MINUTES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HIGHER EDUCATION

Wednesday, April 10, 2019

9:00 AM

Capitol Extension, Room E1.028

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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 10, 2019, in the Capitol Extension, Room E1.028, at Austin, Texas.

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MEMBERS PRESENT:	MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Brandon Creighton, Chair	None
Senator Royce West, Vice Chair
Senator Paul Bettencourt
Senator Dawn Buckingham
Senator Peter Flores
Senator José Menéndez
Senator Beverly Powell
Senator Larry Taylor
Senator Kirk Watson

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Senator Royce West, the acting chair, called the meeting to order at 9:04 AM. There being a quorum present, the following business was transacted:

The chair laid out SB 650 and recognized the author, Senator Huffman, to explain the bill.

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

Senator Taylor assumed the chair.

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 Taylor moved that SB 650 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 1755.

Senator Flores moved that SB 1755 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 9 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent. Senators West, Bettencourt, Creighton, and Buckingham submitted motions in writing requesting unanimous consent to be shown voting aye.

Senator Flores 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 1504.

Senator Powell moved that SB 1504 do not pass but that CSSB 1504 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 9 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent. Senators Bettencourt, Creighton, and Buckingham submitted motions in writing requesting unanimous consent to be shown voting aye.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 945.

Senator Watson moved that SB 945 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 9 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.  Senators Bettencourt, Creighton, and Buckingham submitted motions in writing requesting unanimous consent to be shown voting aye.

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 as a matter of pending business SB 499.

Senator Flores moved that SB 499 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 9 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent. Senators Bettencourt, Creighton, and Buckingham submitted motions in writing requesting unanimous consent to be shown voting aye.

Senator Menéndez 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 502.

Senator Flores moved that SB 502 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 9 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent. Senators Bettencourt, Creighton, and Buckingham submitted motions in writing requesting unanimous consent to be shown voting aye.

Senator Menéndez 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 25 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 West moved adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator West moved that SB 25 do not pass but that CSSB 25 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 9 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent. Senators Bettencourt, Creighton, and Buckingham submitted motions in writing requesting unanimous consent to be shown voting aye.

Senator West assumed the chair.

The chair laid out SB 585 and recognized the author, Senator Watson, to explain the bill.

At 9:38 AM Senator Creighton assumed the chair.

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

At 9:56 AM Senator Creighton moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of the chair. Without objection, it was so ordered.

At 12:30 PM Senator West reconvened the meeting.

Senator Watson assumed the chair.

Senator West resumed the chair.

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

Senator Watson moved that SB 585 do not pass but that CSSB 585 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 9 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent. Senators Bettencourt, Creighton, Taylor, and Flores submitted motions in writing requesting unanimous consent to be shown voting aye.

The chair laid out SB 756 and recognized the author, Senator Hinojosa, to explain the bill.

Senator Menéndez sent up a committee substitute.  The chair recognized Senator Juan Hinojosa to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed.  Senator West 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 West moved that SB 756 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 1680 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.

Senator West moved that SB 1680 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 630 and recognized the author, Senator Rodríguez, 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 630 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 884 and recognized the author, Senator Menéndez, to explain the bill.

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

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

Senator West moved that SB 884 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 1664 and recognized Senator Powell, in the absence of the author, 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 1664 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 504 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 West moved that SB 504 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 2300 and recognized the author, Senator Powell, to explain the bill.

Senator Powell sent up a committee substitute.  The chair recognized Senator Powell to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed.  Senator West moved committee substitute be left pending to await a quorum; 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 West moved that SB 2300 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 2202 and recognized Senator Watson, in the absence of the author, 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 2202 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 2346 and recognized Senator Watson, 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 2346 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Menéndez assumed the chair.

The chair laid out SB 1192 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.

Senator Menéndez moved that SB 1192 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator West resumed the chair.

There being no further business, at 1:46 PM Senator West moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of the chair. Without objection, it was so ordered.

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Senator Brandon Creighton, Chair

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Abby Romero, Clerk