MINUTES

 

SENATE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION

Monday, November 6, 2017

10:00 AM

4450 University Drive, Houston, Texas, 77204

 

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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 Monday, November 6, 2017, at 4450 University Drive, Houston, Texas, 77204.

 

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MEMBERS PRESENT:

 

MEMBERS ABSENT:

Senator Larry Taylor, Chair

 

Senator Eddie Lucio, Jr., Vice Chair

Senator Paul Bettencourt

 

Senator Bob Hall

Senator Donna Campbell

 

Senator Kel Seliger

Senator Don Huffines

 

Senator Royce West

Senator Bryan Hughes

 

 

Senator Van Taylor

 

 

Senator Carlos Uresti

 

 

 

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The chair called the meeting to order at 10:05 AM. The following business was transacted:

 

The Senate Education Committee considered the following interim charges:

 

1) Assess and make recommendations for state and local K-12 hurricane recovery efforts. Examine the crisis management response of the Texas Education Agency and identify changes to the Education Code that would expedite the state response to school districts and public charter schools in the aftermath of any disaster.

 

2) Determine the impact on school finance of possible state actions such as, but not limited to, changes to student enrollment calculations or property valuation. Assess student displacement caused by Hurricane Harvey and consider actions the Commissioner of Education may take to adjust attendance levels or calculations in the wake of a disaster. Make recommendations for legislative action including potential changes to the process and timeliness of payments to districts by private insurers, FEMA and the state.

 

Invited testimony was taken.

 

Roll was called; a quorum was present.

 

Senator Paul Bettencourt assumed the chair.

 

Senator Larry Taylor resumed the chair.

 

Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached list.

 

Public testimony was taken.

 

Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached list.

 

There being no further business, at 4:33 PM Senator Larry Taylor moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of the chair. Without objection, it was so ordered.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

__________________________________________

Senator Larry Taylor, Chair

 

 

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Nicole Sunstrum, Clerk