator Kolkhorst, to explain the bill.

Senator Kolkhorst sent up a committee substitute.

The chair recognized Senator Kolkhorst 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 Kolkhorst moved that SB 1032 do not pass but that CSSB 1032 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. Senators Hancock and Sparks submitted motions in writing requesting to be voting aye on CSSB 1032.

At 9:11 AM Senator Johnson assumed the chair.

The chair laid out SB 1047 and recognized the author, Senator Perry, 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 Perry moved that SB 1047 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

At 9:23 AM Senator Perry resumed the chair.

There being no further business, at 9:24 AM Senator Perry moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of the chair. Without objection, it was so ordered.

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Senator Charles Perry, Chair

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Wrye Akers, Clerk