MINUTES
SENATE COMMITTEE ON WATER, AGRICULTURE AND RURAL AFFAIRS
Monday, April 7, 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, April 7, 2025, in the Capitol Extension, Room E1.012, at Austin, Texas.
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MEMBERS PRESENT: |
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MEMBERS ABSENT: |
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Senator Charles Perry, Chair |
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None |
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Senator Kelly Hancock, Vice Chair |
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Senator Brian Birdwell |
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Senator César Blanco |
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Senator Roland Gutierrez |
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Senator Adam Hinojosa |
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Senator Nathan Johnson |
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Senator Lois Kolkhorst |
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Senator Kevin Sparks |
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The chair called the meeting to order at 8:00 AM. There being a quorum present at 8:01 AM, the following business was transacted:
The following members arrived after the roll was called: Senator Gutierrez, Senator Hinojosa, Senator Johnson, Senator Kolkhorst, and Senator Sparks.
The chair laid out SB 1662 and recognized the author, Senator Zaffirni, 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 1662 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.
The chair laid out SB 1663 and recognized the author, Senator Zaffirni, 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 1663 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.
The chair laid out SB 2124 and recognized the author, Senator Zaffirni, 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 2124 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.
The chair laid out SB 1967 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 1967 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.
The chair laid out SB 1413 and recognized the author, Senator Nichols, 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 1413 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.
The chair laid out SB 1624 and recognized the author, Senator Johnson, 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 1624 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.
At 9:40 AM Senator Hancock assumed the chair.
The chair laid out SB 863 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 863 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.
The chair laid out SB 1190 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 1190 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.
The chair laid out SB 1261 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 1261 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.
The chair laid out SB 1855 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 1855 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.
At 10:21 AM Senator Perry resumed the chair.
The Chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 1624, Senator Johnson sent up the committee substitute. The chair recognized Senator Johnson to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed. The chair opened up public testimony. The chair moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Perry moved that SB 1624 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.
The chair laid out SB 2204 and recognized the author, Senator Birdwell, 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 2204 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.
The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 34. Senator Sparks sent up a committee substitute. The chair recognized Senator Sparks to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed. Senator Sparks moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.
Senator Sparks moved that SB 34 do not pass but that CSSB 34 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 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 2078. 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. Senator Kolkhorst moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.
Senator Kolkhorst moved that SB 2078 do not pass but that CSSB 2078 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.
The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 1624. Senator Johnson moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Johnson moved that SB 1624 do not pass but that CSSB 1624 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 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 1662. Senator Hancock moved that SB 1662 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 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 1663. Senator Hancock moved that SB 1663 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 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 1967. Senator Hancock moved that SB 1967 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 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 2124. Senator Hancock moved that SB 2124 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 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 2204. Senator Hancock moved that SB 2204 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 Birdwell moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.
At 10:34 AM Senator Hancock assumed the chair.
The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 863. Senator Perry moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Perry moved that SB 863 do not pass but that CSSB 863 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 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 1261. Senator Perry moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Perry moved that SB 1261 do not pass but that CSSB 1261 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 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 1855. Senator Perry moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Perry moved that SB 1855 do not pass but that CSSB 1855 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 Perry moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.
At 10:37 AM Senator Perry resumed the chair.
There being no further business, at 10:37 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