MINUTES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON WATER, AGRICULTURE & RURAL AFFAIRS

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

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MEMBERS PRESENT:	MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Charles Perry, Chair	Senator Roland Gutierrez
Senator Kelly Hancock, Vice Chair
Senator César Blanco
Senator Pete Flores
Senator Nathan Johnson
Senator Lois Kolkhorst
Senator Kevin Sparks
Senator Drew Springer

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The chair called the meeting to order at 8:01 AM. There being a quorum present, the following business was transacted:

The following members arrived after the roll was called: Senator Blanco, Senator Johnson and Senator Kolkhorst.

The chair laid out HB 162 and recognized the Senate sponsor, 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 Perry moved that HB 162 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out HB 3497 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Juan Hinojosa, 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 3497 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out HB 3323 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator West, 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 3323 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out HB 4742 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator LaMantia, 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 4742 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out HB 2568 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator LaMantia, 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.

The chair laid out HB 1971 and recognized the Senate sponsor, 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 HB 1971 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out HB 3278 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Blanco, 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 3278 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out HB 2508 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 2508 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out HB 3222 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 3222 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out HB 2271 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 2271 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

At 8:27 AM Senator Hancock assumed the chair.

The chair laid out HB 2443 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 2443 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

At 8:28 AM Senator Perry resumed the chair.

At 8:29 AM, the Chair moved that the committee stand at ease temporarily.

The Chair reconvened the committee at 8:50 AM.

The chair laid out HB 1540 and recognized the Senate sponsor, 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 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 Perry moved that HB 1540 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

At 9:33 AM, the Chair moved that the committee stand at ease temporarily.

The Chair reconvened the committee at 9:45 AM.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business HB 162.

Senator Hancock moved that HB 162 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 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 1540.

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

Senator Hancock moved that HB 1540 do not pass but that CSHB 1540 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.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business HB 1971.

Senator Hancock moved that HB 1971 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 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 2271.

Senator Kolkhorst moved that HB 2271 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 9:47 AM Senator Hancock assumed the chair.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business HB 2443.

Senator Perry moved that HB 2443 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 9:47 AM Senator Perry resumed the chair.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business HB 2508.

Senator Kolkhorst moved that HB 2508 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.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business HB 2568.

Senator Hancock moved that HB 2568 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 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 3222.

Senator Kolkhorst moved that HB 3222 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.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business HB 3278.

Senator Blanco moved that HB 3278 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 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 HB 3323.

Senator Kolkhorst moved that HB 3323 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.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business HB 3497.

Senator Hancock moved that HB 3497 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 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 4742.

Senator Kolkhorst moved that HB 4742 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.

There being no further business, at 9:52 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