MINUTES

 

SENATE HIGHER EDUCATION COMMITTEE

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

8:00 AM

Capitol Extension, Room E1.012

 

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Pursuant to a notice posted in accordance with Senate Rule 11.10 and 11.18, a public hearing of the Senate Higher Education Committee was held on Wednesday, March 2, 2011, in the Capitol Extension, Room E1.012, at Austin, Texas.

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MEMBERS PRESENT:		MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Judith Zaffirini, Chair		None
Senator Brian Birdwell, Vice Chair
Senator Robert Duncan		OTHER LEGISLATIVE
Senator Joan Huffman		MEMBERS PRESENT :
Senator Kirk Watson		Senator Jane Nelson
Senator Jeff Wentworth		Senator Tommy Williams
Senator Royce West

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The Chair called the meeting to order at 8:00 a.m. There being a quorum present, the following business was transacted:

 

Senator Birdwell moved that the minutes of the February 16, 2011, hearing be approved. The motion was adopted by unanimous consent. 

 

The Chair recognized Senator Jeff Wentworth and invited him to introduce his staff. Senator Wentworth introduced David Clark, Higher Education Policy Analyst.

 

The Chair laid out SB 74 and recognized the author, Senator Nelson, to explain the bill. SB 74 was left pending.

 

The Chair laid out SB 386 and recognized the author, Senator Williams, to explain the bill. SB 386 was left pending.

 

The Chair laid out SB 176 and recognized the author, Senator Huffman, to explain the bill. SB 176 was left pending.

 

The Chair laid out SB 528 and recognized the author, Senator Huffman, to explain the bill. SB 528 was left pending.

 

The Chair laid out SB 179 and recognized Senator Birdwell to explain the bill by Senator Estes. SB 179 was left pending.

 

The Chair laid out SB 489 and recognized Senator Huffman to explain the bill by Senator Fraser. SB 489 was left pending.

 

The Chair laid out SB 514 and recognized the author, Senator Birdwell, to explain the bill. SB 514 was left pending.

 

At 8:14 a.m. Senator Birdwell assumed the chair.

 

The Chair laid out SB 67 and recognized the author, Senator Zaffirini, to explain the bill. SB 67 was left pending.

 

At 8:17 a.m. Senator Zaffirini re-assumed the chair.

 

The Chair laid out anew SB 176 by Senator Huffman and opened public testimony. There being no witnesses registered for, against, or on the bill, the Chair closed public testimony. Senator Huffman moved that SB 176 be reported to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. There being 7 ayes and 0 nays, SB 176 was reported favorably.

 

The Chair laid out anew SB 386 by Senator Williams and opened public testimony. There being no witnesses registered for, against, or on the bill, the Chair closed public testimony.
Senator Birdwell moved that SB 386 be reported to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. There being 7 ayes and 0 nays, SB 386 was reported favorably.

 

The Chair laid out anew SB 74 by Senator Nelson 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 Birdwell moved that SB 74 be reported to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. There being 7 ayes and 0 nays, SB 74 was reported favorably.

 

The Chair laid out anew SB 179 by Senator Estes 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 Birdwell moved that SB 179 be reported to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. There being 7 ayes and 0 nays, SB 179 was reported favorably.

 

The Chair laid out anew SB 489 by Senator Fraser 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 Birdwell moved that SB 489 be reported to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. There being 7 ayes and 0 nays, SB 489 was reported favorably.

 

The Chair laid out anew SB 514 by Senator Birdwell 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 Birdwell moved that SB 514 be reported to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. There being 7 ayes and 0 nays, SB 514 was reported favorably.

 

The Chair laid out anew SB 528 by Senator Huffman 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 Birdwell moved that SB 528 be reported to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. There being 7 ayes and 0 nays, SB 528 was reported favorably.

 

At 8:27 a.m. Senator Birdwell assumed the chair.

 

The Chair laid out anew SB 67 by 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. Senator Zaffirini moved that SB 528 be reported to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. There being 7 ayes and 0 nays, SB 67 was reported favorably.

 

At 8:31 a.m. Senator Zaffirini re-assumed the chair.

 

Senator Birdwell moved that the following bills be recommended for the Local and Uncontested Calendar: SB 67 By Senator Zaffirini, SB 74 by Senator Nelson, SB 176 by Senator Huffman, SB 179 by Senator Estes, SB 489 by Senator Fraser, SB 514 by Senator Birdwell, and SB 528 by Senator Huffman. The motion was adopted by unanimous consent.

 

There being no further business, at 8:32 a.m. Senator Birdwell moved that the Senate Higher

Education Committee stand in recess, subject to the call of the Chair. The motion was

adopted by unanimous consent.

 

 

___________________________

Senator Judith Zaffirini, Chair

 

 

___________________________

Gonzalo Serrano, Clerk