MINUTES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HIGHER EDUCATION

Wednesday, April 17, 2013

8:30 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, April 17, 2013, in the Capitol Extension, Room E1.012, at Austin, Texas.

*****

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

*****

The chair called the meeting to order at 8:30 AM. There being a quorum present, the following business was transacted:

Senator Seliger moved adoption of the minutes from the previous hearing held on April 10, 2013; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 1313 and recognized the author, 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 Birdwell moved that SB 1313 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 Patrick submitted motions in writing to be shown voting aye on SB 1313.

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

The chair laid out SB 414 and recognized the author, Senator Ellis, to explain the bill.

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

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 the bill be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 1145 and recognized the author, Senator Hegar, to explain the bill.

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

The chair opened public testimony. There were no witnesses testifying or registered on the bill.  

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

Senator Birdwell moved that SB 1145 do not pass but that CSSB 1145 be reported back 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 CSSB 1145.

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

The chair laid out SB 691 and recognized the author, Senator Eltife, to explain the bill.

Senator Birdwell sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Eltife to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed. Senator Birdwell 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 Seliger moved that SB 691 be left pending to await a quorum; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 460 and recognized the author, Senator Deuell, to explain the bill.

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

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.

At 9:33 AM a quorum was reestablished.

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

Senator Duncan moved that SB 460 do not pass but that CSSB 460 be reported back 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 and Senator Patrick submitted motions in writing to be shown voting aye on CSSB 460.

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

The chair laid out SB 1810 and recognized the author, Senator Ellis, to explain the bill.

Senator West sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Ellis to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed. Senator West 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 West moved that SB 1810 do not pass but that CSSB 1810 be reported back 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 and Senator Patrick submitted motions in writing to be shown voting aye on CSSB 1810.

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 as a matter of pending business CSSB 691.

Senator Duncan moved that SB 691 do not pass but that CSSB 691 be reported back 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 and Senator Patrick submitted motions in writing to be shown voting aye on CSSB 691.

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

The chair laid out SB 1590 and recognized the author, Senator Zaffirini, 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 Duncan moved that SB 1590 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 and Senator Patrick submitted motions in writing to be shown voting aye on SB 1590.

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 1604 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 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 1604 do not pass but that CSSB 1604 be reported back 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 and Senator Patrick submitted motions in writing to be shown voting aye on CSSB 1604.

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 436 and recognized the author, Senator Birdwell, 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 436 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

At 10:20 AM Senator Watson assumed the chair.

The chair laid out SB 1531 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 1531 do not pass but that CSSB 1531 be reported back 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 Patrick and Senator West submitted motions in writing to be shown voting aye on CSSB 1531.

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

At 10:22 AM Senator Seliger resumed the chair.

There being no further business, at 10:23 AM 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