MINUTES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON WATER, AGRICULTURE AND RURAL AFFAIRS

Monday, March 10, 2025

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 and Rural Affairs was held on Monday, March 10, 2025, 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 Brian Birdwell
Senator César Blanco
Senator Roland Gutierrez
Senator Adam Hinojosa
Senator Nathan Johnson
Senator Lois Kolkhorst
Senator Kevin Sparks

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The chair called the meeting to order at 8:00 AM. There being a quorum present at 8:11 AM, the following business was transacted:

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

At 8:02 AM Senator Hancock assumed the chair.

The chair laid out SB 1248 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 Hancock moved that SB 1248 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

At 8:06 AM Senator Perry resumed the chair.

The chair laid out SCR 13 and recognized the author, Senator Hinojosa, Adam, 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 SCR 13 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

At 8:53 AM Senator Hancock assumed the chair.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 740 and recognized the author, Senator Perry, to explain the bill.

Senator Sparks sent up a committee substitute.  The chair recognized Senator Perry to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed.

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

Senator Perry moved that SB 740 do not pass but that CSSB 740 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 9 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 1248 and recognized the author, Senator Perry, to explain the bill.

Senator Perry moved that SB 1248 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 9 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.

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

At 9:03 AM Senator Perry resumed the chair.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SCR 13 and recognized the author, Senator Hinojosa, Adam, to explain the bill.

Senator Hancock moved that SCR 13 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 9 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.

Senators Birdwell and Kolhorst submitted a motion in writing to be shown voting aye on the following bills: SB 1248, SCR 13, and CSSB 740.

There being no further business, at 9:03 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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Jayna Grove, Clerk