MINUTES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HIGHER EDUCATION

Wednesday, May 1, 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, May 1, 2013, in the Capitol Extension, Room E1.012, at Austin, Texas.

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

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Senator Kirk Watson, the acting chair, called the meeting to order at 9:01 AM.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 414.

Senator Zaffirini moved to withdraw the committee substitute heard at a previous week’s hearing; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Zaffirini sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Zaffirini, in the absence of the author, to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed. Senator Watson moved the adoption of the committee substitute be left pending to await a quorum; 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 Watson moved that SB 414 be left pending to await a quorum.

The chair laid out SB 1720 and recognized Senator Birdwell, in the absence of the author, to explain the bill.

Senator Birdwell sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Birdwell to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed. Senator Birdwell moved the adoption of the committee substitute be left pending to await a quorum; 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.

At 9:12 AM a quorum was present and the following business was transacted:

The chair called back up as a matter of pending business, SB 414.

Senator Zaffirini moved adoption of the new committee substitute to SB 414; without objection, it was so ordered.  

Senator Zaffirini moved that SB 414 do not pass but that CSSB 414 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 5 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 2 absent. Senator West submitted a motion in writing to be shown voting aye on CSSB 414.

The chair called back up as a matter of pending business, CSSB 1720.

Senator Birdwell moved adoption of the committee substitute to SB 1720; without objection, it was so ordered. 

Senator Patrick moved that SB 1720 do not pass but that CSSB 1720 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 5 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 2 absent. Senator West submitted a motion in writing to be shown voting aye on CSSB 1720.

The chair laid out HB 1752 and recognized Senator Zaffirini, in the absence of the Senate sponsor, 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 house bill as engrossed. 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 Watson moved that CSHB 1752 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Zaffirini moved adoption of the minutes from the previous hearing held on April 24, 2013; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out HB 1844 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator West, 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 HB 1844 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

There being no further business, at 9:26 AM Senator Watson 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