MINUTES

 

SENATE HIGHER EDUCATION COMMITTEE

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

8:00 a.m.

Capitol Extension, Room E1.012

 

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Pursuant to a notice posted in accordance with Senate Rule 11.18, a public hearing of the Senate Committee on Higher Education was held on Wednesday, May 13, 2009, in the Capitol Extension, Room E1.012, at Austin, Texas.

 

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MEMBERS PRESENT:		MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Judith Zaffirini, Chair Senator Dan Patrick, Vice Chair Senator Robert Duncan Senator Royce West		Senator Kip Averitt   OTHER LEGISLATIVE MEMBERS PRESENT: Senator Wendy Davis Senator Joan Huffman Senator Eddie Lucio Senator Robert Nichols Senator Leticia Van de Putte

 

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The chair called the meeting to order at 8:00 a.m.  The following business was transacted: 

 

The chair laid out HB 1325 by Representative Rios Ybarra and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Lucio, to explain the bill.

 

HB 1325 was left pending.

 

The chair laid out HB 3340 by Representative Hopson and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Nichols, to explain the bill.

 

HB 3340 was left pending.

 

A quorum was established at 8:05 a.m.

 

The chair laid out HB 3951 by Representative Turner and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Davis, to explain the bill.

 

HB 3951 was left pending.

 

Senator Patrick moved that the minutes of the May 6, 2009, and May 11, 2009, hearings be approved. The motion was adopted by unanimous consent. 

 

The chair laid out HB 2424 by Representative Morrison and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Huffman, to explain the bill.

 

HB 2424 was left pending.

 

The chair laid out HB 58 by Representative Branch and recognized Senator Patrick to explain the bill sponsored by Senator Averitt.

 

HB 58 was left pending.

 

The chair laid out HB 1096 by Representative Vo and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Van de Putte, to explain the bill.

 

HB 1096 was left pending.

 

At 8:21 a.m. Senator Patrick assumed the chair.

 

The chair laid out HB 4149 by Representative Rose and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Zaffirini, to explain the bill. Senator Zaffirini sent up the committee substitute for HB 4149 and moved its adoption. The motion was adopted by unanimous consent. The chair recognized Senator Zaffirini to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the Senate bill as filed.

 

CSHB 4149 was left pending.

 

At 8:27 a.m. Senator Zaffirini resumed the chair.

 

The chair laid out anew HB 2424 by Representative Morrison and Senator Huffman and opened public testimony. There being no witnesses registered for, against, or on the bill, the chair closed public testimony.

 

Senator Averitt moved that HB 2424 be reported to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. There being 4 ayes and 0 nays, HB 2424 was reported favorably. 

 

Senator Patrick moved that HB 2424 be recommended for the Local and Uncontested Calendar. The motion was adopted by unanimous consent.

 

The chair laid out anew HB 3951 by Representative Turner and Senator Davis and opened public testimony. There being no witnesses registered for, against, or on the bill, the chair closed public testimony.

 

Senator Patrick moved that HB 3951 be reported to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. There being 4 ayes and 0 nays, HB 3951 was reported favorably. 

 

The chair laid out anew CSHB 4149 by Representative Rose and Senator Zaffirini and opened public testimony. There being no witnesses registered for, against, or on the bill, the chair closed public testimony.

 

Senator Patrick moved that HB 4149 be reported to the Senate with the recommendation that it do not pass, but that the committee substitute adopted in lieu thereof do pass and be printed. There being 4 ayes and 0 nays, the committee substitute for HB 4149 was reported favorably. 

 

Senator Patrick moved that CSHB 4149 be recommended for the Local and Uncontested Calendar. The motion was adopted by unanimous consent.

 

The chair laid out anew HB 1325 by Representative Rios Ybarra and Senator Lucio and opened public testimony. Names of witnesses who testified and registered for, against, or on the bill are on the attached list. The chair closed public testimony.

 

HB 1325 was left pending.

 

The chair laid out anew HB 3340 by Representative Hopson and Senator Nichols and opened public testimony. Names of witnesses who testified and registered for, against, or on the bill are on the attached list. The chair closed public testimony.

 

Senator West moved that HB 3340 be reported to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. There being 4 ayes and 0 nays, HB 3340 was reported favorably. 

 

Senator West moved that HB 3340 be recommended for the Local and Uncontested Calendar. The motion was adopted by unanimous consent.

 

The chair laid out anew HB 1096 by Representative Vo and Senator Van de Putte and opened public testimony. Names of witnesses who testified and registered for, against, or on the bill are on the attached list. The chair closed public testimony.

 

Senator Duncan moved that HB 1096 be reported to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. There being 4 ayes and 0 nays, HB 1096 was reported favorably. 

 

 

 

 

The chair laid out anew HB 58 by Representative Rose and Senator Zaffirini and opened public testimony. Names of witnesses who testified and registered for, against, or on the bill are on the attached list. The chair closed public testimony.

 

HB 58 was left pending.

 

There being no further business, at 8:50 a.m. Senator Duncan moved that the committee stand recessed, subject to the call of the chair. The motion was adopted by unanimous consent.

 

 

 

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Senator Judith Zaffirini, Chair

 

 

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Lauren Cook, Clerk