MINUTES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION

Thursday, April 27, 2023

8:30 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 Education was held on Thursday, April 27, 2023, in the Capitol Extension, Room E1.028, at Austin, Texas.

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MEMBERS PRESENT:		MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Brandon Creighton, Chair		None
Senator Donna Campbell, Vice Chair
Senator Paul Bettencourt
Senator Brian Birdwell
Senator Pete Flores
Senator Phil King
Senator Morgan LaMantia
Senator José Menéndez
Senator Mayes Middleton
Senator Tan Parker
Senator Angela Paxton
Senator Drew Springer
Senator Royce West

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The chair called the meeting to order at 8:37 AM. A quorum was established at 8:45 AM, and the following business was transacted:

The chair laid out SB 2273 and recognized the author, Senator Kolkhorst, to explain the bill.

Senator Flores sent up a committee substitute. The chair recognized Senator Kolkhorst to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed. Senator Flores 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 Creighton moved that SB 2273 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 418.

Senator Parker moved that SB 418 do not pass but that CSSB 418 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 12 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.

Senator Flores 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 595.

Senator Springer moved that SB 595 do not pass but that CSSB 595 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, 3 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 668.

Senator Menéndez moved that SB 668 do not pass but that CSSB 668 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 13 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.

Senator Menéndez 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 1471.

Senator Paxton moved that SB 1471 do not pass but that CSSB 1471 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 13 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.

Senator Campbell 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 1506.

Senator Paxton moved that SB 1506 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 13 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 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 1557.

A committee substitute was sent up and explained on April 19, 2023. Senator Bettencourt moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Bettencourt moved that SB 1557 do not pass but that CSSB 1557 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, 3 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 1567.

Senator Bettencourt moved that SB 1567 do not pass but that CSSB 1567 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 13 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.

Senator Menéndez 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 2304.

Senator Menéndez moved that SB 2304 do not pass but that CSSB 2304 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 13 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.

Senator Menéndez 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 2403.

Senator Bettencourt moved that SB 2403 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 13 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 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 2497.

Senator Springer sent up a committee substitute. The chair recognized Senator Middleton 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.

Senator Bettencourt moved that SB 2497 do not pass but that CSSB 2497 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 13 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.

Senator Campbell assumed the chair.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 1489.

The subcommittee report for SB 1489 was laid out by Senator Campbell. Senator Flores moved adoption of the subcommittee report; there being no objection, it was so ordered. Senator Flores moved that SB 1489 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, 3 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 2428.

Senator Flores moved that SB 2428 do not pass but that CSSB 2428 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 13 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.

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

Senator Creighton resumed the chair.

The chair laid out SB 1148 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 Creighton moved that SB 1148 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Campbell assumed the chair.

The chair laid out SB 2422 and recognized Senator Birdwell, in the absence of the author, to explain the bill.

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

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 Campbell moved that SB 2422 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Birdwell assumed the chair.

The chair laid out SB 979 and recognized the author, Senator Campbell, 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 Birdwell moved that SB 979 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 165 and recognized the author, Senator Campbell, to explain the bill.

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

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 Birdwell moved that SB 165 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Campbell resumed the chair.

The chair laid out SB 2068 and recognized Senator Birdwell, in the absence of the author, to explain the bill.

Senator Menéndez sent up a committee substitute. The chair recognized Senator Birdwell to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed. The committee substitute was left pending.

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 Campbell moved that SB 2068 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 2140 and recognized the author, Senator Parker, to explain the bill.

Senator Birdwell sent up a committee substitute. The chair recognized Senator Parker to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed. The committee substitute was left pending.

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

Senator Campbell moved that SB 2140 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

At 10:49 AM Senator Campbell moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of the chair. Without objection, it was so ordered.

Pursuant to a motion made by Senator Campbell to suspend Senate Rules 11.10 and 11.18, and adopted by the Senate, the Senate Committee on Education reconvened at 2:11 PM at the back rail of the Senate Chamber.

Senator Campbell called the meeting to order, the clerk called the roll and a quorum was present.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 1664.

Senator Menéndez moved that SB 1664 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 12 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent. Senator Flores, Senator Parker, and Senator Creighton submitted motions in writing requesting consent to be shown voting aye.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 629.

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 Menéndez moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator West moved that SB 629 do not pass but that CSSB 629 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 12 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent. Senator Flores, Senator Parker, and Senator Creighton submitted motions in writing requesting consent to be shown voting aye.

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

There being no further business, at 2:15 PM Senator Campbell moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of the chair. Without objection, it was so ordered.

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Senator Brandon Creighton, Chair

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Abby Johnston, Clerk