MINUTES

 

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HIGHER EDUCATION

Wednesday, May 20, 2015

8:30 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 20, 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

 

*****

 

The chair called the meeting to order at 8:31 AM.

 

The chair laid out HB 2472 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Watson, 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 HB 2472 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out HB 1054 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Zaffirini, 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 HB 1054 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out HB 1583 and recognized the Senate sponsor, 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 Seliger moved that HB 1583 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

At 8:53 AM a quorum was established and the following business was transacted:

 

The chair laid out HB 1807 and recognized the Senate sponsor, 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 Bettencourt moved that HB 1807 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, Senator Perry and Senator Watson submitted motions in writing to be shown voting aye on HB 1807.

 

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

 

The chair laid out HB 1887 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Hinojosa, to explain the bill.

 

Senator Menéndez 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 Menéndez moved adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

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 HB 1887 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out HB 2921 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Taylor, 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 HB 2921 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out HB 3577 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Birdwell, to explain the bill.

 

Senator Selieger sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Birdwell to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the house bill as engrossed. Senator Menéndez moved adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

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 HB 3577 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out HB 1613 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Perry, to explain the bill.

 

Senator Menéndez sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Perry to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the house bill as engrossed. Senator Menéndez 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 Menéndez moved that HB 1613 do not pass but that CSHB 1613 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 and Senator Watson submitted motions in writing to be shown voting aye on CSHB 1613.

 

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

 

The chair laid out HB 699 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Uresti, 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 HB 699 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out HB 3348 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Eltife, to explain the bill.

 

Senator Menéndez sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Eltife to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the house bill as engrossed. Senator Menéndez 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 HB 3348 do not pass but that CSHB 3348 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 Bettencourt and Senator Perry submitted motions in writing to be shown voting aye on CSHB 3348.

 

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 3748 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 Burton moved that HB 3748 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 Bettencourt, Senator Perry and Senator Watson submitted motions in writing to be shown voting aye on HB 3748.

 

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 2812 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Taylor, 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 HB 2812 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out HB 1287 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Burton, 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 HB 1287 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out HB 2629 and recognized Senator Menéndez, in the absence of the Senate sponsor, 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 HB 2629 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out HB 2621 and recognized Senator Burton, 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 Seliger moved that HB 2621 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out HB 4046 and recognized Senator Menéndez, 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 Seliger moved that HB 4046 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out HB 3027 and recognized Senator Menéndez, in the absence of the Senate sponsor, 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 HB 3027 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

At 9:57 AM Senator Menéndez assumed the chair.

 

The chair laid out HB 700 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 Menéndez moved that HB 700 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out HB 2205 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Seliger, to explain the bill.

 

Senator Watson sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Seliger to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the house bill as engrossed. Senator Watson 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 Menéndez moved that HB 2205 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out HB 1300 and recognized the Senate sponsor, 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 Menéndez moved that HB 1300 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out HB 2396 and recognized the Senate sponsor, 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 Menéndez moved that HB 2396 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

At 10:22 AM Senator Seliger resumed the chair.

 

The chair laid out HB 2568 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Kolkhorst, 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 HB 2568 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

At 10:35 AM Senator Seliger moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of the chair. Without objection, it was so ordered.

 

At 3:03 PM Senator Seliger reconvened the meeting.

 

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business HB 1054.

 

Senator Watson moved that HB 1054 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 submitted a motion in writing to be shown voting aye on HB 1054.

 

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 as a matter of pending business HB 1287.

 

Senator Burton moved that HB 1287 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 submitted a motion in writing to be shown voting aye on HB 1287.

 

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

 

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business CSHB 1887.

 

Senator Bettencourt moved that HB 1887 do not pass but that CSHB 1887 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 submitted a motion in writing to be shown voting aye on CSHB 1887.

 

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

 

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business HB 2472.

 

Senator Watson moved that HB 2472 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, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 2 absent.

 

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 as a matter of pending business HB 2629.

 

Senator Perry moved that HB 2629 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion failed with a record vote of 3 ayes, 2 nays, 0 present not voting, and 2 absent.

 

Senator Watson then moved to reconsider the vote by which HB 2629 fail; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out HB 2629.

 

Senator Perry moved that HB 2629 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 submitted a motion in writing to be shown voting aye on HB 2629.

 

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

 

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business HB 2812.

 

Senator Watson moved that HB 2812 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 submitted a motion in writing to be shown voting aye on HB 2812.

 

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 as a matter of pending business CSHB 3577.

 

Senator Bettencourt moved that HB 3577 do not pass but that CSHB 3577 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 submitted a motion in writing to be shown voting aye on CSHB 3577.

 

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 as a matter of pending business HB 4046.

 

Senator Watson moved that HB 4046 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 submitted a motion in writing to be shown voting aye on HB 4046.

 

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

 

At 3:10 PM Senator Watson assumed the chair.

 

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business HB 1300.

 

Senator Seliger moved that HB 1300 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 submitted a motion in writing to be shown voting aye on HB 1300.

 

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 as a matter of pending business CSHB 2205.

 

Senator Seliger moved that HB 2205 do not pass but that CSHB 2205 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 submitted a motion in writing to be shown voting aye on CSHB 2205.

 

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business HB 2396.

 

Senator Seliger moved that HB 2396 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 submitted a motion in writing to be shown voting aye on HB 2396.

 

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business HB 700.

 

Senator Seliger moved that HB 700 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 submitted a motion in writing to be shown voting aye on HB 700.

 

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

 

At 3:16 PM Senator Seliger resumed the chair.

 

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business HB 2568.

 

Senator Bettencourt moved that HB 2568 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, 1 nay, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent. Senator West submitted a motion in writing to be shown voting aye on HB 2568.

 

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business HB 2921.

 

Senator Perry moved that HB 2921 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, 1 nay, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent. Senator West submitted a motion in writing to be shown voting aye on HB 2921.

 

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business HB 2621.

 

Senator Burton moved that HB 2621 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, 2 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent. Senator West submitted a motion in writing to be shown voting aye on HB 2621.

 

Senator Seliger moved adoption of the minutes from the previous hearing held on May 13, 2015; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

There being no further business, at 3:21 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