MINUTES SENATE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION Tuesday, March 8, 2005 8:30 a.m. Capitol Extension, Room E1.028 ***** Pursuant to a notice posted in accordance with Senate Rule 11.18, a public hearing of the Senate Committee on Education was held on Tuesday, March 8, 2005, in the Capitol Extension, Room E1.028, at Austin, Texas. ***** MEMBERS PRESENT: MEMBERS ABSENT: Senator Florence Shapiro Senator Steve Ogden Senator Royce West Senator Judith Zaffirini Senator Kip Averitt Senator Kyle Janek Senator Todd Staples Senator Leticia Van de Putte Senator Tommy Williams ***** The chair called the meeting to order at 8:40 a.m. The following business was transacted: The chair referred the following bills to the Senate Subcommittee on Higher Education: SB 530, SB 532, & SB 549. Senator Shapiro suspended the 24 hour posting rule pursuant to Senate Rules 11.10 and 11.18 Monday, March 7, 2005, on the Senate Floor so the Senate Committee on Education could take up and consider SB 493 by Senator Van de Putte on Tuesday, March 8, 2005. The chair laid out SB 493 and recognized Senator Staples, in the absence of the author, to explain the bill. Senator Van de Putte sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Van de Putte to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the bill as filed. There being a quorum present at 8:45 a.m., the clerk call the roll. Senator Janek moved adoption of the minutes from the previous hearings held on February 8, 2005, February 22, 2005, and March 1, 2005; without objection, it was so ordered. The chair resumed discussion on SB 493. Senator Van de Putte moved adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. 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 Van de Putte moved that SB 493 do not pass but that CSSB 493 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 6 ayes, 0 nay, 0 present not voting, and 3 absent. The chair laid out SB 117 and recognized the author, Senator Van de Putte, to explain the bill. Senator Van de Putte sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Van de Putte to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the bill as filed. Senator Van de Putte moved adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Van de Putte sent up Committee Amendment 1 and moved adoption; without objection, the amendment was adopted. Senator Van de Putte requested unanimous consent to roll the amendment into a committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. 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 Van de Putte then moved that the new committee substitute be adopted; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Van de Putte moved that SB 117 do not pass but that CSSB 117 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 6 ayes, 0 nay, 0 present not voting, and 3 absent. Senator Van de Putte moved that SB 117 be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Van de Putte moved that SB 493 be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered. The chair laid out SB 152 and recognized Senator Janek, in the absence of the author, 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 West moved that SB 152 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 announced that Senator Janek requested unanimous consent to be shown voting aye on the following bill: SB 152. There being no further business, at 9:05 a.m. Senator Shapiro moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of the chair. Without objection, it was so ordered. _____________________________ Senator Florence Shapiro, Chair _____________________________ Tara Korstad, Clerk