MINUTES

 

SENATE HIGHER EDUCATION COMMITTEE

Wednesday, May 20, 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 20, 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 Kip Averitt

Senator Robert Duncan

Senator Royce West

 

None

 

OTHER LEGISLATIVE MEMBERS PRESENT:

Senator Rodney Ellis

Senator Glenn Hegar

Senator Florence Shapiro

 

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

 

At 8:01 a.m. Senator Patrick assumed the chair.

 

The chair laid out HB 2954 by Representative Coleman and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Ellis, to explain the bill.

 

The chair opened public testimony. There being no witnesses registered for, against, or on the bill, the chair closed public testimony.

 

HB 2954 was left pending.

 

The chair laid out HB 2961 by Representative Coleman and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Ellis, to explain the bill.

 

HB 2961 was left pending.

 

At 8:06 a.m. Senator Zaffirini resumed the chair.

A quorum was established at 8:07 a.m.

 

The chair laid out HB 3276 by Representative Howard and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Ellis, to explain the bill. Senator Patrick sent up the committee substitute for HB 3276 and moved its adoption. The motion was adopted by unanimous consent. The chair recognized Senator Ellis to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the Senate bill as filed.

 

CSHB 3276 was left pending.

 

The chair laid out HB 4501 by Representative Coleman and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Ellis, to explain the bill.

 

HB 4501 was left pending.

 

The chair laid out HB 1056 by Representative Morrison and recognized Senator Patrick to explain the bill sponsored by Senator Hegar.

 

HB 1056 was left pending.

 

The chair laid out SCR 73 and recognized the author, Senator Averitt, to explain the bill.

 

SCR 73 was left pending.

 

Senator Patrick moved that the minutes of the May 13, 2009, hearings be approved. The motion was adopted by unanimous consent. 

 

The chair laid out HB 746 by Representative Brown and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Patrick, to explain the bill.

 

HB 746 was left pending.

 

The chair laid out HB 4189 by Representative Rose and recognized Senator Patrick to explain the bill sponsored by Senator Watson.

 

HB 4189 was left pending.

 

The chair laid out HB 2805 by Representative Maldonado and recognized Senator Patrick to explain the bill sponsored by Senator Ogden.

 

HB 2805 was left pending.

 

At 8:20 a.m. Senator Patrick assumed the chair.

 

The chair laid out HB 4244 by Representative Hochberg and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Zaffirini, to explain the bill. Senator Zaffirini sent up the committee substitute for       HB 4244 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 4244 was left pending.

 

The chair laid out HB 51 by Representative Branch and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Zaffirini, to explain the bill.

 

HB 51 was left pending.

 

The chair laid out HB 3795 by Representative Morrison and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Shapiro, to explain the bill.

 

HB 3795 was left pending.

 

The chair laid out anew HB 51 by Representative Branch and Senator Zaffirini. Senator Zaffirini sent up the committee substitute for HB 51. The chair recognized Senator Zaffirini to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the Senate bill as filed. Senator Zaffirini sent up a committee amendment for HB 51. The chair recognized Senator Zaffirini to explain the amendment.  

 

HB 51 was left pending.

 

The chair laid out anew HB 746 by Representative Brown and Senator Patrick and opened public testimony. There being no witnesses registered for, against, or on the bill, the chair closed public testimony.

 

HB 746 was left pending.

 

The chair laid out anew HB 2954 by Representative Coleman and Senator Ellis and opened public testimony anew. There being no witnesses registered for, against, or on the bill, the chair closed public testimony.

 

HB 2954 was left pending.

 

The chair laid out anew HB 4501 by Representative Coleman and Senator Ellis and opened public testimony. There being no witnesses registered for, against, or on the bill, the chair closed public testimony.

 

HB 4501 was left pending.

 

The chair laid out anew HB 1056 by Representative Morrison and Senator Hegar 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 1056 was left pending.

 

The chair laid out anew HB 4189 by Representative Rose and Senator Watson 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 4189 was left pending.

 

The chair laid out anew CSHB 4244 by Representative Hochberg 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.

 

CSHB 4244 was left pending.

 

The chair laid out anew SCR 73 by Senator Averitt 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.

 

SCR 73 was left pending.

 

The chair laid out anew HB 2805 by Representative Maldonado and Senator Ogden 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 2805 was left pending.

 

The chair laid out anew HB 2961 by Representative Coleman and Senator Ellis 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 2961 was left pending.

 

The chair laid out anew CSHB 3276 by Representative Howard and Senator Ellis 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.

 

CSHB 3276 was left pending.

 

The chair laid out anew HB 3975 by Representative Morrison and Senator Shapiro 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 3975 was left pending.

 

The chair laid out HB 101 by Representative Brown and recognized Senator Duncan to explain the bill sponsored by Senator Uresti.

 

HB 101 was left pending.

 

At 9:01 a.m. the chair announced that the committee would stand at ease until 9:05 a.m., pending the re-establishment of a quorum.

 

At 9:05 a.m. the chair reconvened the Senate Higher Education Committee and announced that the committee would stand at ease until 9:10 a.m., pending the re-establishment of a quorum.  

 

The committee reconvened at 9:10 a.m., and a quorum was re-established.

 

The chair laid out anew HB 746 by Representative Brown and Senator Patrick 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 746 was left pending.

 

The chair laid out anew HB 1056 by Representative Morrison and Senator Hegar. Senator West moved that HB 1056 be reported to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. There being 5 ayes and 0 nays, HB 1056 was reported favorably. 

 

Senator West moved that HB 1056 be recommended for the Local and Uncontested Calendar. The motion was adopted by unanimous consent.

 

Having been present during the hearing, Senator Averitt requested unanimous consent to be shown voting aye on HB 1056. The motion was adopted by unanimous consent, and his vote was included in the total vote count.

 

The chair laid out anew HB 2805 by Representative Maldonado and Senator Ogden. Senator Patrick moved that HB 2805 be reported to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. There being 5 ayes and 0 nays, HB 2805 was reported favorably. 

 

Senator Patrick moved that HB 2805 be recommended for the Local and Uncontested Calendar. The motion was adopted by unanimous consent.

 

Having been present during the hearing, Senator Averitt requested unanimous consent to be shown voting aye on HB 2805. The motion was adopted by unanimous consent, and his vote was included in the total vote count.

 

The chair laid out anew HB 2954 by Representative Coleman and Senator Ellis. Senator West moved that HB 2954 be reported to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. There being 5 ayes and 0 nays, HB 2954 was reported favorably. 

 

Having been present during the hearing, Senator Averitt requested unanimous consent to be shown voting aye on HB 2954. The motion was adopted by unanimous consent, and his vote was included in the total vote count.

 

The chair laid out anew HB 2961 by Representative Coleman and Senator Ellis. Senator West moved that HB 2961 be reported to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. There being 5 ayes and 0 nays, HB 2961 was reported favorably. 

 

Having been present during the hearing, Senator Averitt requested unanimous consent to be shown voting aye on HB 2961. The motion was adopted by unanimous consent, and his vote was included in the total vote count.

 

The chair laid out anew CSHB 3276 by Representative Howard and Senator Ellis. Senator West moved that HB 3276 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 5 ayes and 0 nays, the committee substitute for HB 3276 was reported favorably. 

 

Having been present during the hearing, Senator Averitt requested unanimous consent to be shown voting aye on CSHB 3276. The motion was adopted by unanimous consent, and his vote was included in the total vote count.

 

The chair laid out anew HB 3795 by Representative Morrison and Senator Shapiro. Senator Patrick moved that HB 3795 be reported to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. There being 5 ayes and 0 nays, HB 3795 was reported favorably. 

 

Senator Patrick moved that HB 3795 be recommended for the Local and Uncontested Calendar. The motion was adopted by unanimous consent.

 

Having been present during the hearing, Senator Averitt requested unanimous consent to be shown voting aye on HB 3795. The motion was adopted by unanimous consent, and his vote was included in the total vote count.

 

The chair laid out anew HB 4189 by Representative Rose and Senator Watson. Senator Duncan moved that HB 4189 be reported to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. There being 5 ayes and 0 nays, HB 4189 was reported favorably. 

 

Senator West moved that HB 4189 be recommended for the Local and Uncontested Calendar. The motion was adopted by unanimous consent.

 

Having been present during the hearing, Senator Averitt requested unanimous consent to be shown voting aye on HB 4189. The motion was adopted by unanimous consent, and his vote was included in the total vote count.

 

The chair laid out anew HB 4501 by Representative Coleman and Senator Ellis. Senator West moved that HB 4501 be reported to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. There being 5 ayes and 0 nays, HB 4501 was reported favorably. 

 

Having been present during the hearing, Senator Averitt requested unanimous consent to be shown voting aye on HB 4501. The motion was adopted by unanimous consent, and his vote was included in the total vote count.

 

The chair laid out anew CSHB 4244 by Representative Hochberg and Senator Zaffirini. Senator West moved that HB 4244 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       5 ayes and 0 nays, the committee substitute for HB 4244 was reported favorably. 

 

Senator Patrick moved that CSHB 4244 be recommended for the Local and Uncontested Calendar. The motion was adopted by unanimous consent.

 

Having been present during the hearing, Senator Averitt requested unanimous consent to be shown voting aye on CSHB 4244. The motion was adopted by unanimous consent, and his vote was included in the total vote count.

 

The chair laid out anew SCR 73 by Senator Averitt. Senator Patrick moved that SCR 73 be reported to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. There being         5 ayes and 0 nays, SCR 73 was reported favorably. 

 

Senator Patrick moved that SCR 73 be recommended for the Local and Uncontested Calendar. The motion was adopted by unanimous consent.

 

Having been present during the hearing, Senator Averitt requested unanimous consent to be shown voting aye on SCR 73. The motion was adopted by unanimous consent, and his vote was included in the total vote count.

 

The following bills were left pending: HB 51, HB 101, HB 746.

 

 

 

 

 

There being no further business, at 9:01 a.m. Senator Patrick 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

 

 

_____________________________

Lauren Cook, Clerk