MINUTES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON WATER, AGRICULTURE & RURAL AFFAIRS

Monday, May 1, 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, May 1, 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 8:03 AM. There being a quorum present, the following business was transacted:

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

At 8:04 AM Senator Hancock assumed the chair.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business HB 1845.

Senator Perry moved that HB 1845 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 8:04 AM Senator Kolkhorst assumed the chair.

The chair laid out HB 4757 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Perry, to explain the bill.

Senator Perry sent up a draft committee substitute and was recognized to explain the differences of the draft committee substitute and the bill as filled.

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 HB 4757 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

At 8:50 AM Senator Perry resumed the chair.

The chair laid out HB 1809 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Kolkhorst, 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 HB 1809 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 735 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 735 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

At 8:56 AM Senator Hancock assumed the chair.

The chair laid out HB 1750 and recognized the Senate sponsor, 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 Hancock moved that HB 1750 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out HB 2308 and recognized the Senate sponsor, 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 Hancock moved that HB 2308 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out HJR 126 and recognized the Senate sponsor, 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 Hancock moved that HJR 126 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out HB 1565 and recognized the Senate sponsor, 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 Hancock moved that HB 1565 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 1850 and recognized Senator Sparks, in the absence of the author, 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 Hancock moved that SB 1850 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

There being no further business, at 9:30 AM Senator Hancock moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of the chair. Without objection, it was so ordered.

Pursuant to the a motion to suspend, Senate Rules 11.10 and 11.18, and adopted by the Senate, Senator Perry reconvened the Senate Committee on Water, Agriculture and Rural Affairs at 3:15 p.m. at the back rail in the Senate Chamber.

The chair called the meeting to order at 3:15 p.m., a quorum was present.

At 3:16 PM Senator Kolkhorst assumed the chair.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business HB 1565.

Senator Perry moved that HB 1565 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.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business HB 1750.

Senator Perry moved that HB 1750 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 3:18 PM Senator Perry resumed the chair.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business HB 1809.

Senator Kolkhorst moved that HB 1809 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 Kolkhorst moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

At 3:18 PM Senator Kolkhorst assumed the chair.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business HJR 126.

Senator Perry moved that HJR 126 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.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business HB 2308.

Senator Perry moved that HB 2308 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, 1 nay, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.

At 3:19 PM Senator Perry resumed the chair.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 1850.

Senator Flores moved that SB 1850 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 Flores 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 3:20 PM 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