MINUTES

 

SENATE COMMITTEE ON WATER, AGRICULTURE AND RURAL AFFAIRS

Monday, March 31, 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 31, 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 8:01 AM. There being a quorum present, the following business was transacted:

 

The following members arrived after the roll was called: Senator Hancock, Senator Birdwell, and Senator Johnson.

 

The chair laid out SB 1930 and recognized the author, Senator Chuy 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 SB 1930 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out SB 34 and recognized the author, Senator Sparks, 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 34 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out SB 1442 and recognized the author, Senator Johnson, to explain the bill. Senator Birdwell sent up a committee substitute. The chair recognized Senator Johnson 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 Perry moved that SB 1442 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out SB 119 and recognized the author, Senator Hall, 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 119 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out SB 1267 and recognized the author, Senator Alvarado, 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 1267 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

At 9:45 AM Senator Hancock assumed the chair.

 

The chair laid out SB 1948 and recognized the author, Senator Perry, to explain the bill. Senator Birdwell sent up a committee substitute. The chair recognized Senator Perry 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. The Chair moved that SB 1948 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

At 9:51 AM Senator Perry resumed the chair.

 

The chair laid out SB 2078 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 withdrew the committee substitute at the request of the bill author. The chair moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Perry moved that SB 2078 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out SB 532 and recognized the author, Senator Sparks, 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 532 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out SB 1035 and recognized the author, Senator Sparks, 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 1035 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out SB 1245 and recognized the author, Senator Blanco, to explain the bill. Senator Hancock sent up a committee substitute. The chair recognized Senator Blanco 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. The Chair moved that SB 1245 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

At 10:36 AM Senator Hancock assumed the chair.

 

The chair laid out SB 2155 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. The Chair moved that SB 2155 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out SB 2143 and recognized the author, Senator Perry, to explain the bill. Senator Perry sent up a committee substitute. The chair recognized Senator Perry 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. The Chair moved that SB 2143 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 1247 and recognized the author, Senator Perry, to explain the bill. Senator Perry sent up a committee substitute. The chair recognized Senator Perry 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. The Chair moved that SB 1247 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out SB 261 and recognized the author, Senator Perry, to explain the bill. Senator Perry sent up a committee substitute. The chair recognized Senator Perry 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. The Chair moved that SB 261 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

At 11:43 AM Senator Perry resumed the chair.

 

The chair laid out SB 2112 and recognized the author, 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 SB 2112 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

At 11:45 AM Senator Hancock assumed the chair.

 

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 261. Senator Perry moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Perry moved that SB 261 do not pass but that CSSB 261 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, 1 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent. Senator Johnson submitted a motion in writing to be shown voting nay on the bill.

 

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 as a matter of pending business SB 1247. Senator Perry moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Perry moved that SB 1247 do not pass but that CSSB 1247 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. Senator Johnson submitted a motion in writing to be shown voting aye on the bill.

 

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 as a matter of pending business SB 1948. Senator Perry moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Perry moved that SB 1948 do not pass but that CSSB 1948 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, 1 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent. Senator Johnson submitted a motion in writing to be shown voting nay on the bill.

 

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 as a matter of pending business SB 2143. Senator Perry moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Perry moved that SB 2143 do not pass but that CSSB 2143 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. Senator Johnson submitted a motion in writing to be shown voting aye on the bill.

 

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 as a matter of pending business SB 2155. Senator Perry moved that SB

2155 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 Johnson submitted a motion in writing to be shown voting aye on the bill.

 

At 11:52 AM Senator Perry resumed the chair.

 

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 532. Senator Sparks moved that SB

532 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 Johnson submitted a motion in writing to be shown voting aye on the bill.

 

Senator Sparks 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 SB 1035. Senator Sparks moved that SB

1035 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, 1 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent. Senator Johnson submitted a motion in writing to be shown voting nay on the bill.

 

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 1245. Senator Blanco moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Blanco moved that SB 1245 do not pass but that CSSB 1245 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. Senator Johnson submitted a motion in writing to be shown voting aye on the bill.

 

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 SB 1267. Senator Hancock moved that SB

1267 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 Johnson submitted a motion in writing to be shown voting aye on the bill.

 

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 SB 1930. Senator Hancock moved that SB

1930 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 Johnson submitted a motion in writing to be shown voting aye on the bill.

 

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 SB 2112. Senator Kolkhorst moved that SB

2112 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 Johnson submitted a motion in writing to be shown voting aye on the bill.

 

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 11:58 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