MINUTES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HIGHER EDUCATION

Wednesday, May 19, 2021

8:30 AM

Ext. Auditorium

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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 19, 2021, in the Ext. Auditorium.

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MEMBERS PRESENT:	MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Brandon Creighton, Chair	None
Senator Royce West, Vice Chair
Senator Brian Birdwell
Senator César Blanco
Senator Borris Miles
Senator Angela Paxton
Senator Drew Springer
Senator Larry Taylor
Senator Judith Zaffirini

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The chair called the meeting to order at 8:42 AM. There being a quorum present, the following business was transacted:

The chair laid out HB 4383 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Hughes, 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 4383 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 1360 as a matter of pending business.

Senator Springer sent up a committee substitute.  The chair recognized Senator Hughes to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed.  Senator Springer moved that the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Creighton moved that SB 1360 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out HB 1259 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Seliger, 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 1259 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 2005 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 2005 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out HB 3767 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Bettencourt, to explain the bill.

Senator Springer sent up a committee substitute.  The chair recognized Senator Bettencourt to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the house bill as engrossed.  Senator Creighton moved that the 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 3767 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out HB 2827 and recognized the Senate sponsor, 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 HB 2827 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 54.

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

Senator Creighton moved that SB 54 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out HB 4202 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 4202 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out HB 885 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Birdwell, to explain the bill.

Senator Taylor sent up a committee substitute.  The chair recognized Senator Birdwell to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the house bill as engrossed.  Senator Miles moved that the 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 885 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out HB 981 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Miles, to explain the bill.

Senator West sent up a committee substitute.  The chair recognized Senator Miles to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the house bill as engrossed.  Senator Creighton moved that the 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 981 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator West assumed the chair.

The chair laid out HB 1027 and recognized Senator Miles, in the absence of the Senate sponsor, to explain the bill.

Senator Miles sent up a committee substitute.  The chair recognized Senator Miles to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the house bill as engrossed.  Senator West moved that the 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 West moved that HB 1027 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out HB 1522 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Springer, 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 HB 1522 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 54.

Senator Taylor moved that SB 54 do not pass but that CSSB 54 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 Creighton, Paxton and Zaffirini submitted motions in writing requesting consent to be shown voting aye.

Senator Taylor 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 2509.

Senator Birdwell moved that HB 2509 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 Creighton, Paxton and Zaffirini submitted motions in writing requesting consent to be shown voting aye.

Senator Taylor 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 885.

Senator Birdwell moved that HB 885 do not pass but that CSHB 885 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 Creighton, Paxton and Zaffirini submitted motions in writing requesting consent to be shown voting aye.

Senator Birdwell 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 981.

Senator Miles moved that HB 981 do not pass but that CSHB 981 be reported back 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, 1 present not voting, and 0 absent. Senators Creighton, Paxton and Zaffirini submitted motions in writing requesting consent to be shown voting aye.

Senator Miles 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 1027.

Senator Taylor moved that HB 1027 do not pass but that CSHB 1027 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 Creighton, Paxton and Zaffirini submitted motions in writing requesting consent to be shown voting aye.

Senator Taylor 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 1522.

Senator Springer moved that HB 1522 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 Creighton, Paxton and Zaffirini submitted motions in writing requesting consent to be shown voting aye.

Senator Springer 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 2827.

Senator Taylor moved that HB 2827 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 Creighton, Paxton and Zaffirini submitted motions in writing requesting consent to be shown voting aye.

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

Senator Taylor assumed the chair.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business HB 4202.

Senator Miles moved that HB 4202 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 Creighton, Paxton and Zaffirini submitted motions in writing requesting consent to be shown voting aye.

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

Senator West assumed the chair.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business HB 3767.

Senator Taylor moved that HB 3767 do not pass but that CSHB 3767 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 Creighton, Paxton and Zaffirini submitted motions in writing requesting consent to be shown voting aye.

Senator Taylor 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 4383.

Senator Taylor moved that HB 4383 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 Creighton, Paxton and Zaffirini submitted motions in writing requesting consent to be shown voting aye.

Senator Taylor 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 4361.

Senator Taylor moved that HB 4361 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 Creighton, Paxton and Zaffirini submitted motions in writing requesting consent to be shown voting aye.

Senator Taylor 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 1259.

Senator Taylor moved that HB 1259 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 Creighton, Paxton and Zaffirini submitted motions in writing requesting consent to be shown voting aye.

Senator Taylor 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 3348.

Senator Taylor moved that HB 3348 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, 1 nay, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent. Senators Creighton, Paxton and Zaffirini submitted motions in writing requesting consent to be shown voting aye.

Senator Taylor 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 10:13 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 Johnston, Clerk