MINUTES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HIGHER EDUCATION

Wednesday, May 8, 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 8, 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 9:08 AM. There being a quorum present, the following business was transacted:

The chair laid out HB 2709 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Perry, 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 2709 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out HB 539 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Kolkhorst, 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 539 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out HB 2140 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Powell, to explain the bill.

Senator Watson sent up a committee substitute.  The chair recognized Senator Powell to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the house bill as engrossed.  Senator Watson moved adoption of the committee substitute; 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 Creighton moved that HB 2140 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out HB 3808 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Powell, 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 3808 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Watson assumed the chair.

The chair laid out HB 2968 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 2968 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out HB 3165 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Creighton, 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 3165 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Creighton resumed the chair.

The chair laid out HB 1592 and recognized the Senate sponsor, 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 Creighton moved that HB 1592 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business HB 80.

Senator Watson moved that HB 80 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 6 ayes, 2 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent. Senator Buckingham submitted a motion in writing requesting consent to be shown voting nay.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business HB 277.

Senator Taylor moved that HB 277 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 8 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent. Senator Buckingham 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 HB 1065.

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 HB 1065 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 8 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent. Senator Buckingham submitted a motion in writing requesting unanimous consent to be shown voting aye.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business HB 1702.

Senator Watson moved that HB 1702 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 8 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent. Senator Buckingham submitted a motion 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 2963.

Senator Bettencourt moved that HB 2963 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 8 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent. Senator Buckingham 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 HB 3655.

Senator Taylor moved that HB 3655 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 8 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent. Senator Buckingham 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 HB 1735.

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 HB 1735 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 8 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent. Senator Buckingham submitted a motion 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.

There being no further business, at 9:43 AM Senator Creighton 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