MINUTES

 

SENATE HIGHER EDUCATION COMMITTEE

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

7:30 AM

Capitol Extension, Room E1.012

 

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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 Higher Education Committee was held on Wednesday, April 27, 2011, in the Capitol Extension, Room E1.012, at Austin, Texas.

 

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MEMBERS PRESENT:

 

MEMBERS ABSENT:

Senator Judith Zaffirini, Chair

 

Senator Joan Huffman

Senator Brian Birdwell, Vice Chair

 

 

Senator Robert Duncan

 

OTHER LEGISLATIVE

Senator Kirk Watson

 

MEMBERS PRESENT:

Senator Jeff Wentworth

 

Senator Rodney Ellis

Senator Royce West

 

Senator Eddie Lucio

 

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The Chair called the meeting to order at 7:30 a.m. There being a quorum present, the following business was transacted:

 

Senator Birdwell moved that the minutes of the April 20, 2011, hearing be approved. The motion was adopted by unanimous consent.

 

The Chair laid out SB 1909 and recognized the author, Senator Lucio, to explain the bill. Senator Watson sent up the committee substitute for SB 1909. The Chair recognized Senator Lucio to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the Senate bill as filed. Senator Watson moved adoption of CSSB 1909. The motion was adopted by unanimous consent.    CSSB 1909 was left pending.

 

At 7:35 a.m. Senator Birdwell assumed the chair.

 

The Chair laid out SB 1731 and recognized the author, Senator Zaffirini, to explain the bill.     SB 1731 was left pending.

The Chair laid out HB 1000 by Representative Branch and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Zaffirini, to explain the bill. Senator Zaffirini sent up the committee substitute for       HB 1000. The committee substitute was not adopted. The Chair recognized Senator Zaffirini to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the Senate bill as filed. HB 1000 was left pending.

 

At 7:41 a.m. Senator Zaffirini re-assumed the chair.

 

The Chair laid out anew CSSB 1909 by Senator Lucio 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 Watson moved that SB 1909 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 6 ayes and 0 nays, the committee substitute for      SB 1909 was reported favorably. Senator Watson moved that CSSB 1909 be recommended for the Local and Uncontested Calendar. The motion was adopted by unanimous consent.

 

The Chair laid out anew SB 1731 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. Senator Birdwell moved that SB 1731 be reported to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. There being 6 ayes and 0 nays, SB 1731 was reported favorably. Senator Birdwell moved that SB 1731 be recommended for the Local and Uncontested Calendar. The motion was adopted by unanimous consent.

 

The Chair laid out anew HB 1000 by Representative Branch and 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. HB 1000 was left pending.

 

At 8:35 a.m. Senator Birdwell assumed the chair.

 

The Chair laid out anew SB 40 by Senator Zaffirini. Senator Zaffirini sent up a new committee substitute for SB 40. The Chair recognized Senator Zaffirini to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the Senate bill as filed. Senator Zaffirini moved adoption of    CSSB 40. The motion was adopted by unanimous consent. Senator Zaffirini moved that SB 40 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 6 ayes and 0 nays, the committee substitute for SB 40 was reported favorably. Senator Zaffirini moved that CSSB 40 be recommended for the Local and Uncontested Calendar. The motion was adopted by unanimous consent.

 

Having been present during the hearing, Senator Wentworth requested unanimous consent to be shown voting aye on SB 40. The motion was adopted by unanimous consent, and his vote was included in the total vote count.

 

Having been present during the hearing, Senator West requested unanimous consent to be shown voting aye on SB 40, SB 1731, and SB 1909. The motion was adopted by unanimous consent, and his votes were included in the total vote count.

 

No action was taken on SB 1631.

 

There being no further business, at 8:41 a.m. Senator Birdwell moved that the Senate Higher

Education Committee stand in recess, subject to the call of the Chair. The motion was

adopted by unanimous consent.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

 

Senator Judith Zaffirini, Chair

 

 

 

 

Gonzalo Serrano, Clerk