MINUTES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HIGHER EDUCATION

Wednesday, May 6, 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, May 6, 2015, in the Capitol Extension, Room E1.012, at Austin, Texas.

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MEMBERS PRESENT:	MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Kel Seliger, Chair	None
Senator Royce West, Vice Chair
Senator Paul Bettencourt
Senator Konni Burton
Senator José Menéndez
Senator Charles Perry
Senator Kirk Watson

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The chair called the meeting to order at 9:03 AM. There being a quorum present, the following business was transacted:

Senator Watson moved adoption of the minutes from the previous hearings held on April 22, 2015, and April 29, 2015; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out HB 495 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Hinojosa, 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 HB 495 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 Burton submitted motions in writing to be shown voting aye on HB 495.

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

The chair laid out HB 1051 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Birdwell, 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 1051 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 Burton submitted motions in writing to be shown voting aye on HB 1051.

The chair laid out SB 2042 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 Seliger moved that SB 2042 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 1624. Senator Watson moved to withdraw the previously adopted committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Watson sent up a new committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Rodríguez to explain the difference between the new committee substitute and the senate bill as filed. Senator Watson moved adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Perry moved that SB 1624 do not pass but that CSSB 1624 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion failed with a record vote of 2 ayes, 3 nays, 0 present not voting, and 2 absent.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business HB 658.

Senator West moved that HB 658 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 submitted a motion in writing to be shown voting aye on HB 658.

At 9:30 AM Senator Seliger moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of the chair. Without objection, it was so ordered.

Pursuant to a motion made on the Senate floor by Senator Seliger, to suspend Senate Rules 11.10 and 11.18, Senator Seliger reconvened the Senate Committee on Higher Education at 4:13 PM at the back railing of the Senate Chamber.

The Chair laid out CSSB 1624 and recognized Senator Watson for a motion.

Senator Watson moved that the Committee reconsider the vote by which CSSB 1624 failed to pass; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair then recognized Senator Rodríguez to explain the bill.

Senator Watson moved that SB 1624 do not pass but that CSSB 1624 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, 2 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.

There being no further business, at 4:19 PM 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