MINUTES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION K-16

Tuesday, April 8, 2025

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 K-16 was held on Tuesday, April 8, 2025, in the Capitol Extension, Room E1.028, 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 9:08 AM. There being a quorum present, the following business was transacted:

The following members arrived after the roll was called:

Senator Mayes Middleton

The chair laid out SB 843 and recognized the author, Senator Kolkhorst, to explain the bill.

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

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

The chair laid out SB 1224 and recognized the author, Senator Sparks, 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 1224 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 747 and recognized Senator Paxton, in the absence of the author, to explain the bill.

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

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

Senator Campbell assumed the chair.

The chair laid out SB 1636 and recognized the author, Senator Hinojosa, Adam, 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 1636 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 2185 and recognized the author, Senator Hinojosa, Adam, 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 2185 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 604 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 604 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

At 10:40 AM Senator Campbell moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of the chair. Without objection, it was so ordered.

At 1:53 PM Senator Creighton reconvened the meeting.

A quorum was established at 2:16 PM.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business committee substitute for SJR 59 and recognized the author, Senator Birdwell, to explain the bill.

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

Senator Creighton moved that SJR 59 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 571 and recognized the author, Senator Bettencourt, to explain the bill.

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

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

The chair reopened public testimony for Senate Bill 747, by Senator King.

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

Senator Creighton moved that SB 747 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SJR 59.

Senator Bettencourt moved that SJR 59 do not pass but that CSSJR 59 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 2361 and recognized Senator Bettencourt, in the absence of the author, to explain the bill.

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

Senator Middleton moved that SB 2361 do not pass but that CSSB 2361 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 as a matter of pending business SB 530.

Senator Bettencourt moved that SB 530 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.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 769.

Senator Bettencourt moved that SB 769 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 1085.

Senator Menéndez moved that SB 1085 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 1242.

Senator Middleton moved that SB 1242 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 as a matter of pending business SB 1490.

Senator Middleton moved that SB 1490 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 as a matter of pending business SB 2231.

Senator Menéndez moved that SB 2231 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 2431.

Senator Bettencourt moved that SB 2431 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.

Senator Campbell assumed the chair.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 1262 and recognized Senator Creighton, in the absence of the author, to explain the bill.

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

Senator Creighton moved that SB 1262 do not pass but that CSSB 1262 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 as a matter of pending business SB 2138.

Senator Creighton moved that SB 2138 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, 2 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 2314.

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

Senator Middleton moved that SB 2314 do not pass but that CSSB 2314 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 as a matter of pending business SB 1409.

Senator Paxton sent up a committee substitute. The chair recognized Senator Parker 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 moved that SB 1409 do not pass but that CSSB 1409 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, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 2 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 SB 1832 and recognized the author, Senator Parker, 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 1832 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Creighton resumed the chair.

The chair laid out SB 2392 and recognized Senator Paxton, in the absence of the author, to explain the bill.

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

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 2392 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Campbell assumed the chair.

The chair laid out SB 2395 and recognized the author, Senator Creighton, 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 SB 2395 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 2623 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.

The chair laid out SB 2624 and recognized the author, Senator Creighton, to explain the bill.

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 2624 and SB 2624 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Creighton resumed the chair.

There being no further business, at 5:09 PM Senator Hinojosa 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