MINUTES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION

Thursday, May 4, 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, May 4, 2023, in the Capitol Extension, Room E1.028, at Austin, Texas.

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MEMBERS PRESENT:	MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Brandon Creighton, Chair	Senator Brian Birdwell
Senator Donna Campbell, Vice Chair
Senator Paul Bettencourt
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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Senator Donna Campbell, the acting chair, called the meeting to order at 8:32 AM. A quorum was established at 8:54 AM, and the following business was transacted:

The chair laid out HB 584 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Zaffirini, 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 Campbell moved that HB 584 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out HB 473 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Sparks, to explain the bill.

Senator Paxton sent up a committee substitute.  The chair recognized Senator Sparks to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the house bill as engrossed.  Senator Campbell moved that the 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.

Senator Campbell moved that HB 473 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 2518 and recognized the author, Senator Blanco, 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 Campbell moved that SB 2518 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out HB 1912 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator West, to explain the bill.

No witnesses registered or testified on the bill. 

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

Senator Campbell moved that HB 1912 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out HB 2871 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Paxton, to explain the bill.

Senator Flores sent up a committee substitute.  The chair recognized Senator Paxton to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the house bill as engrossed.  Senator Flores 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 HB 2871 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out HB 2484 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator LaMantia, 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 Campbell moved that HB 2484 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out HB 3993 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Middleton, 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 Campbell moved that HB 3993 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out HB 1297 and recognized Senator Paxton, in the absence of the Senate sponsor, 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 Campbell moved that HB 1297 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

At 9:11 AM Senator Campbell moved that the committee stand at ease.

At 10:02 AM Senator Creighton called the meeting back to order.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business HB 2209 in lieu of SB 992 by Senator Hinojosa.

Senator West sent up a committee substitute.  The chair recognized Senator Hinojosa to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the house bill as engrossed.  Senator West moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator West moved that HB 2209 do not pass but that CSHB 2209 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 Parker, Senator Flores, Senator Middleton, Senator LaMantia and Senator Paxton submitted motions in writing requesting consent to be shown voting aye.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 979.

Senator Menéndez moved that SB 979 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 LaMantia submitted motions in writing requesting consent to be shown voting aye.

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 2273.

Senator King moved that SB 2273 do not pass but that CSSB 2273 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 LaMantia submitted motions in writing requesting consent to be shown voting aye.

The chair submitted paperwork recommending that the bill be placed on the Local & Uncontested Calendar.

Senator Campbell assumed the chair.

The subcommittee report for SB 2029 was laid out by Senator Campbell. Senator Middleton moved adoption of the subcommittee report; there being no objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Middleton moved that SB 2029 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, Senator King and Senator LaMantia submitted motions in writing requesting consent to be shown voting aye.

Senator Paxton 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 2422.

Senator Paxton moved that SB 2422 do not pass but that CSSB 2422 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, Senator King and Senator LaMantia submitted motions in writing requesting consent to be shown voting aye.

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

Senator Creighton resumed the chair.

There being no further business, at 10:12 AM Senator Creighton 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