MINUTES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HIGHER EDUCATION

Wednesday, April 22, 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, April 22, 2015, in the Capitol Extension, Room E1.012, at Austin, Texas.

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

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Senator Royce West, the acting chair, called the meeting to order at 9:00 AM.

The chair laid out SB 1438 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 West moved that SB 1438 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 1351 and recognized the author, Senator Hinojosa, 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.

At 9:19 AM a quorum was established and the following business was transacted:

Senator Perry moved that SB 1351 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 Bettencourt and Senator Menéndez submitted motions in writing to be shown voting aye on SB 1351.

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

At 9:21 AM Senator Perry assumed the chair.

The chair laid out SB 1655 and recognized the author, 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 Perry moved that SB 1655 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 Bettencourt and Senator Menéndez submitted motions in writing to be shown voting aye on SB 1655.

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

At 9:25 AM Senator West resumed the chair.

The chair laid out SB 1735 and recognized the author, Senator Birdwell, to explain the bill.

Senator Watson sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Birdwell 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 Perry moved adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Perry moved that SB 1735 do not pass but that CSSB 1735 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, 1 nay, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent. Senator Watson submitted a motion in writing to be shown voting aye on CSSB 1735.

Senator Perry moved adoption of the minutes from the previous hearing held on April 15, 2015; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 1624 and recognized Senator Menéndez, in the absence of the author, to explain the bill. Senator Menéndez sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Menéndez to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed.

At 10:15 AM Senator Perry assumed the chair.

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 Perry moved that SB 1624 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

There being no further business, at 10:39 AM Senator Perry moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of the chair. Without objection, it was so ordered.

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Senator Royce West, Vice Chair

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Sarah Harrington, Clerk