MINUTES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION

Thursday, March 25, 2021

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 Education was held on Thursday, March 25, 2021, in the Capitol Extension, Room E1.012, at Austin, Texas.

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MEMBERS PRESENT:	MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Larry Taylor, Chair	None
Senator Eddie Lucio, Jr., Vice Chair
Senator Paul Bettencourt
Senator Bob Hall
Senator Bryan Hughes
Senator José Menéndez
Senator Angela Paxton
Senator Charles Perry
Senator Beverly Powell
Senator Charles Schwertner
Senator Royce West

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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:

The following members arrived after the roll was called: Senator Schwertner

The chair laid out SB 289 and recognized the author, Senator Seliger, 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 Taylor moved that SB 289 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 226 and recognized the author, Senator Paxton, 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 Taylor moved that SB 226 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 179 and recognized the author, Senator Lucio, to explain the bill.

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

Senator Powell moved that SB 179 do not pass but that CSSB 179 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 8 ayes, 1 nay, 1 present not voting, and 1 absent.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 204.

Senator Perry moved that SB 204 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 10 ayes, 1 nay, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent. Senator Schwertner submitted a motion in writing requesting to be shown voting aye on SB 204.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 338.

Senator Powell moved that SB 338 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 11 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent. Senator Schwertner submitted a motion in writing requesting to be shown voting aye on SB 338.

Senator Bettencourt 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 442 and recognized the author, Senator Hughes, to explain the bill. Senator Hughes moved to withdraw the committee substitute considered at March 18, 2021 hearing. There being no objection, it was so ordered.

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

Senator Hughes moved that SB 442 do not pass but that CSSB 442 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, 2 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.

The chair laid out SB 1365 and recognized the author, Senator Bettencourt, to explain the bill.

Senator Bettencourt 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 Bettencourt withdrew the committee substitute.

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 Taylor moved that SB 1365 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 481 and recognized the author, Senator Kolkhorst, to explain the bill.

Senator Perry sent up a committee substitute.  The chair recognized Senator Kolkhorst to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed.

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 Taylor moved that SB 481 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 203 and recognized the author, Senator Schwertner, 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 Taylor moved that SB 203 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

At 11:20 AM Senator West assumed the chair.

The chair laid out SB 1171 and recognized the author, Senator Taylor, to explain the bill.

Senator Taylor sent up a committee substitute.  The chair recognized Senator Taylor to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed.

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 West moved that SB 1171 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

At 11:36 AM Senator Taylor resumed the chair.

The chair laid out SB 28 and recognized the author, Senator Bettencourt, to explain the bill.

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

At 11:59 AM Senator Taylor moved that the Committee stand recessed until fifteen minutes after adjournment. Without objection, it was so ordered.

At 3:32 PM Senator Taylor reconvened the meeting.

Public testimony resumed on SB 28.

Witnesses testifying and registering are shown on the attached list.

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

Senator Taylor moved that SB 28 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

There being no further business, at 6:16 PM Senator Taylor moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of the chair. Without objection, it was so ordered.

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Senator Larry Taylor, Chair

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Bradley Hurt, Clerk