MINUTES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HIGHER EDUCATION

Wednesday, May 1, 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, May 1, 2019, in the Capitol Extension, Room E1.028, at Austin, Texas.

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MEMBERS PRESENT:	MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Brandon Creighton, Chair	Senator José Menéndez
Senator Royce West, Vice Chair
Senator Paul Bettencourt
Senator Dawn Buckingham
Senator Peter Flores
Senator Beverly Powell
Senator Larry Taylor
Senator Kirk Watson

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The chair called the meeting to order at 9:04 AM. The following business was transacted:

The chair laid out SB 1635 and recognized the author, Senator Zaffirini, 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 1635 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out HB 1735 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Watson, to explain the bill.

Senator Watson sent up a committee substitute.  The chair recognized Senator Watson to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the house bill as engrossed.  Senator Creighton moved committee substitute be left pending; 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 Creighton moved that HB 1735 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 1788 and recognized the author, Senator Zaffirini, to explain the bill.

Senator Watson sent up a committee substitute.  The chair recognized Senator Zaffirini 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.

At 9:12 AM Senator Watson assumed the chair.

The chair laid out HB 277 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Creighton, 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 Watson moved that HB 277 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out HB 2963 and recognized Senator Creighton, in the absence of the Senate sponsor, to explain the bill.

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

At 9:18 AM Senator Creighton resumed the chair.

At 9:19 AM roll was called. A quorum was present.

The following members arrived after roll was called:

Senator Paul Bettencourt

Senator Peter Flores

Senator Beverly Powell

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 1441.

Senator Watson moved that SB 1441 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, Flores, Menendez, and Powell 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 1788.

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

Senator Watson moved that SB 1788 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, Flores, Menendez, and Powell 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 2011.

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

Senator Taylor moved that SB 2011 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, Flores, Menendez, and Powell 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 HB 4465 in lieu of SB 1163 by Senator Bettencourt.

Senator Taylor moved that HB 4465 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, Flores, and Menendez 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 HB 1516 in lieu of SB 1198 by Senator Miles.

Senator West moved that HB 1516 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, Flores, and Menendez 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 HB 1702 and recognized Senator Watson, in the absence of the Senate sponsor, 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 HB 1702 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out HB 1065 and recognized Senator West, in the absence of the Senate sponsor, 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 Creighton moved that HB 1065 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

There being no further business, at 9:26 AM Senator Buckingham 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