MINUTES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES

Wednesday, March 26, 2025

9:00 AM

Capitol Extension, Room E1.012

*****

Pursuant to a notice posted in accordance with Senate Rule 11.10 and 11.18, a public hearing of the Senate Committee on Natural Resources was held on Wednesday, March 26, 2025, in the Capitol Extension, Room E1.012, at Austin, Texas.

*****

MEMBERS PRESENT:	MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Brian Birdwell, Chair	Senator Bryan Hughes
Senator Judith Zaffirini, Vice Chair
Senator Carol Alvarado
Senator César Blanco
Senator Pete Flores
Senator Kelly Hancock
Senator Tan Parker
Senator Kevin Sparks

*****

Senator Judith Zaffirini, the acting chair, called the meeting to order at 9:00 AM. There being a quorum present, the following business was transacted:

The following members arrived after the roll was called:

Senator Brian Birdwell

Senator Kelly Hancock

Senator Tan Parker

The chair laid out SB 2037 and recognized the author, Senator Sparks, to explain the bill.

The chair opened public testimony for SB 2037. Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached list.

At 9:08 AM Senator Birdwell assumed the chair.

The chair left SB 2037 pending.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 2188.

Senator Hancock moved that SB 2188 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 6 ayes, 1 nay, 0 present not voting, and 2 absent.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 2230.

Senator Hancock moved that SB 2230 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 6 ayes, 1 nay, 0 present not voting, and 2 absent.

At 9:11 AM Senator Hancock assumed the chair.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 879.

Senator Birdwell moved that SB 879 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. Dean Zaffirini submitted a motion in writing requesting to be shown voting aye on SB 879.

Senator Birdwell 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 1147.

Senator Birdwell moved that SB 1147 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. Dean Zaffirini submitted a motion in writing requesting to be shown voting aye on SB 1147.

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

At 9:14 AM Senator Birdwell resumed the chair.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 2037.

The chair moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Birdwell moved that SB 2037 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

At 9:15 AM Senator Hancock assumed the chair.

The chair laid out SB 1759 and recognized the author, Senator Birdwell, to explain the bill.

Senator Birdwell sent up a committee substitute.  The chair recognized Senator Birdwell 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 to pull down the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Hancock moved that SB 1759 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 1758 and recognized the author, Senator Birdwell, to explain the bill.

Senator Birdwell sent up a committee substitute.  The chair recognized Senator Birdwell 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 to pull down the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Hancock moved that SB 1758 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 1757 and recognized the author, Senator Birdwell, to explain the bill.

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

Senator Hancock moved that SB 1757 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

At 10:54 AM Senator Hancock moved that the Committee stand recessed until 30 minutes adjournment of the Senate. Without objection, it was so ordered. 

At 6:42 PM Senator Birdwell reconvened the meeting.

At 6:42 PM Dean Zaffirini assumed the chair.

The chair opened public testimony for SB 1757.

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 to pull down the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.

Dean Zaffirini moved that SB 1757 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

At 7:01 PM Senator Birdwell resumed the chair.

There being no further business, at 7:02 PM Senator Birdwell moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of the chair. Without objection, it was so ordered.

__________________________________________

Senator Brian Birdwell, Chair

__________________________________________

Jennifer Trevino, Clerk