MINUTES

 

SENATE HIGHER EDUCATION COMMITTEE

Wednesday, May 4, 2011

7:30 AM

Capitol Extension, Room E1.012

 

*****

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, May 4, 2011, in the Capitol Extension, Room E1.012, at Austin, Texas.

 

*****

 

MEMBERS PRESENT:		MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Judith Zaffirini, Chair		None
Senator Brian Birdwell, Vice Chair
Senator Robert Duncan		OTHER LEGISLATIVE
Senator Joan Huffman		MEMBERS PRESENT:
Senator Kirk Watson		Senator José Rodríguez
Senator Jeff Wentworth
Senator Royce West

*****

 

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 27, 2011, hearing be approved. The motion was adopted by unanimous consent.

 

The Chair laid out SB 1763 by Senator Rodríguez and recognized the author to explain the bill. Senator Wentworth sent up the committee substitute for SB 1763. The committee substitute was not adopted. The Chair recognized Senator Rodríguez to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the Senate bill as filed. SB 1763 was left pending.

 

The Chair laid out HB 650 by Representative Castro and recognized Senator Watson to explain the bill on behalf of the Senate sponsor, Senator Uresti. HB 650 was left pending.

 

At 7:36 a.m. Senator Birdwell assumed the chair.

 

The Chair laid out SB 200 and recognized the author, Senator Zaffirini, to explain the bill. Senator Watson sent up the committee substitute for SB 200. 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 200. The motion was adopted by unanimous consent. CSSB 200 was left pending.

 

The Chair laid out SB 774 and recognized the author, Senator Zaffirini, to explain the bill.       SB 774 was left pending.

 

The Chair laid out SB 1723 and recognized the author, Senator Zaffirini, to explain the bill.      SB 1723 was left pending.

 

The Chair laid out HB 2631 by Representative Branch and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Zaffirini, to explain the bill. HB 2631 was left pending.

 

At 7:42 a.m. Senator Zaffirini re-assumed the chair.

 

The Chair laid out anew SB 200 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 Wentworth moved that SB 200 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 7 ayes and 0 nays, SB 200 was reported favorably. Senator Wentworth moved that SB 200 be recommended for the Local and Uncontested Calendar. The motion was adopted by unanimous consent.

 

The Chair laid out anew HB 2631 by Representative Branch, sponsored by Senator Zaffirini, and opened public testimony. There being no witnesses registered for, against, or on the bill, the Chair closed public testimony. Senator Duncan moved that HB 2631 be reported to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. There being 7 ayes and 0 nays, HB 2631 was reported favorably. Senator Duncan moved that HB 2631 be recommended for the Local and Uncontested Calendar. The motion was adopted by unanimous consent.

 

The Chair laid out anew SB 1723 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 1723 was left pending.

 

The Chair laid out anew HB 650 by Representative Castro, sponsored by Senator Uresti, 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 HB 650 be reported to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. There being 7 ayes and 0 nays, HB 650 was reported favorably. Senator Watson moved that HB 650 be recommended for the Local and Uncontested Calendar. The motion was adopted by unanimous consent.

 

The Chair laid out anew SB 774 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 774 was left pending.

 

 

The Chair laid out anew SB 1763 by Senator Rodríguez 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 adoption of CSSB 1763. The motion was adopted by unanimous consent. Senator Duncan moved that SB 1763 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 1763 was reported favorably.

 

The Chair laid out anew SB 1724 by Senator Zaffirini. Senator Birdwell moved adoption of CSSB 1724. The motion was adopted by unanimous consent. Senator Birdwell moved that       SB 1724 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 1724 was reported favorably. Senator Birdwell moved that SB 1724 be recommended for the Local and Uncontested Calendar. The motion was adopted by unanimous consent.

 

The Chair laid out anew SB 1845 by Senator Lucio. Senator Zaffirini moved that SB 1845 be reported to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. There being 1 aye and 3 nays, SB 1845 failed to be reported favorably.

 

The Chair laid out anew HB 1000 by Representative Branch, sponsored by Senator Zaffirini. HB 1000 was left pending.

 

Having been present during the hearing, Senator Huffman requested unanimous consent to be shown voting aye on SB 1763 and SB 1724. The motion was adopted by unanimous consent, and her votes were included in the total vote count.

 

Having been present during the hearing, Senator West requested unanimous consent to be shown voting aye on SB 1763 and SB 1724. The motion was adopted by unanimous consent, and his votes were included in the total vote count.

 

No action was taken on SB 793.

 

There being no further business, at 8:35 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