MINUTES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HIGHER EDUCATION

Wednesday, March 8, 2017

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 8, 2017, 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 Dawn Buckingham
Senator José Menéndez
Senator Larry Taylor
Senator Kirk Watson

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The chair called the meeting to order at 9:03 AM. At 9:06 AM a quorum was established and the following business was transacted:

The chair laid out SB 719 and recognized the author, 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 Taylor moved adoption of the minutes from the previous hearing held on February 22, 2017; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Watson moved that SB 719 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 Buckingham, and Senator Menendez submitted a motion in writing to be shown voting aye on SB 719.

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 249 and recognized Senator Watson, in the absence of the author, to explain the bill. Senator Watson sent up a committee substitute.  The chair recognized Senator Watson to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed.  Senator Taylor 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 Taylor moved that SB 249 do not pass but that CSSB 249 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, Senator Buckingham, and Senator Menendez submitted a motion in writing to be shown voting aye on CSSB 249.

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

Senator West assumed the chair.

The chair laid out SB 885 and recognized the author, Senator Seliger, to explain the bill.

Senator Seliger sent up a committee substitute.  The chair recognized Senator Seliger to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed.  The chair 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.

The chair moved that SB 885 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 886 and recognized the author, Senator Seliger, to explain the bill.

Senator Seliger sent up a committee substitute.  The chair recognized Senator Seliger to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed.  The chair 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.

The chair moved that SB 886 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 887 and recognized the author, Senator Seliger, to explain the bill.

Senator Seliger sent up a committee substitute.  The chair recognized Senator Seliger to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed.  The chair 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 Seliger moved that SB 887 do not pass but that CSSB 887 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 Seliger resumed the chair.

There being no further business, 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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Daniel Warner, Clerk