MINUTES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HIGHER EDUCATION

Wednesday, May 3, 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, May 3, 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. There being a quorum present, the following business was transacted:

Senator Seliger moved adoption of the minutes from the previous hearing held on April 26, 2017; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 2079 and recognized the author, Senator Larry Taylor, to explain the bill.

Senator Menéndez sent up a committee substitute. The chair recognized Senator Taylor 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.

Senator Watson moved that SB 2079 do not pass but that CSSB 2079 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, 1 nay, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent. Senator West and Senator Bettencourt submitted a motion in writing to be shown voting aye on CSSB 2079.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business CSSB 1964 and explained the bill.

Senator Taylor moved that SB 1964 do not pass but that CSSB 1964 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, 1 nay, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent. Senator Bettencourt submitted a motion in writing to be shown voting aye on CSSB 1964.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 2086 and recognized the author, Senator West, to explain the bill.

Senator West sent up a committee substitute. The chair recognized Senator West 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.

Senator West moved that SB 2086 do not pass but that CSSB 2086 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 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 2122 and recognized the author, Senator West, to explain the bill.

Senator West moved that SB 2122 do not pass but that CSSB 2122 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 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 CSSB 1151 and recognized the author, Senator Buckingham, to explain the bill.

Senator Taylor moved to reconsider the vote by which the committee substitute was adopted at a previous hearing; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Buckingham moved to withdraw the committee substitute sent up at a previous hearing.

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

Senator Seliger moved that SB 1151 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

At 9:34 AM Senator Seliger moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of the chair. Without objection, it was so ordered.

At 10:03 AM Senator Seliger reconvened the meeting.

At 10:04 AM Senator Seliger moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of the chair. Without objection, it was so ordered.

The posting rule, Senate Rule 11.10 and 11.18, was suspended to meet upon adjournment of the Senate at Senator Seliger’s Desk to consider pending business.

At 7:02 PM Senator Seliger reconvened the meeting.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 1151 and the committee substitute sent up and recognized the author, Senator Buckingham, to explain the bill.

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

Senator Buckingham moved that SB 1151 do not pass but that CSSB 1151 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 4 ayes, 2 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent. Senator Watson and Senator West submitted a motion in writing to be shown voting no on CSSB 1151.

There being no further business, at 7:03 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