MINUTES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION K-16

Tuesday, March 25, 2025

8:00 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 K-16 was held on Tuesday, March 25, 2025, 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 Brent Hagenbuch
Senator Adam Hinojosa
Senator Phil King
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 8:41 AM. The following business was transacted:

The chair laid out SB 870 and recognized the author, Senator Birdwell, 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 Creighton moved that SB 870 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 1871 and recognized the author, Senator Perry, to explain the bill.

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

A quorum was established at 9:10 AM.  

The following members arrived after the roll was called:

Senator Brent Hagenbuch

Senator Phil King

Senator José Menéndez

Senator Mayes Middleton

Senator Tan Parker

The chair laid out SB 1872 and recognized the author, Senator Perry, to explain the bill.

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

Senator Bettencourt moved the adoption of the committee substitute for Senate Bill 1871; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Campbell moved the adoption of the committee substitute for Senate Bill 1872; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 1873 and recognized the author, Senator Perry, to explain the bill.

The chair laid out SB 1874 and recognized the author, Senator Perry, to explain the bill.

Senator Campbell assumed the chair.

The chair laid out SB 1924 and recognized the author, Senator Creighton, to explain the bill.

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

Senator Menéndez assumed the chair.

Senator Campbell resumed the chair.

At 10:51 AM Senator Campbell moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of the chair. Without objection, it was so ordered.

At 4:10 PM Senator Campbell reconvened the meeting.

Public testimony for committee substitutes for Senate bills 1871, 1872, 1924, and Senate bills 1873, and 1874 as filed resumed.

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 CSSB 1871 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Campbell moved that CSSB 1872 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Campbell moved that SB 1873 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Campbell moved that SB 1874 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Campbell moved that CSSB 1924 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Creighton resumed the chair.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 207. Senator Hagenbuch moved that SB 207 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 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 568. Senator Parker 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 Parker moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Paxton moved that SB 568 do not pass but that CSSB 568 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.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business CSSB 920. Senator Paxton moved that CSSB 920 do not pass but that CSSB 920 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.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 1207. Senator Hinojosa moved that SB 1207 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 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 CSSB 1396. Senator Paxton moved that SB 1396 do not pass but that CSSB 1396 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 9 ayes, 2 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 1619. Senator Menéndez moved that SB 1619 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 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 1273 and Senator Creighton, in the absence of the author, explained the bill.

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

Senator Bettencourt moved that SB 1273 do not pass but that CSSB 1273 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 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 CSSB 1741. Senator Creighton moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator King moved that SB 1741 do not pass but that CSSB 1741 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.

The chair laid out SB 326 and recognized the author, Senator King, to explain the bill.

Senator Campbell assumed the chair.

Senator Creighton resumed 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.

Senator Creighton moved that SB 326 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 226 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 226 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 605 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 605 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Campbell assumed the chair.

The chair laid out SB 27 and recognized the author, Senator Creighton, to explain the bill.

Senator Bettencourt 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 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 Paxton moved that SB 27 do not pass but that CSSB 27 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.

The chair laid out SB 570 and SB 991 and recognized the author, Senator Bettencourt, to explain the bills.

Witnesses testifying and registering on the bills 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 570 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

Senator Campbell moved that SB 991 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 1925 and recognized the author, Senator Creighton, to explain the bill.

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 Menéndez assumed the chair.

Senator Campbell resumed 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.

Senator Campbell moved that SB 1925 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

There being no further business, at 8:42 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