MINUTES

 

SENATE HIGHER EDUCATION COMMITTEE

Wednesday, April 8, 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, April 8, 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   OTHER LEGISLATIVE MEMBERS PRESENT:   Senator Rodney Ellis Senator Florence Shapiro Senator Leticia Van de Putte Senator Kirk Watson

 

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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: 

 

The chair laid out SB 1760 and recognized the author, Senator Watson, to explain the bill. Senator Patrick sent up the committee substitute for SB 1760, and the chair recognized Senator Watson to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the Senate bill as filed.

 

SB 1760 was left pending.

 

The chair laid out SB 1765 and recognized the author, Senator Watson, to explain the bill. Senator West sent up an amendment for SB 1765, and the chair recognized Senator Watson to explain the amendment.

 

SB 1765 was left pending.

 

The chair laid out SB 2025 and recognized the author, Senator Watson, to explain the bill.

 

SB 2025 was left pending.

 

The chair laid out SB 1941 and recognized the author, Senator Shapiro, to explain the bill.

 

SB 1941 was left pending.

 

The chair laid out SB 845 and recognized the author, Senator Van de Putte, to explain the bill. Senator Patrick sent up the committee substitute for SB 845 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.

 

SB 845 was left pending.

 

The chair laid out SB 1141 and recognized the author, Senator Van de Putte, to explain the bill. Senator Patrick sent up the committee substitute for SB 1141 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.

 

SB 1141 was left pending.

 

The chair laid out SB 154 and recognized the author, Senator Ellis, to explain the bill.

 

SB 154 was left pending.

 

The chair laid out SB 699 and recognized the author, Senator Ellis, to explain the bill.

 

SB 699 was left pending.

 

At 8:38 a.m. Senator West assumed the chair.

 

The chair laid out SB 1796 and recognized the author, Senator Zaffirini, to explain the bill.

 

SB 1796 was left pending.

 

The chair laid out SB 1798 and recognized the author, Senator Zaffirini, to explain the bill.

 

SB 1798 was left pending.

 

At 8:41 a.m. Senator Zaffirini resumed the chair.

 

The chair laid out anew SB 154 by Senator Ellis and opened public testimony. There being no witnesses registered for, against, or on the bill, the chair closed public testimony.

 

SB 154 was left pending.

 

The chair laid out anew SB 699 by Senator Ellis and opened public testimony. Names of witnesses who testified and registered for, against, or on the bill are on the attached list. The chair closed public testimony.

 

SB 699 was left pending.

 

The chair laid out anew SB 845 by Senator Van de Putte and opened public testimony. Names of witnesses who testified and registered for, against, or on the bill are on the attached list. The chair closed public testimony.

 

Senator West moved that SB 845 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 5 ayes and 0 nays, the committee substitute for SB 845 was reported favorably. 

 

The chair laid out anew SB 1141 by Senator Van de Putte and opened public testimony. Names of witnesses who testified and registered for, against, or on the bill are on the attached list. The chair closed public testimony.

 

SB 1141 was left pending.

 

The chair laid out anew SB 1760 by Senator Watson and opened public testimony. Names of witnesses who testified and registered for, against, or on the bill are on the attached list. The chair closed public testimony.

 

SB 1760 was left pending.

 

The chair laid out anew SB 1765 by Senator Watson and opened public testimony. Names of witnesses who testified and registered for, against, or on the bill are on the attached list. The chair closed public testimony.

 

SB 1765 was left pending.

 

At 9:18 a.m. Senator Patrick assumed the chair.

 

The chair laid out anew SB 1796 by Senator Zaffirini and opened public testimony. Names of witnesses who testified and registered for, against, or on the bill are on the attached list. The chair closed public testimony.

 

SB 1798 was left pending.

 

The chair laid out anew SB 1798 by Senator Zaffirini and opened public testimony. Names of witnesses who testified and registered for, against, or on the bill are on the attached list. The chair closed public testimony.

 

SB 1796 was left pending.

 

At 9:24 a.m. Senator Zaffirini resumed the chair.

 

The chair laid out anew SB 1941 by Senator Shapiro and opened public testimony. Names of witnesses who testified and registered for, against, or on the bill are on the attached list. The chair closed public testimony.

 

SB 1941 was left pending.

 

The chair laid out anew SB 2025 by Senator Watson and opened public testimony. Names of witnesses who testified and registered for, against, or on the bill are on the attached list. The chair closed public testimony.

 

SB 2025 was left pending.

 

The chair laid out anew SB 816 by Senator Patrick. Senator Patrick sent up the committee substitute for SB 816, and the chair recognized him to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the Senate bill as filed.

 

SB 816 was left pending.

 

The chair laid out anew SB 174 by Senator Shapiro. Senator Patrick sent up the committee substitute for SB 174, and the chair recognized him to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the Senate bill as filed.

 

SB 174 was left pending.

 

The chair laid out anew SB 1941 by Senator Shapiro. Senator Patrick sent up the committee substitute for SB 1941, and the chair recognized him to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the Senate bill as filed.

 

SB 1941 was left pending.

 

The chair announced that the committee would reconvene upon adjournment of the Senate at Senator Zaffirini's desk.

 

At 9:29 a.m. Senator Patrick moved that the committee stand recessed, subject to the call of the chair. The motion was adopted by unanimous consent.

 

Pursuant to suspension of Senate Rules 11.10 and 11.18, a public hearing of the Senate Higher Education Committee reconvened at Senator Zaffirini's desk upon adjournment of the Senate.

 

The chair called the meeting to order at 7:54 p.m.  The following business was transacted: 

 

The chair laid out anew SB 1141 by Senator Van de Putte.

 

Senator Duncan moved that SB 1141 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 5 ayes and 0 nays, the committee substitute for SB 1141 was reported favorably. 

 

Senator Duncan moved that SB 1141 be recommended for the Local and Uncontested Calendar. The motion was adopted by unanimous consent.

 

The chair laid out anew SB 1760 by Senator Watson.

 

Senator Duncan moved adoption of the committee substitute for SB 1760. The motion was adopted by unanimous consent. Senator Patrick moved that SB 1760 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 5 ayes and 0 nays, the committee substitute for SB 1760 was reported favorably. 

 

The chair laid out anew SB 1796 by Senator Zaffirini. 

 

Senator Patrick moved that SB 1796 be reported to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. There being 5 ayes and 0 nays, SB 1796 was reported favorably. 

 

Senator Patrick moved that SB 1796 be recommended for the Local and Uncontested Calendar. The motion was adopted by unanimous consent.

 

The chair laid out anew SB 1798 by Senator Zaffirini. 

 

Senator Patrick moved that SB 1798 be reported to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. There being 5 ayes and 0 nays, SB 1798 was reported favorably. 

 

Senator Patrick moved that SB 1798 be recommended for the Local and Uncontested Calendar. The motion was adopted by unanimous consent.

 

The chair laid out anew SB 1941 by Senator Shapiro.

 

Senator Duncan moved adoption of the committee substitute for SB 1941. The motion was adopted by unanimous consent. Senator Duncan moved that SB 1941 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 5 ayes and 0 nays, the committee substitute for      SB 1941 was reported favorably. 

 

Senator Duncan moved that SB 1941 be recommended for the Local and Uncontested Calendar. The motion was adopted by unanimous consent.

 

The chair laid out anew SB 2025 by Senator Watson. 

 

Senator Patrick moved that SB 2025 be reported to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. There being 5 ayes and 0 nays, SB 2025 was reported favorably. 

 

Senator Patrick moved that SB 2025 be recommended for the Local and Uncontested Calendar. The motion was adopted by unanimous consent.

 

Senator Duncan moved to reconsider the vote by which SB 2025 was recommended for the Local and Uncontested Calendar. The motion was adopted by unanimous consent, and              SB 2025 was not recommended for the Local and Uncontested Calendar.

 

The chair laid out anew SB 174 by Senator Shapiro.

 

Senator Patrick moved adoption of the committee substitute for SB 174. The motion was adopted by unanimous consent. Senator Patrick moved that SB 174 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 5 ayes and 0 nays, the committee substitute for SB 174 was reported favorably. 

 

Senator Patrick moved that SB 174 be recommended for the Local and Uncontested Calendar. The motion was adopted by unanimous consent.

 

The chair laid out anew SB 816 by Senator Patrick.

 

Senator Patrick moved adoption of the committee substitute for SB 816. The motion was adopted by unanimous consent. Senator Patrick moved that SB 816 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 5 ayes and 0 nays, the committee substitute for SB 816 was reported favorably. 

 

Senator Patrick moved that SB 816 be recommended for the Local and Uncontested Calendar. The motion was adopted by unanimous consent.

 

No action was taken on the following bills that were pending: SB 9, SB 1443, SB 1560.

 

 

 

 

 

There being no further business, at 8:03 p.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