MINUTES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HIGHER EDUCATION

Wednesday, April 12, 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, April 12, 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.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business CSSB 810 and recognized the author, Senator Kolkhorst, to explain the bill.

A quorum was established at 9:07 AM.

Senator Seliger moved to reconsider the vote by which the committee substitute for SB 810 was adopted; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Seliger moved to withdraw the committee substitute that was sent up at a previous hearing; without objection, it was so ordered.

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

Senator Watson moved that SB 810 do not pass but that CSSB 810 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 West and Senator Menéndez submitted a motion in writing to be shown voting aye on CSSB 810.

The chair laid out SB 1225 and recognized the author, Senator Miles, 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 1225 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 2048 and recognized the author, Senator Bettencourt, 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 SB 2048 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 Menéndez submitted a motion in writing to be shown voting aye on SB 2048.

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 SB 1781 and recognized the author, Senator West, to explain the bill.

Senator West sent up Committee Amendment 1 and Senator Watson moved adoption; without objection, the amendment was adopted.

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 Buckingham moved that SB 1781, as amended, 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.

The chair laid out SB 1123 and recognized Senator Menéndez, 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.

Senator West moved that SB 1123 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 and Senator Buckingham submitted a motion in writing to be shown voting aye on SB 1123.

Senator Menéndez 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 803 and recognized the author, 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 Taylor moved that SB 803 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 and Senator Buckingham submitted a motion in writing to be shown voting aye on SB 803.

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

Senator Seliger resumed the chair.

There being no further business, at 9:40 AM 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