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MINUTES

 

SENATE HIGHER EDUCATION COMMITTEE

Wednesday, May 11, 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, May 11, 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 John Carona

Senator Jeff Wentworth

 

 

Senator Royce West

 

 

 

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

 

Senator Birdwell moved that the minutes of the May 4, 2011, hearing be approved. The motion was adopted by unanimous consent.

 

The Chair laid out HB 2907 by Representative Branch and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Carona, to explain the bill. Senator Duncan sent up the committee substitute for          HB 2907. The committee substitute was not adopted. The Chair recognized Senator Carona to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the Senate bill as filed. HB 2907 was left pending.

 

The Chair laid out SB 1631 by Senator Birdwell and recognized the author to explain the bill.     Senator Birdwell sent up the committee substitute for SB 1631. The committee substitute was not adopted. The Chair recognized Senator Birdwell to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the Senate bill as filed. SB 1631 was left pending.

 

The Chair laid out HJR 130 by Representative Branch and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Birdwell, to explain the bill. Senator Birdwell sent up the committee substitute for      HJR 130. The Chair recognized Senator Birdwell to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the Senate bill as filed. Senator Birdwell moved adoption of          CSHJR 130. The motion was adopted by unanimous consent. CSHJR 130 was left pending.

 

At 7:39 a.m. Senator Birdwell assumed the chair.

 

The Chair laid out HB 399 by Representative Castro and recognized the Senate Sponsor, Senator Zaffirini, to explain the bill. HB 399 was left pending.

 

The Chair laid out HB 2908 by Representative Branch and recognized the Senate Sponsor, Senator Zaffirini, to explain the bill. HB 2908 was left pending.

 

The Chair laid out HB 2937 by Representative Lewis and recognized the Senate Sponsor, Senator Zaffirini, to explain the bill. HB 2937 was left pending.

 

The Chair laid out HB 3577 by Representative Gonzales and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Zaffirini, to explain the bill. Senator Zaffirini sent up the committee substitute for       HB 3577. The Chair recognized Senator Zaffirini to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the Senate bill as filed. Senator Zaffirini moved adoption of              CSHB 3577. The motion was adopted by unanimous consent. CSHB 3577 was left pending.

 

At 7:44 a.m. Senator Zaffirini re-assumed the chair.

 

The Chair laid out anew HB 3577 by Representative Gonzales, sponsored 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 HB 3577 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 7 ayes and        0 nays, HB 3577 was reported favorably. Senator Birdwell moved that HB 3577 be recommended for the Local and Uncontested Calendar. The motion was adopted by unanimous consent.

 

The Chair laid out anew HB 2937 by Representative Lewis, sponsored 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 Wentworth moved that HB 2937 be reported to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. There being 7 ayes and 0 nays, HB 2937 was reported favorably. Senator Wentworth moved that        HB 2937 be recommended for the Local and Uncontested Calendar. The motion was adopted by unanimous consent.

 

The Chair laid out anew HB 399 by Representative Castro, sponsored 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 Watson moved that      HB 399 be reported to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. There being 7 ayes and 0 nays, HB 399 was reported favorably. Senator Watson moved that HB 399 be recommended for the Local and Uncontested Calendar. The motion was adopted by unanimous consent.

 

The Chair laid out anew HB 2908 by Representative Branch, sponsored 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 West moved that         HB 2908 be reported to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. There being 7 ayes and 0 nays, HB 2908 was reported favorably. Senator West moved that HB 2908 be recommended for the Local and Uncontested Calendar. The motion was adopted by unanimous consent.

 

The Chair laid out anew HB 2907 by Representative Branch, sponsored by Senator Carona, and opened public testimony. Names of witnesses who testified and registered for, against, or on the bill are on the attached list. Senator Birdwell moved adoption of CSHB 2907. The motion was adopted by unanimous consent. The Chair closed public testimony. Senator Birdwell moved that   HB 2907 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 7 ayes and         0 nays, the committee substitute for HB 2907 was reported favorably. Senator Birdwell moved that CSHB 2907 be recommended for the Local and Uncontested Calendar. The motion was adopted by unanimous consent.

 

The Chair laid out anew HJR 130 by Representative Branch, sponsored 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  HJR 130 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 7 ayes and        0 nays, HJR 130 was reported favorably.

 

The Chair laid out anew SB 774 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 Duncan moved that SB 774 be reported to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. There being 7 ayes and 0 nays, SB 774 was reported favorably. Senator Duncan moved that SB 774 be recommended for the Local and Uncontested Calendar. The motion was adopted by unanimous consent.

 

The Chair laid out anew SB 1631 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. SB 1631 was left pending.

 

Having been present during the hearing, Senator Huffman requested unanimous consent to be shown voting aye on HB 399, HB 2908, HB 2937, and HB 3577. The motion was adopted by unanimous consent, and her votes were included in the total vote count.

 

Having been present during the hearing, Senator Duncan requested unanimous consent to be shown voting aye on HB 399, HB 2907, HB 2908, HB 2937, and HB 3577. The motion was adopted by unanimous consent, and his votes were included in the total vote count.

 

There being no further business, at 8:35 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.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

Senator Judith Zaffirini, Chair

 

 

 

 

Gonzalo Serrano, Clerk