MINUTES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION

Wednesday, May 17, 2023

9:00 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 Wednesday, May 17, 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 called the meeting to order at 9:09 AM. A quorum was established at 9:50 AM, and the following business was transacted:

The chair laid out HB 1614 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Menéndez, 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 1614 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Menéndez assumed the chair.

The chair laid out HB 4997 and recognized the Senate sponsor, 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 Menéndez moved that HB 4997 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out HB 4372 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Campbell, 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 Menéndez moved that HB 4372 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

The chair laid out HB 1883 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Kolkhorst, 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 Menéndez moved that HB 1883 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out HB 1960 and recognized the Senate sponsor, 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 Menéndez moved that HB 1960 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Creighton assumed the chair.

The chair laid out HB 699 and recognized the Senate sponsor, 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 Creighton moved that HB 699 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out HB 2102 and recognized the Senate sponsor, 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 Creighton moved that HB 2102 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out HB 5167 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Pete Flores, 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 Creighton moved that HB 5167 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out HB 1211 and recognized Senator Menéndez, 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 Creighton moved that HB 1211 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out HB 1590 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator West, to explain the bill.

Senator Menéndez sent up a committee substitute.  The chair recognized Senator West to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the house bill as engrossed.  Senator Menéndez 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 Creighton moved that HB 1590 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out HB 1905 and recognized the Senate sponsor, 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 HB 1905 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out HB 1794 and recognized Senator Springer, 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 Creighton moved that HB 1794 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out HB 3623 and recognized Senator King, 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 Creighton moved that HB 3623 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business HB 1002.

Senator Parker moved that HB 1002 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 Middleton submitted a motion in writing to be shown as voting aye.

Senator Parker 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 4375.

Senator Parker moved that HB 4375 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 Middleton submitted a motion in writing to be shown as voting aye.

The chair submitted paperwork recommending HB 4375 for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar.

The subcommittee report on HB 2177 was laid out by Senator Creighton. Senator Menéndez then moved adoption of the subcommittee report; there being no objection, it was so ordered.

Senator West moved that HB 2177 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, 1 nay, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.

Senator Campbell assumed the chair.

The chair laid out HB 4437 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Creighton, to explain the bill.

Senator Menéndez sent up a committee substitute.  The chair recognized Senator Creighton to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the house bill as engrossed.  Senator Bettencourt 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 4437 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Creighton resumed the chair.

There being no further business, at 10:21 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