MINUTES

 

SENATE HIGHER EDUCATION COMMITTEE

Wednesday, March 4, 2009

8:00 a.m.

Capitol Extension, Room E1.012

 

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Pursuant to a notice posted in accordance with Senate Rule 11.18, a public hearing of the Senate Committee on Higher Education was held on Wednesday, March 4, 2009, in the Capitol Extension, Room E1.012, at Austin, Texas.

 

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MEMBERS PRESENT:

 

MEMBERS ABSENT:

Senator Judith Zaffirini, Chair

Senator Dan Patrick, Vice Chair

Senator Kip Averitt

Senator Robert Duncan

Senator Royce West

 

None

 

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The chair called the meeting to order at 8:00 a.m.  There being a quorum present, the following business was transacted: 

 

Senator Patrick moved that the minutes of the February 11, 2009, hearing be approved. The motion was adopted by unanimous consent. 

 

The chair laid out SB 93 and recognized the author, Senator Van de Putte, to explain the bill. Senator Patrick sent up the committee substitute for SB 93 and moved its adoption. The motion was adopted by unanimous consent. The chair recognized Senator Van de Putte to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the Senate bill as filed.

 

Names of witnesses who testified and registered for, against, or on the bill are on the attached list. The chair closed public testimony.

 

Senator Patrick moved that SB 93 be reported to the Senate with the recommendation that it do not pass, but that the committee substitute adopted in lieu thereof do pass and be printed. There being 4 ayes and 0 nays, the committee substitute for SB 93 was reported favorably. 

 

Having been present during the hearing, Senator West requested unanimous consent to be shown voting aye on SB 93. The motion was adopted by unanimous consent, and his vote was included in the total vote count.

 

The chair laid out SB 504 and recognized Senator Patrick to explain the bill by Senator Ogden.

 

Names of witnesses who testified and registered for, against, or on the bill are on the attached list. The chair closed public testimony.

 

SB 504 was left pending.

 

At 8:19 a.m. Senator Patrick assumed the chair.

 

The chair laid out SB 44 and recognized the author, Senator Zaffirini, to explain the bill. Senator Zaffirini sent up the committee substitute for SB 44 and moved its adoption. The motion was adopted by unanimous consent. The chair recognized Senator Zaffirini to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the Senate bill as filed.

 

Names of witnesses who testified and registered for, against, or on the bill are on the attached list. The chair closed public testimony.

 

Senator Zaffirini moved that SB 44 be reported to the Senate with the recommendation that it do not pass, but that the committee substitute adopted in lieu thereof do pass and be printed. There being 4 ayes and 0 nays, the committee substitute for SB 44 was reported favorably. 

 

Having been present during the hearing, Senator Duncan requested unanimous consent to be shown voting aye on SB 44. The motion was adopted by unanimous consent, and his vote was included in the total vote count.

 

Senator Zaffirini moved that SB 44 be recommended for the Local and Uncontested Calendar. The motion was adopted by unanimous consent.

 

At 8:34 a.m. Senator Zaffirini resumed the chair.

 

The chair laid out anew SB 504 by Senator Ogden. Senator Patrick moved that SB 504 be reported to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. There being 4 ayes and 0 nays, SB 504 was reported favorably. 

 

Having been present during the hearing, Senator Duncan requested unanimous consent to be shown voting aye on SB 504. The motion was adopted by unanimous consent, and his vote was included in the total vote count.

 

Senator Patrick moved that SB 504 be recommended for the Local and Uncontested Calendar. The motion was adopted by unanimous consent.

 

The chair laid out SB 175 and recognized the author, Senator Shapiro, to explain the bill.

 

Names of witnesses who testified and registered for, against, or on the bill are on the attached list.

 

At 9:52 a.m. Senator Patrick assumed the chair.

 

At 9:55 a.m. Senator Zaffirini resumed the chair.

 

The chair closed public testimony.

 

SB 175 was left pending.

 

At 10:28 a.m. Senator Duncan assumed the chair.

 

The chair laid out SB 65 and recognized the author, Senator Zaffirini, to explain the bill.

 

Names of witnesses who testified and registered for, against, or on the bill are on the attached list. The chair closed public testimony.

 

Senator Zaffirini moved that SB 65 be reported to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. There being 5 ayes and 0 nays, SB 65 was reported favorably. 

 

Having been present during the hearing, Senator Patrick requested unanimous consent to be shown voting aye on SB 65. The motion was adopted by unanimous consent, and his vote was included in the total vote count.

 

Senator Zaffirini moved that SB 65 be recommended for the Local and Uncontested Calendar. The motion was adopted by unanimous consent.

 

At 10:40 a.m. Senator Zaffirini resumed the chair and laid out anew SB 175 by Senator Shapiro.

 

Senator Duncan moved that SB 175 be reported to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. There being 5 ayes and 1 nay, SB 175 was reported favorably. 

 

There being no further business, at 10:40 a.m. Senator Patrick moved that the committee stand recessed, subject to the call of the chair. The motion was adopted by unanimous consent.

 

 

 

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Senator Judith Zaffirini, Chair

 

 

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Lauren Cook, Clerk