MINUTES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION K-16

Thursday, March 13, 2025

10:00 AM or upon adjournment/recess

Betty King Committee Room

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Pursuant to suspension of Senate Rule 11.10 and 11.18, a public hearing of the Senate Committee on Education K-16 was held on Thursday, March 13, 2025, in the Betty King Committee Room at Austin, Texas.

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MEMBERS PRESENT:	MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Brandon Creighton, Chair	Senator Phil King
Senator Donna Campbell, Vice Chair
Senator Paul Bettencourt
Senator Brent Hagenbuch
Senator Adam Hinojosa
Senator José Menéndez
Senator Mayes Middleton
Senator Tan Parker
Senator Angela Paxton
Senator Royce West

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The chair called the meeting to order at 11:48 AM. There being a quorum present, the following business was transacted:

The chair laid out SB 57 as a matter of pending business.

Senator Campbell sent up a committee substitute.  The chair recognized Senator Zaffirini 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.

Senator West moved that SB 57 do not pass but that CSSB 57 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 West moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 24 as a matter of pending business.

Senator Parker moved that SB 24 do not pass but that CSSB 24 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.

The chair laid out SB 112 as a matter of pending business.

Senator Parker moved that SB 112 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 SB 204 as a matter of pending business.

Senator Middleton moved that SB 204 do not pass but that CSSB 204 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 Campbell moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 371 as a matter of pending business.

Senator Parker moved that SB 371 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 400.

Senator Middleton moved that SB 400 do not pass but that CSSB 400 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.

The chair laid out SB 609 as a matter of pending business.

Senator Hagenbuch moved that SB 609 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 8 ayes, 0 nays, 2 present not voting, and 1 absent.

The chair laid out SB 686 as a matter of pending business.

Senator Parker moved that SB 686 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.

The chair laid out SB 1447 as a matter of pending business.

Senator Campbell moved that SB 1447 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 SCR 5 as a matter of pending business.

Senator West moved that SCR 5 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 SJR 12 as a matter of pending business.

Senator Parker moved that SJR 12 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 9 ayes, 1 nay, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.

Senator Campbell assumed the chair.

The chair laid out SB 12 as a matter of pending business.

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

Senator Paxton moved that SB 12 do not pass but that CSSB 12 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 8 ayes, 2 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.

Senator Creighton resumed the chair.

There being no further business, at 12:19 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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Carmen Fish, Clerk