MINUTES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION

Thursday, May 9, 2013

8:30 AM

Capitol Extension, Room E1.028

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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 Committee on Education was held on Thursday, May 9, 2013, in the Capitol Extension, Room E1.028, at Austin, Texas.

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MEMBERS PRESENT:	MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Dan Patrick, Chair	Senator Leticia Van de Putte
Senator Eddie Lucio, Jr., Vice Chair
Senator Donna Campbell
Senator Robert Duncan
Senator Ken Paxton
Senator Kel Seliger
Senator Larry Taylor
Senator Royce West

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The chair called the meeting to order at 8:32 AM.  The following business was transacted:

Pursuant to the suspension of Senate Rules 11.10 and 11.18 during the Senate session of

May 8th, 2013, the chair considered the following bill, HB 1926.

The chair laid out HB 773 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Schwertner, to explain the bill.  Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached list.  The chair moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered. 

Senator Patrick moved that HB 773 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out HB 753 and recognized Senator Lucio, Jr., in the absence of the Senate sponsor, to explain the bill.  Senator Lucio, Jr. sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Lucio, Jr. to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the house bill as engrossed.  Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached list. 

At 8:45 AM the roll was called, and a quorum was present.

The chair moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Patrick moved that HB 753 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out HB 897 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Hinojosa, to explain the bill.  Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached list. 

Senator Patrick moved that HB 897 and public testimony be left pending temporarily; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out HB 2961 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Deuell, to explain the bill.  Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached list.  The chair moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered.  Senator Lucio, Jr. moved that HB 2961 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 8 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business HB 773.  Senator West moved that HB 773 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 8 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.  Senator West moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.   

As a matter of pending business, the chair opened public testimony on SB 897.  Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached list. The chair moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Patrick moved that HB 897 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out HB 455 and recognized Senator Lucio, Jr., in the absence of the Senate sponsor, to explain the bill.  Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached list.  The chair moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered.  Senator Lucio, Jr. moved that HB 455 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 8 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.  Senator Lucio, Jr. moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out HB 617 and recognized Senator Lucio, Jr., in the absence of the Senate sponsor, to explain the bill.  Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached list.  The chair moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered.  Senator Lucio, Jr. moved that HB 617 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 6 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 3 absent.   

The chair laid out HB 1926 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Hegar, to explain the bill.  Senator Lucio, Jr. sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Hegar to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the house bill as engrossed.  Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached list.  The chair moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Patrick moved that HB 1926 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

There being no further business, at 11:00 AM Senator Patrick moved that the Committee stand recessed until 30 minutes after adjournment of the Senate. Without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Patrick reconvened the meeting at 1:51 PM.

As a matter of pending business, the chair resumed public testimony on HB 1926.  Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached list. The chair moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Dan Patrick moved that HB 1926 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Campbell requested unanimous consent to be shown voting aye on HB 455, and HB 2961; there being no objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Duncan requested unanimous consent to be shown voting aye on HB 455, HB 773, and HB 2961; there being no objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Paxton requested unanimous consent to be shown voting aye on HB 455, HB 617, HB 773, and HB 2961; there being no objection, it was so ordered.

There being no further business, at 2:21 PM Senator Patrick moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of the chair. Without objection, it was so ordered.

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Senator Dan Patrick, Chair

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Holly Mabry McCoy, Clerk