MINUTES

 

SENATE HIGHER EDUCATION COMMITTEE

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

7:30 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 30, 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 Wendy Davis

Senator Jeff Wentworth

 

Senator Rodney Ellis

Senator Royce West

 

Senator Juan Hinojosa

Senator Mike Jackson

Senator Jose Rodríguez

Senator John Whitmire

                                                                                  

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The chair called the meeting to order at 7:30 a.m. There being a quorum present, the following business was transacted:

 

Senator Birdwell moved that the minutes of the March 23, 2011, hearing be approved. The motion was adopted by unanimous consent.

 

The Chair laid out SB 1107 and recognized the author, Senator Davis, to explain the bill. Senator Duncan sent up the committee substitute for SB 1107. The committee substitute was not adopted. The chair recognized Senator Davis to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the Senate bill as filed. SB 1107 was left pending.  

 

 

The Chair laid out SB 324 and recognized the author, Senator Jackson, to explain the bill.      

SB 324 was left pending.

 

The Chair laid out SB 145 and recognized the author, Senator Hinojosa, to explain the bill.      SB 145 was left pending.

 

The Chair laid out SB 1272 and recognized Senator West to explain the bill by Senator Eltife.  SB 1272 was left pending.

 

The Chair laid out SB 1365 and recognized the author, Senator Ellis, to explain the bill. SB 1365 was left pending.

 

The Chair laid out SB 557 and recognized the author, Senator Duncan, to explain the bill.        SB 557 was left pending.

 

At 8:10 a.m. Senator Birdwell assumed the chair.

 

The Chair laid out SB 5 and recognized the author, Senator Zaffirini, to explain the bill. Senator Zaffirini sent up the committee substitute for SB 5. The committee substitute was not adopted.  The chair recognized Senator Zaffirini to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the Senate bill as filed. SB 5 was left pending.

 

At 8:20 a.m. Senator Zaffirini re-assumed the chair.

 

The Chair laid out anew SB 1272 by Senator Eltife 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 1272 be reported to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. There being 7 ayes and 0 nays, SB 1272 was reported favorably. Senator Birdwell moved that SB 1272 be recommended for the Local and Uncontested Calendar. The motion was adopted by unanimous consent.

 

The Chair laid out anew SB 324 by Senator Jackson 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 324 be reported to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. There being 7 ayes and 0 nays, SB 324 was reported favorably. Senator Duncan moved that SB 324 be recommended for the Local and Uncontested Calendar. The motion was adopted by unanimous consent.

 

The Chair laid out anew SB 145 by Senator Hinojosa 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 145 was left pending.

 

The Chair laid out anew SB 5 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. SB 5 was left pending.

 

The Chair laid out anew SB 557 by Senator Duncan and SB 1365 by Senator Ellis and opened public testimony. Names of witnesses who testified and registered for, against, or on the bills are on the attached list. The Chair closed public testimony. SB 557 and SB 1365 were left pending.

 

At 9:27 a.m. Senator Birdwell assumed the chair.

 

The Chair laid out anew SB 1107 by Senator Davis 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 1107 was left pending.

 

No action was taken on the following bill: SB 1005.

 

There being no further business, at 10:25 a.m. Senator Huffman 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