MINUTES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HIGHER EDUCATION

Wednesday, March 18, 2015

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 18, 2015, in the Capitol Extension, Room E1.012, at Austin, Texas.

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MEMBERS PRESENT:	MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Kel Seliger, Chair	Senator Paul Bettencourt
Senator Royce West, Vice Chair
Senator Konni Burton
Senator José Menéndez
Senator Charles Perry
Senator Kirk Watson

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The chair called the meeting to order at 9:00 AM. There being a quorum present, the following business was transacted:

The chair laid out SB 947 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 Watson moved that SB 947 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 5 ayes, 1 nay, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.

The chair laid out SB 347 and recognized the author, Senator Nichols, to explain the bill.

The chair opened public testimony.

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

Senator West moved that SB 347 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 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 907 and recognized the author, Senator Perry, 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 West sent up Committee Amendment 1 and moved adoption; The motion carried with a record vote of 5 ayes, 1 nay, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent. 

Senator West requested unanimous consent to incorporate the amendments into a committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator West then moved that the committee substitute be adopted; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator West moved that SB 907 do not pass but that CSSB 907 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 West moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

At 9:19 AM Senator West assumed the chair.

The chair laid out SB 453 and recognized the author, 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 Seliger moved that SB 453 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 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 686 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 686 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 177 and recognized the author, Senator Seliger, to explain the bill.

Senator Perry sent up Committee Amendment 1 and moved adoption; without objection, the amendment was adopted.

Senator Perry sent up Committee Amendment 2 and moved adoption; without objection, the amendment was adopted.

Senator Perry sent up Committee Amendment 3 and moved adoption; without objection, the amendment was adopted.

Senator Seliger moved that SB 177, as amended, 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.

At 9:35 AM Senator Seliger resumed the chair.

Senator West moved adoption of the minutes from the previous hearing held on March 11, 2015; without objection, it was so ordered.

There being no further business, at 9:37 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 Harrington, Clerk