MINUTES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES

Wednesday, May 14, 2025

9:00 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 Natural Resources was held on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, in the Capitol Extension, Room E1.012, at Austin, Texas.

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MEMBERS PRESENT:	MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Brian Birdwell, Chair	None
Senator Judith Zaffirini, Vice Chair
Senator Carol Alvarado
Senator César Blanco
Senator Pete Flores
Senator Kelly Hancock
Senator Bryan Hughes
Senator Tan Parker
Senator Kevin Sparks

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The chair called the meeting to order at 9:00 AM. The following business was transacted:

The following members arrived after the roll was called:

Senator Carol Alvarado

Senator César Blanco

Senator Pete Flores

Senator Bryan Hughes

Senator Tan Parker

The chair laid out HB 1237 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Dean Zaffirini, to explain the bill.

Senator Zaffirini sent up a committee substitute.  The chair recognized Senator Zaffirini to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the house bill as engrossed.

Witnesses registering on the bill are shown on the attached list.

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

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

Senator Birdwell moved that HB 1237 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out HB 3071 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Hancock, to explain the bill.

Witnesses 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 Birdwell moved that HB 3071 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

At 9:12 AM Senator Hancock assumed the chair.

The chair laid out HB 2663 and recognized the Senate sponsor, 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 Hancock moved that HB 2663 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out HB 4384 and recognized the Senate sponsor, 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 Hancock moved that HB 4384 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

At 9:42 AM Senator Birdwell resumed the chair.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business HB 2563 in lieu of SB 2510.

Senator Hancock moved that HB 2563 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, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 2 absent. Senators Zaffirini and Parker submitted motions in writing requesting to be shown voting aye on HB 2563.

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 HB 143 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Hancock, to explain the bill.

Senator Hancock sent up a committee substitute.  The chair recognized Senator Hancock to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the house bill as engrossed.

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

Senator Birdwell moved that HB 143 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

At 9:50 AM Senator Birdwell moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of the chair. Without objection, it was so ordered.

Upon the suspension of Senate Rules 11.10 and 11.18, Senator Birdwell reconvened the Senate Committee on Natural Resources at 4:16 PM at Senator Birdwell’s desk in the Senate Chamber.

There being a quorum present, the following business was transacted:

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business HB 1237.

Dean Zaffirini sent up a committee substitute. Dean Zaffirini moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Zaffirini moved that HB 1237 do not pass but that CSHB 1237 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 Zaffirini moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

At 4:18 PM Senator Hancock assumed the chair.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business HB 2663.

Senator Birdwell moved that HB 2663 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.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business HB 4384.

Senator Birdwell moved that HB 4384 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 4:19 PM Senator Birdwell resumed the chair.

There being no further business, at 4:19 PM Senator Birdwell moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of the chair. Without objection, it was so ordered.

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Senator Brian Birdwell, Chair

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Jennifer Trevino, Clerk