MINUTES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION

Tuesday, April 20, 2021

9:00 AM

Capitol Extension, Room E1.028

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Pursuant to suspension of Senate Rule 11.10 and 11.18, a public hearing of the Senate Committee on Education was held on Tuesday, April 20, 2021, in the Capitol Extension, Room E1.028, at Austin, Texas.

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MEMBERS PRESENT:	MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Larry Taylor, Chair	Senator Bryan Hughes
Senator Eddie Lucio, Jr., Vice Chair
Senator Paul Bettencourt
Senator Bob Hall
Senator José Menéndez
Senator Angela Paxton
Senator Charles Perry
Senator Beverly Powell
Senator Charles Schwertner
Senator Royce West

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Senator Eddie Lucio, Jr., the acting chair, called the meeting to order at 9:00 AM. A quorum not being present, the following business was transacted: The roll was called at 9:35AM and a quorum was established. The following members arrived after the roll was called: Senator Taylor, Senator Menéndez.

The chair laid out SB 1716 and recognized Senator Perry, in the absence of the author, to explain the bill.

Senator Perry sent up a committee substitute.  The chair recognized Senator Perry 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 Lucio, Jr. moved that SB 1716 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 980 and recognized the author, Senator Powell, to explain the bill.

Senator Powell sent up a committee substitute.  The chair recognized Senator Powell 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.

At 10:08 AM Senator West assumed the chair.

At 10:13 AM Senator Taylor assumed the chair.

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

The chair laid out SB 1351 and recognized Senator West, in the absence of the author, 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 1351 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 1277 and recognized the author, Senator West, 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 1277 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

At 10:51 AM Senator Lucio, Jr. assumed the chair.

The chair laid out SB 1351 and recognized the author, Senator Miles, 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 Lucio, Jr. moved that SB 1351 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

At 11:04 AM Senator Taylor resumed the chair.

The chair laid out SB 215 and recognized the author, Senator Bettencourt, 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 215 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 2044 and recognized Senator Lucio, Jr., in the absence of the author, 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 2044 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 2050 and recognized the author, Senator Menéndez, to explain the bill.

Senator West 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 West moved the 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 Menéndez moved that SB 2050 do not pass but that CSSB 2050 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 10 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.

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 741.

Senator Bettencourt moved that SB 741 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 6 ayes, 4 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 776.

Senator Lucio, Jr. sent up a committee substitute.  Senator Lucio, Jr. moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Lucio, Jr. moved that SB 776 do not pass but that CSSB 776 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 10 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.

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 2066.

Senator Menéndez moved that SB 2066 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, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.

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 2158.

Senator Paxton sent up a committee substitute.  Senator Paxton moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Paxton moved that SB 2158 do not pass but that CSSB 2158 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 10 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.

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

At 11:37 AM Senator Lucio, Jr. assumed the chair.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 27.

Senator Taylor sent up a committee substitute.  Senator Taylor moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Taylor moved that SB 27 do not pass but that CSSB 27 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 7 ayes, 2 nays, 1 present not voting, and 1 absent.

At 11:53 AM Senator Taylor resumed the chair.

There being no further business, at 11:53 AM 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