MINUTES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION K-16

Tuesday, April 15, 2025

9:15 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 15, 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 9:27 AM. The following business was transacted:

Senator Bettencourt assumed the chair.

The chair laid out SB 2398 and recognized the author, Senator Campbell, to explain the bill.

Senator Hinojosa sent up a committee substitute. The chair recognized Senator Campbell 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 Bettencourt moved that SB 2398 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Campbell assumed the chair.

The chair laid out SB 865 and recognized the author, Senator Alvarado, to explain the bill.

Senator Hinojosa sent up a committee substitute. The chair recognized Senator Alvarado 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 Campbell moved that SB 865 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Bettencourt assumed the chair.

The chair laid out SB 2920 and recognized the author, 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 Bettencourt moved that SB 2920 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Campbell assumed the chair.

The chair laid out SB 1395 and recognized the author, Senator Hall, 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 1395 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 1581 and recognized the author, Senator Blanco, to explain the bill.

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 1581 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 1972 and recognized the author, 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 Creighton moved that SB 1972 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 401 and recognized the author, Senator Paxton, to explain the bill.

Senator Middleton 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 401 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

A quorum was established at 10:22 AM.

The chair laid out SB 2540 and recognized the author, Senator Nichols, 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 2540 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

At 10:53 AM Senator Creighton moved that the Committee stand recessed until after adjournment of the Senate. Without objection, it was so ordered.

At 5:13 PM Senator Campbell reconvened the meeting.

The chair laid out SB 1635 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 Campbell moved that SB 1635 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 2786.

Senator Paxton moved that SB 2786 do not pass but that CSSB 2786 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 SB 2623.

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

Senator Hagenbuch moved that SB 2623 do not pass but that CSSB 2623 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 Creighton assumed the chair.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 646.

Senator Menéndez moved that SB 646 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, 1 nay, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 843.

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

Senator Middleton moved that SB 843 do not pass but that CSSB 843 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 2392 and recognized the author, Senator King, to explain the bill.

Senator Bettencourt sent up a committee substitute. The chair recognized Senator King 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 Campbell moved that SB 2392 do not pass but that CSSB 2392 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 SB 1998.

Senator Campbell moved that SB 1998 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 1418.

Senator Hagenbuch moved that SB 1418 do not pass but that CSSB 1418 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 Menéndez 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 2788.

Senator Middleton moved that SB 2788 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 Campbell resumed the chair.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 2076.

Senator Menéndez moved that SB 2076 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.

The chair laid out SB 2929 and recognized the author, Senator Creighton, 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 2929 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 2927 and recognized the author, Senator Creighton, 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 2927 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 2619 and recognized the author, Senator Creighton, to explain the bill.

Senator Parker 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.

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 2619 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Creighton assumed the chair.

There being no further business, at 6:22 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