Texas Legislature, Senate, Natural Resources Committee:

An Inventory of Records at the Texas State Archives, 1940, 1956-1957, 1971-1984, 1989-1997 (bulk 1989-1997)

Agency History

The Senate Natural Resources Committee is a standing Senate Committee which has been Chaired by Senators H. Tati Santiesteban, Bill Sims, and J.E. "Buster" Brown. Frequently, subcommittees on Agriculture and/or Water have been created. The Committee reviews matters concerning the environment and natural resources of Texas and has oversight of such such agencies as the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and the Texas Natural Resources Conservation Commission.

As a standing committee (according to the Texas Administrative Code, Section 301, Subchapter B), the Senate Natural Resources Committee is expected to operate regardless of whether or not the Legislature is currently in session and must do the following: conduct a continuing study of any matter within its jurisdiction and of the instrumentalities of government administering or executing the matter; examine the administration and execution of all laws relating to jurisdictional matters; conduct investigations to collect adequate information and materials necessary to perform its duties; formulate legislative programs; and initiate, draft, and recommend to the Senate any legislation the committee deems necessary and desirable. The committee chair must introduce or cause to be introduced the legislative programs developed by the committee and shall mobilize efforts to secure the passage of such proposals. The committee may inspect the records, documents, and files of each state department, agency, or office, as needed, to perform its duties. As a standing committee, it is not limited to considering items submitted by individual legislators, but must search for problems within its jurisdiction and develop, formulate, initiate, and secure passage of any legislative solution the committee deems desirable. When the legislature is in session, the committee may meet when it chooses, so long as it adheres to applicable legislative requirements and rules of procedure. When the legislature is not in session, it will meet when necessary to transact the committee's business wherever authorized by the legislation which created the committee.

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Scope and Contents of the Records

Records of the Texas Senate's Natural Resources Committee consist of correspondence, newsletters, publications, printed materials, newspaper clippings, newspapers, presentation material, petitions, notes, memoranda, reports, resolutions, minutes, speeches, legislative bills, bill analyses, logs, agenda, calendar placement forms, witness lists, petitions, legal documents, exhibits, and witness registration cards from 1940, 1956-1957, 1971-1984, and 1989-1997 (bulk 1989-1997), predominantly the 68th and 73rd through 75th Legislative and Interim sessions. The records were maintained by Chairs H. Tati Santiesteban, Bill Sims, and J.E. (Buster) Brown. Meeting files document formal committee gatherings to consider legislation directed to the committee and local hearings held to address concerns and gather information regarding proposed and existing legislation and procedures. Bill files document the legislative bills considered by the Texas Senate's Natural Resources Committee during the 75th Legislature, 1997. Working files document the work done on topics of concern to the Natural Resources Committee. Research files contain background materials on agencies and issues of interest to the Natural Resources Committee. Subjects include water resources and regulations, clean air, low-level radiation issues, superfund sites, pests and pesticides, recycling, leasing and management of public lands, various hunting and fishing issues, and aquaculture (specifically, the possible regulation of aquatic activities such as fisheries, shrimperies, the management of exotic aquatic plants and animals, and the discharge of wastewater and material from such aquatic industries). Also featured are materials regarding House Bill 2473 (the Texas Environmental, Health, and Safety Audit Privilege Act concerning voluntary environmental self-audits), the proposed Columbia Bottomlands National Wildlife Refuge, revision of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Code, and various administrative, operational, and regulatory issues regarding the Texas Natural Resources Conservation Commission.

Included in these records are hearing files of the Joint Committee on Water Resources, 68th Interim Session, chaired by the then chair of the Senate Natural Resources Committee, Senator Santiestiban. During the 68th Legislature a water resources package containing several constitutional amendments passed the Texas Senate but stalled in the House. The Legislature thus decided to hold interim hearings on the matter and appointed the Joint Committee on Water Resources. The records of this Committee appear to have been maintained alongside, and transferred to the State Archives with, the records of the Natural Resources Committee Records.

To prepare this inventory, the described materials were cursorily reviewed to delineate series, to confirm the accuracy of contents lists, to provide an estimate of dates covered, and to determine record types.

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Restrictions

Restrictions on Access

Because of the possibility that portions of these records fall under the Public Information Act exceptions including violations of the privacy of individuals, these records must be reviewed by an archivist before they can be accessed for research. The records may be requested for research under the provisions of the Public Information Act (Texas Government Code, Chapter 552). The researcher may request an interview with an archivist or submit a request by mail, fax, or email including enough description and detail about the information requested to enable the archivist to accurately identify and locate the information requested. If our review reveals records covered by exceptions to the Public Information Act, we are obligated to seek an Open Records Opinion from the Attorney General before the files can be provided to the researcher. The Public Information Act allows the Archives ten business days after receiving the written request to make this determination.

Restrictions on Use

Where necessary, records will be redacted or restricted to comply with the Public Information Act and the Attorney General's decision.

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Related Material

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Administrative Information

Preferred Citation

Records, Natural Resources Committee, Senate, Texas Legislature. Archives and Information Services Division, Texas State Library and Archives Commission.

Accession Information

Accession numbers: 1984/220, 1986/117, 1999/095, 2001/090

These records were transferred to the Archives and Information Services Division of the Texas State Library and Archives Commission by Senator H. Tati Santiesteban on July 31, 1984, and the Senate Natural Resources Committee on March 14, 1986; January 21, 1999; and January 16, 2001.

Processing Information

Nancy Enneking, January 1999, January 2001

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Detailed Description of the Records

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