The Senate Committee on Natural Resources convened on May 7, 2025, to discuss key legislative matters, including House Bill 1238 and House Bill 2970. The meeting began with a brief acknowledgment of the session's progress, leading to public testimony.

The first item on the agenda was House Bill 1238, which aims to enhance regulatory flexibility for the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) in the uranium industry. Ty Embree, representing the Texas uranium committee, testified in favor of the bill, highlighting the growing demand for uranium due to the resurgence of nuclear power. He emphasized that the bill would provide TCEQ with necessary tools to support industry growth in Texas. Committee members, including Senator Parker, expressed their support, recognizing the bill as a common-sense approach to facilitate regulatory processes for the industry. After a brief discussion, public testimony on House Bill 1238 concluded with no further comments, and the bill was left pending.

The committee then moved on to House Bill 2970, sponsored by Senator Middleton, which relates to the Gulf Coast Protection District's project implementation. The bill, a counterpart to Senate Bill 410, includes provisions ensuring that the final design of the coastal barrier Bolivar Gate system complies with existing transportation regulations. This is crucial for maintaining safe navigation for vessels in the Houston Ship Channel, which is vital for Texas's economic activities. Senator Sparks presented the committee substitute for the bill, confirming that it mirrored previous discussions and decisions made regarding Senate Bill 410.

No public testimony was registered for House Bill 2970, and after confirming there were no questions from committee members, public testimony was closed, leaving the bill pending as well.

In summary, the meeting focused on advancing legislative efforts to support the uranium industry and ensure safe navigation in coastal projects, with both bills remaining under consideration for future discussions.