MINUTES

 

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HIGHER EDUCATION

Wednesday, May 8, 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 8, 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 9:05 AM.

 

The chair laid out HB 2892 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Hegar, to explain the bill.

 

The chair opened public testimony.

 

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.

 

At 9:08 AM a quorum was established and the following business was transacted:

 

The chair then reopened public testimony. Witnesses testifying on the bill are shown on the attached list.

 

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

 

Senator Duncan moved that HB 2892 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 Watson and Senator Patrick submitted motions in writing to be shown voting aye on HB 2892.

 

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 HB 2051 and recognized Senator West, in the absence of the Senate sponsor, 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 West moved that HB 2051 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 Watson and Senator Patrick submitted motions in writing to be shown voting aye on HB 2051.

 

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 HB 1000 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Hinojosa, to explain the bill.

 

Senator Duncan sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Hinojosa to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the house bill as engrossed. 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 Zaffirini moved that HB 1000 do not pass but that CSHB 1000 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 submitted a motion in writing to be shown voting aye on CSHB 1000.

 

The chair laid out HB 1061 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Birdwell, to explain the bill.

 

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 Seliger moved that HB 1061 be left pending to await a quorum; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out HJR 79 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Birdwell, to explain the bill.

 

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 Seliger moved that HJR 79 be left pending to await a quorum; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

At 10:29 AM Senator Zaffirini assumed the chair.

 

The chair laid out HB 2103 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Seliger, 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 Zaffirini moved that HB 2103 be left pending to await a quorum; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

At 10:34 AM Senator Seliger resumed the chair.

 

There being no further business, at 10:36 AM Senator Seliger moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of the chair. Without objection, it was so ordered.

 

Upon a motion by Senator Seliger to suspend Senate Rules 11.10 and 11.18, the Senate Higher Education Committee reconvened at 2:07 PM at Senator Seliger’s desk. 

 

Senator Seliger moved adoption of the minutes from the previous hearing held on May 1, 2013; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business HJR 79.

 

Senator Birdwell moved that HJR 79 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.

 

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business HB 1061.

 

Senator Birdwell moved that HB 1061 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.

 

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business HB 1844.

 

Senator West moved that HB 1844 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 West moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

At 2:10 PM Senator Watson assumed the chair.

 

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business HB 2103.

 

Senator Seliger moved that HB 2103 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 Seliger moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

At 2:11 PM Senator Seliger resumed the chair.

 

There being no further business, at 2:12 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