MINUTES

 

SENATE HIGHER EDUCATION COMMITTEE

Wednesday, March 16, 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 16, 2011, in the Capitol Extension, Room E1.012, at Austin, Texas.

 

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MEMBERS PRESENT:

 

MEMBERS ABSENT:

Senator Judith Zaffirini, Chair

 

Senator Kirk Watson

Senator Brian Birdwell, Vice Chair

 

 

Senator Robert Duncan

 

OTHER LEGISLATIVE

Senator Joan Huffman

 

MEMBERS PRESENT:

Senator Jeff Wentworth

 

Senator Dan Patrick

Senator Royce West

 

Senator Tommy Williams

 

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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 March 9, 2011, hearing be approved. The motion was adopted by unanimous consent.

 

The Chair laid out SB 777 and recognized the author, Senator Williams, to explain the bill. SB 777 was left pending.

 

The Chair laid out SB 945 and recognized the author, Senator Patrick, to explain the bill. SB 945 was left pending.

 

The Chair laid out SB 873 and recognized the author, Senator Duncan, to explain the bill. SB 873 was left pending.

 

The Chair laid out SB 764 and recognized Senator West to explain the bill by Senator Nelson. SB 764 was left pending.

 

At 8:15 a.m. Senator Birdwell assumed the chair.

 

The Chair laid out SB 36 and recognized the author, Senator Zaffirini, to explain the bill. SB 36 was left pending.

 

The Chair laid out SB 38 and recognized the author, Senator Zaffirini, to explain the bill. SB 38 was left pending.

 

At 8:24 a.m. Senator Zaffirini re-assumed the chair.

 

The Chair laid out anew SB 36 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 Birdwell moved that SB 36 be reported to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. There being 6 ayes and 0 nays, SB 36 was reported favorably. Senator Birdwell moved that SB 36 be recommended for the Local and Uncontested Calendar. The motion was adopted by unanimous consent.

The Chair laid out anew SB 945 by 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. Senator Wentworth moved that SB 945 be reported to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. There being 6 ayes and 0 nays, SB 945 was reported favorably. Senator Wentworth moved that SB 945 be recommended for the Local and Uncontested Calendar. The motion was adopted by unanimous consent.

The Chair laid out anew SB 777 by Senator Williams 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 SB 777 be reported to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. There being 6 ayes and 0 nays, SB 777 was reported favorably. Senator Duncan moved that SB 777 be recommended for the Local and Uncontested Calendar. The motion was adopted by unanimous consent.

The Chair laid out anew SB 794 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 West moved that SB 794 be reported to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. There being 6 ayes and 0 nays, SB 794 was reported favorably. Senator West moved that SB 794 be recommended for the Local and Uncontested Calendar. The motion was adopted by unanimous consent.

The Chair laid out anew SB 873 by Senator Duncan 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. SB 873 was left pending.

The Chair laid out anew SB 38 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 Birdwell moved that SB 38 be reported to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. There being 6 ayes and 0 nays, SB 38 was reported favorably. Senator Birdwell moved that SB 38 be recommended for the Local and Uncontested Calendar. The motion was adopted by unanimous consent.

Having been present during the hearing, Senator Huffman requested unanimous consent to be shown voting aye on SB 36, SB 777, SB 794, and SB 945. The motion was adopted by unanimous consent, and her votes were included in the total vote count.

 

No action was taken on the following bill: SB 28.

 

There being no further business, at 8:41 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