MINUTES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HIGHER EDUCATION

Wednesday, April 24, 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 24, 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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The chair called the meeting to order at 9:16 AM. The following business was transacted:

The chair laid out SB 1736 and recognized the author, Senator Menéndez, to explain the bill.

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

Senator Creighton moved that SB 1736 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 1441 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 Creighton moved that SB 1441 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 1163 and recognized the author, Senator Bettencourt, to explain the bill.

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

At 9:28 AM roll was called. A quorum was present.

The following members arrived after the roll was called:

Senator Dawn Buckingham

Senator Peter Flores

Senator Larry Taylor

Senator Kirk Watson

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

Senator Creighton West that SB 1163 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 1478 and recognized the author, Senator Bettencourt, 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 Creighton moved that SB 1478 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 998 and recognized Senator Flores, 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 Creighton moved that SB 998 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 2130 and recognized the author, Senator Powell, to explain the bill.

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

The chair laid out SB 143 and recognized the author, Senator Rodríguez, 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 Creighton moved that SB 143 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 504.

Senator Bettencourt moved that SB 504 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. Senator Taylor submitted a motion in writing requesting unanimous consent to be shown voting aye.

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 1192.

Senator Powell moved that SB 1192 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. Senator Taylor submitted a motion in writing requesting unanimous consent to be shown voting aye.

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 2202.

Senator Flores moved that SB 2202 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. Senator Taylor submitted a motion in writing requesting unanimous consent to be shown voting aye.

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 1734.

Senator Flores moved that SB 1734 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. Senator Taylor submitted a motion in writing requesting unanimous consent to be shown voting aye.

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 756.

Senator Watson moved that SB 756 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. Senator Taylor submitted a motion in writing requesting unanimous consent to be shown voting aye.

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 2300 and recognized the author, Senator Powell, to explain the bill.

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

Senator Bettencourt moved that SB 2300 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. Senator Taylor submitted a motion in writing requesting unanimous consent to be shown voting aye.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 1664 and recognized the author, Senator Buckingham, to explain the bill.

Senator Flores 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 Creighton moved committee substitute be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator West assumed the chair.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 2343.

Senator Creighton moved that SB 2343 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. Senator Taylor submitted a motion in writing requesting unanimous consent to be shown voting aye.

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

Senator Creighton resumed the chair.

The chair laid out SB 876 and recognized the author, Senator West, to explain the bill.

The chair laid out SB 1880 and recognized the author, Senator Schwertner, to explain the bill.

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

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

Senator Creighton moved that SB 876 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Creighton moved that SB 1880 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

There being no further business, at 10:30 AM 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