MINUTES

 

SENATE HIGHER EDUCATION COMMITTEE

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

8:00 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, March 9, 2011, in the Capitol Extension, Room E1.012, at Austin, Texas.

 

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MEMBERS PRESENT:

 

MEMBERS ABSENT:

Senator Judith Zaffirini, Chair

 

None

Senator Brian Birdwell, Vice Chair

 

 

Senator Robert Duncan

 

 

Senator Joan Huffman

 

 

Senator Kirk Watson

 

 

Senator Jeff Wentworth

 

 

Senator Royce West

 

 

 

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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 Birdwell moved that the minutes of the March 2, 2011, hearing be approved. The motion was adopted by unanimous consent.

 

The chair laid out SB 633 and recognized Senator Watson, to explain the bill by Senator Hinojosa. SB 633 was left pending.

 

At 8:03 a.m. Senator Birdwell assumed the chair.

 

The Chair laid out SB 28 and recognized the author, Senator Zaffirini, to explain the bill. SB 28 was left pending.

The Chair laid out SB 282 and recognized the author, Senator Zaffirini, to explain the bill. Senator Zaffirini sent up the committee substitute for SB 282 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. CSSB 282 was left pending.

 

The Chair laid out SB 850 and recognized the author, Senator Zaffirini, to explain the bill. Senator Zaffirini sent up the committee substitute for SB 850 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. CSSB 850 was left pending.

 

The Chair laid out SB 851 and recognized the author, Senator Zaffirini, to explain the bill. Senator Zaffirini sent up the committee substitute for SB 851 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. CSSB 851 was left pending.

At 8:24 a.m. Senator Zaffirini re-assumed the chair.

 

The Chair laid out anew SB 633 by Senator Hinojosa 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 633 be reported to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. There being 7 ayes and 0 nays, SB 633 was reported favorably. Senator Watson moved that SB 633 be recommended for the Local and Uncontested Calendar. The motion was adopted by unanimous consent.

At 8:26 a.m. Senator Birdwell assumed the chair.

The Chair laid out anew CSSB 282 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 Zaffirini moved that SB 282 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, the committee substitute for SB 282 was reported favorably. Senator Zaffirini moved that CSSB 282 be recommended for the Local and Uncontested Calendar. The motion was adopted by unanimous consent.

The Chair laid out anew CSSB 850 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 Zaffirini moved that SB 850 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, the committee substitute for SB 850 was reported favorably. Senator Zaffirini moved that CSSB 850 be recommended for the Local and Uncontested Calendar. The motion was adopted by unanimous consent.

The Chair laid out anew CSSB 851 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 Zaffirini moved that SB 851 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, the committee substitute for SB 851 was reported favorably. Senator Zaffirini moved that CSSB 851 be recommended for the Local and Uncontested Calendar. The motion was adopted by unanimous consent.

The Chair laid out anew SB 28 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 28 was left pending.

At 9:26 a.m. Senator Zaffirini re-assumed the chair.

 

Having been present during the hearing, Senator Wentworth requested unanimous consent to be shown voting aye on CSSB 282 and CSSB 850. The motion was adopted by unanimous consent, and his votes were included in the total vote count.

 

Having been present during the hearing, Senator Watson requested unanimous consent to be shown voting aye on CSSB 282, CSSB 850, and CSSB 851. The motion was adopted by unanimous consent, and his votes were included in the total vote count.

 

There being no further business, at 9:28 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.

 

 

 

___________________________

Senator Judith Zaffirini, Chair

 

 

 

___________________________

Gonzalo Serrano, Clerk