MINUTES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HIGHER EDUCATION

Wednesday, March 6, 2013

9:00 AM

Capitol Extension, Room E1.012

*****

Pursuant to a notice posted in accordance with Senate Rule 11.10 and 11.18, a public hearing of the Senate Committee on Higher Education was held on Wednesday, March 6, 2013, in the Capitol Extension, Room E1.012, at Austin, Texas.

*****

MEMBERS PRESENT:	MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Kel Seliger, Chair	Senator Royce West
Senator Kirk Watson, Vice Chair
Senator Brian Birdwell
Senator Robert Duncan
Senator Dan Patrick
Senator Judith Zaffirini

*****

The chair called the meeting to order at 9:00 AM. The following business was transacted:

The chair laid out SB 24 and recognized the author, Senator Hinojosa, to explain the bill.

At 9:05 the roll was called, and a quorum was present.

Senator Seliger moved adoption of the minutes from the previous hearing held on February 27, 2013; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Zaffirini sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Hinojosa to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed. Senator Zaffirini moved adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.

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 Zaffirini moved that SB 24 do not pass but that CSSB 24 be reported back 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 1 absent. Senator Patrick submitted a motion in writing to be shown voting aye on CSSB 24.

The chair laid out SB 120 and recognized the author, Senator Rodríguez, to explain the bill.

Senator Watson sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Rodriguez to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed. Senator Duncan moved adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.

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 Duncan moved that SB 120 do not pass but that CSSB 120 be reported back 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 1 absent. Senator Patrick submitted a motion in writing to be shown voting aye on CSSB 120.

At 9:57 AM Senator Seliger moved that the Committee stand recessed until after the conclusion of the Senate Finance Committee hearing. Without objection, it was so ordered.

At 5:00 PM Senator Seliger reconvened the meeting.

At 5:01 PM Senator Watson assumed the chair.

The chair laid out SB 31 and recognized Senator Seliger, in the absence of the author, 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 Seliger moved that SB 31 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 1 absent. Senator Zaffirini and Senator Duncan submitted motions in writing to be shown voting aye on SB 31.

Senator Seliger moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 497 and recognized the author, Senator Seliger, to explain the bill.

Witnesses 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 Seliger moved that SB 497 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 1 absent. Senator Zaffirini and Senator Duncan submitted motions in writing to be shown voting aye on SB 497.

Senator Seliger moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 498 and recognized the author, Senator Seliger, to explain the bill.

Senator Seliger sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Seliger to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed. Senator Seliger moved adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.

Witnesses 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 Seliger moved that SB 498 do not pass but that CSSB 498 be reported back 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 1 absent. Senator Zaffirini and Senator Duncan submitted motions in writing to be shown voting aye on CSSB 498.

Senator Seliger moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

At 5:10 PM Senator Seliger resumed the chair.

There being no further business, at 5:11 PM Senator Seliger moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of the chair. Without objection, it was so ordered.

__________________________________________

Senator Kel Seliger, Chair

__________________________________________

Sarah Willcox, Clerk