MINUTES

 

SENATE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION

Thursday, May 6, 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, May 6, 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 9:00 AM. A quorum not being present, the following business was transacted: The roll was called at 9:14 AM and a quorum was established. The following members arrived after the roll was called: Senator Hall, Senator Hughes, Senator Menéndez, Senator Schwertner.

At 9:01 AM Senator Lucio, Jr. assumed the chair.

 

The chair laid out SB 2094 and recognized the author, Senator Taylor, to explain the bill.

 

Senator Perry 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 2094 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

At 9:13 AM Senator Taylor resumed the chair.

 

The chair laid out HB 1496 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Lucio, to explain the bill.

 

Senator Lucio, Jr. sent up a committee substitute.  The chair recognized Senator Lucio, Jr. to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the house bill as engrossed.

 

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 HB 1496 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair laid out SB 491 and recognized the author, Senator Paxton, to explain the bill.

 

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

 

Public testimony began on SB 491.

 

At 9:59 AM Senator Taylor moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of the chair. Without objection, it was so ordered.

 

At 12:21 PM Senator Taylor reconvened the meeting.

 

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business HB 725.

 

Senator Powell moved that HB 725 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 Lucio, Senator Hall, and Senator Hughes submitted a motion in writing requesting to be shown voting aye on HB 725.

 

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 HB 785.

 

Senator West moved that HB 785 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 Lucio, Senator Hall, and Senator Hughes submitted a motion in writing requesting to be shown voting aye on HB 785.

 

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business HB 1603.

 

Senator Bettencourt moved that HB 1603 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 Lucio, Senator Hall, and Senator Hughes submitted a motion in writing requesting to be shown voting aye on HB 1603.

 

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 HB 363 in lieu of SB 1526. SB 1526 is the companion bill to HB 363 and was heard in committee on April 22nd and left pending.

 

Senator Perry moved that HB 363 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 Lucio, Senator Hall, and Senator Hughes submitted a motion in writing requesting to be shown voting aye on HB 363.

 

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

 

At 12:24 PM Senator West assumed the chair.

 

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business HB 1147.

 

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 HB 1147 do not pass but that CSHB 1147 be reported back 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 Lucio, Senator Hall, and Senator Hughes submitted a motion in writing requesting to be shown voting aye on HB 1147.

 

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

 

At 12:26 PM Senator Taylor resumed the chair.

 

Public testimony resumed on SB 491.

 

At 12:32 PM Senator West assumed the chair.

 

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.

 

At 12:41 PM Senator Lucio, Jr. assumed the chair.

 

The chair laid out HB 690 and recognized Senator Powell, in the absence of the Senate sponsor, 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 Lucio, Jr. moved that HB 690 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out SB 1968 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 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 Lucio, Jr. moved that SB 1968 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

There being no further business, at 2:19 PM Senator Lucio, Jr. moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of the chair. Without objection, it was so ordered.

 

 

 

 

 

__________________________________________

Senator Larry Taylor, Chair

 

 

__________________________________________

Bradley Hurt, Clerk