MINUTES

 

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HIGHER EDUCATION

Tuesday, August 23, 2016

9:00 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 Committee on Higher Education was held on Tuesday, August 23, 2016, in the Capitol Extension, Room E1.012, at Austin, Texas.

 

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MEMBERS PRESENT:		MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Kel Seliger, Chair		None
Senator Royce West, Vice Chair
Senator Paul Bettencourt
Senator Konni Burton
Senator José Menéndez
Senator Charles Perry
Senator Kirk Watson

 

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The chair called the meeting to order at 9:03 AM. There being a quorum present, the following business was transacted:

 

Senator Perry moved adoption of the minutes from the previous hearing held on May 16, 2016; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out the following interim charge:

 

Conduct a review of all tuition and fee waivers and exemptions, as well as tuition set-asides currently in law, and examine how students who do not receive the benefits of either bear these resulting costs. Study how other states treat similar populations, whether federal benefits are available, and make recommendations to ensure the efficacy of waivers and exemptions, and tuition set-asides. Examine current financial aid programs, studying their efficacy, and make recommendations on how to provide programs to meet the needs of all students in light of the recent repeal of the state's Top 10% Scholarship program and B-On-Time program.

 

The chair then called invited testimony (see attached witness list).

 

The chair then opened public testimony (see attached witness list).

 

The chair moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

There being no further business, at 11:44 AM Senator Seliger moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of the chair. Without objection, it was so ordered.

 

 

 

 

 

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Senator Kel Seliger, Chair

 

 

__________________________________________

Daniel Warner, Clerk