MINUTES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HIGHER EDUCATION

Tuesday, April 26, 2016

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 Tuesday, April 26, 2016, in the Capitol Extension, Room E1.012, at Austin, Texas.

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MEMBERS PRESENT:	MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Kel Seliger, Chair	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 9:10 AM. There being a quorum present, the following business was transacted:

Senator Perry moved adoption of the minutes from the previous hearing held on March 29, 2016; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Schwertner was present at the hearing.

The chair laid out and made remarks on the following interim charge: Examine and make recommendations regarding tuition and student debt at public institutions of higher education in Texas. Specifically, study how Texas compares to peer states, variance between institutions, how accountability measures can be used to impact tuition, and increases in tuition since 2003.

The chair then called invited testimony (see attached witness list).

At 1:09 PM Senator Watson assumed the chair.

At 1:13 PM Senator Seliger resumed the chair.

The chair then opened public testimony (see attached witness list).

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

There being no further business, at 2:46 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