MINUTES

 

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HIGHER EDUCATION

Wednesday, April 3, 2019

9:00 AM

Capitol Extension, Room E1.028

 

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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 Wednesday, April 3, 2019, in the Capitol Extension, Room E1.028, at Austin, Texas.

 

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MEMBERS PRESENT:

 

MEMBERS ABSENT:

Senator Brandon Creighton, Chair

 

None

Senator Royce West, Vice Chair

 

 

Senator Paul Bettencourt

 

 

Senator Dawn Buckingham

 

 

Senator Peter Flores

 

 

Senator José Menéndez

 

 

Senator Beverly Powell

 

 

Senator Larry Taylor

 

 

Senator Kirk Watson

 

 

 

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The chair called the meeting to order at 9:01 AM. The following business was transacted: 

 

The chair laid out SB 499 and recognized the author, Senator Seliger, to explain the bill.

 

Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached list.

 

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

 

Senator Creighton moved that SB 499 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out SB 1504 and recognized Senator Menéndez, in the absence of the author, to explain the bill.

 

Senator Menéndez sent up a committee substitute.  The chair recognized Senator Menéndez to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed.  Senator Creighton moved committee substitute be left pending to await a quorum; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached list.

 

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

 

The chair laid out SB 882 and recognized the author, Senator Menéndez, to explain the bill.

 

Senator Powell sent up a committee substitute.  The chair recognized Senator Menéndez to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed.  Senator Creighton moved committee substitute be left pending to await a quorum; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

At 9:28 AM role was called. A quorum was present.

 

The following members arrived after the roll was called:

Senator Royce West

Senator Paul Bettencourt

Senator Peter Flores

Senator Kirk Watson

 

Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached list.

 

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

 

Senator Creighton moved that SB 882 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out SB 945 and recognized the author, Senator Watson, to explain the bill. 

 

Witnesses registering on the bill are shown on the attached list.

 

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

 

Senator Buckingham moved that SB 945 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out SB 1162 and recognized the author, Senator Bettencourt, to explain the bill.

 

Senator Buckingham sent up a committee substitute.  The chair recognized Senator Bettencourt to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed.  Senator Creighton moved adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached list.

 

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

 

Senator Creighton moved that SB 1162 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

At 10:50 AM Senator Creighton moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of the chair. Without objection, it was so ordered.

 

At 3:50 PM Senator West reconvened the meeting.

 

The chair laid out SB 1755 and recognized Senator Watson, in the absence of the author, to explain the bill.

 

Witnesses registering on the bill are shown on the attached list.

 

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

 

Senator West moved that SB 1755 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

At 3:53 PM Senator West moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of the chair. Without objection, it was so ordered.

 

At 3:56 PM Senator Creighton reconvened the meeting. 

 

The chair laid out SB 16 and recognized the author, Senator Hancock, to explain the bill.

 

Senator Buckingham sent up a committee substitute.  The chair recognized Senator Hancock to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed.  Senator Buckingham moved adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached list.

 

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

 

Senator Watson moved that SB 16 do not pass but that CSSB 16 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 9 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent. Senators Menendez, Powell, and Bettencourt submitted motions in writing requesting unanimous consent to be shown voting aye.

 

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 709.

 

Senator Watson moved that SB 709 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 9 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.  Senators Menendez and Powell submitted motions in writing requesting unanimous consent to be shown voting aye.

 

Senator West moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 1017.

 

Senator Buckingham moved that SB 1017 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 9 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.  Senators Menendez and Powell submitted motions in writing requesting unanimous consent to be shown voting aye.

 

Senator Buckingham moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 1378.

 

Senator Taylor moved that SB 1378 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 9 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent. Senators Menendez and Powell submitted motions in writing requesting unanimous consent to be shown voting aye.

 

Senator Taylor moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

Senator West assumed the chair.

 

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 1757.

 

Senator Creighton moved that SB 1757 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 9 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent. Senators Menendez and Powell submitted motions in writing requesting unanimous consent to be shown voting aye.

 

Senator Creighton resumed the chair.

 

There being no further business, at 4:11 PM Senator Creighton moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of the chair. Without objection, it was so ordered.

 

 

 

 

__________________________________________

Senator Brandon Creighton, Chair

 

 

__________________________________________

Abby Romero, Clerk