MINUTES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HIGHER EDUCATION

Wednesday, March 20, 2013

9:00 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 Committee on Higher Education was held on Wednesday, March 20, 2013, in the Capitol Extension, Room E1.012, at Austin, Texas.

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MEMBERS PRESENT:	MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Kel Seliger, Chair	None
Senator Kirk Watson, Vice Chair
Senator Brian Birdwell
Senator Robert Duncan
Senator Dan Patrick
Senator Royce West
Senator Judith Zaffirini

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The chair called the meeting to order at 9:00 AM.

The chair laid out SB 146 and recognized the author, Senator Williams, to explain the bill.

Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached list.

At 9:06 AM a quorum was present, and the following business was transacted:

Senator Zaffirini moved adoption of the minutes from the previous hearing held on March 13, 2013; without objection, it was so ordered.

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

Senator Zaffirini moved that SB 146 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 7 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent. Senator Watson, Senator Duncan and Senator West submitted motions in writing to be shown voting aye on SB 146.

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

The chair laid out SB 1210 and recognized the author, Senator Zaffirini, to explain the bill.

Senator Zaffirini sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Zaffirini 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.

Senator Zaffirini moved to reconsider the vote by which the committee substitute was adopted. Without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Birdwell sent up Committee Amendment 1 and explained the amendment.

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 Birdwell moved to withdraw Committee Amendment 1; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Zaffirini moved adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Zaffirini moved that SB 1210 do not pass but that CSSB 1210 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 moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 680 and recognized the author, Senator West, to explain the bill.

Senator West sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator West to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed.

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 Zaffirini moved adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Zaffirini moved that SB 680 do not pass but that CSSB 680 be reported back to the The motion carried with a record vote of 6 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent. Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.

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

The chair laid out SB 974 and recognized the author, Senator Campbell, 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 Watson moved that SB 974 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.

At 10:10 AM Senator Watson assumed the chair.

The chair laid out SB 490 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 490 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 Duncan submitted a motion in writing to be shown voting aye on SB 490.

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

There being no further business, at 10:15 AM Senator Seliger moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of the chair. Without objection, it was so ordered.

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Senator Kel Seliger, Chair

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Sarah Willcox, Clerk