MINUTES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HIGHER EDUCATION

Wednesday, April 5, 2017

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, April 5, 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 8:32 AM.

The chair laid out SB 2086 and recognized the author, Senator West, to explain the bill.

At 8:37 AM a quorum was established.

Senator Taylor moved adoption of the minutes from the previous hearings held on March 29, 2017; 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 2086 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 2122 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.

The chair moved that SB 2122 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 247 and recognized Senator West, in the absence of the author, 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.

The chair moved that SB 247 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business CSSB 1119 and explained the bill.

Senator West moved that SB 1119 do not pass but that CSSB 1119 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 Buckingham, Senator Menendez, and Senator Watson submitted a motion in writing to be shown voting aye on CSSB 1119.

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 SB 1467 and explained the bill.

Senator Taylor moved that SB 1467 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 Buckingham, Senator Menendez, and Senator Watson submitted a motion in writing to be shown voting aye on SB 1467.

Senator Bettencourt 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 950 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.  Senator Seliger 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.

Senator Taylor assumed the chair.

Senator West assumed the chair.

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

The chair moved that CSSB 950 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 2119 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.

Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached list.

Senator Taylor assumed the chair.

Senator West assumed the chair.

Senator Seliger resumed the chair.

At 11:00 AM Senator Seliger moved that the Committee stand recessed. Without objection, it was so ordered.

At 3:02 PM Senator West reconvened the meeting.

Senator Menéndez assumed the chair.

Senator West assumed the chair.

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

The chair moved that SB 2119 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Seliger resumed the chair.

There being no further business, at 5:17 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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Daniel Warner, Clerk