Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

Senate Education K-16 Committee Apr 16th, 2025

Meeting Video(s)

TX

Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

Education K-16 (Part I) Apr 16th, 2025

Senate Education K-16 Committee

During the committee meeting, key issues surrounding higher education legislation were discussed, focusing on several significant bills. Notably, discussions revolved around SB2233, which mandates public institutions in Texas to prohibit non-immigrant visa holders from supporting terrorist activities. This bill raised concerns regarding free speech and potential overreach in monitoring students and faculty, with various testimonies highlighting its implications for academic freedom. The bill faced opposition from various civil rights organizations and law students who emphasized that such measures could create a chilling effect on political expression and disproportionately affect marginalized communities. In contrast, SB735 on Holocaust education received strong support, aiming to improve educational resources and awareness amid rising anti-Semitism, with calls for comprehensive training for educators. Other bills discussed included SB2683, which restricts institutional benefits from foreign entities considered to pose a national security risk, further emphasizing the tension between security concerns and academic freedom.

Bills on the Agenda

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Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

Texas Senate Bill SB735

Voted on by Senate
 
Out of House Committee
 
Voted on by House
 
Governor Action
 
Bill Becomes Law
 
Relating to Holocaust education and training provided to students enrolled at public schools and public institutions of higher education.
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Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

Texas Senate Bill SB800

Voted on by Senate
 
Out of House Committee
 
Voted on by House
 
Governor Action
 
Bill Becomes Law
 
Relating to a public institution of higher education's orientation on the institution's sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking policy.
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Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

Texas Senate Bill SB1032

Voted on by Senate
 
Out of House Committee
 
Voted on by House
 
Governor Action
 
Bill Becomes Law
 
Relating to participation in the governor's university research initiative.
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Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

Texas Senate Bill SB1069

Voted on by Senate
 
Out of House Committee
 
Voted on by House
 
Governor Action
 
Bill Becomes Law
 
Relating to the procedure for resolving allegations of religious discrimination against a student at a public institution of higher education.
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Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

Texas Senate Bill SB1909

Voted on by Senate
 
Out of House Committee
 
Voted on by House
 
Governor Action
 
Bill Becomes Law
 
Relating to a policy prohibiting antisemitism at public institutions of higher education.
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Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

Texas Senate Bill SB2058

Voted on by Senate
 
Out of House Committee
 
Voted on by House
 
Governor Action
 
Bill Becomes Law
 
Relating to certain duties of the Texas Board of Nursing and the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board in relation to the reporting and publication of nursing program clinical site data.
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Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

Texas Senate Bill SB2055

Voted on by Senate
 
Out of House Committee
 
Voted on by House
 
Governor Action
 
Bill Becomes Law
 
Relating to participation in the Texas Leadership Scholars Program.
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Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

Texas Senate Bill SB2233

Voted on by Senate
 
Out of House Committee
 
Voted on by House
 
Governor Action
 
Bill Becomes Law
 
Relating to a prohibition on certain persons supporting terrorist activity at public institutions of higher education.
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Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

Texas Senate Bill SB2310

Voted on by Senate
 
Out of House Committee
 
Voted on by House
 
Governor Action
 
Bill Becomes Law
 
Relating to transparency regarding requirements to complete a certificate or degree program at a public institution of higher education.
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Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

Texas Senate Bill SB2683

Voted on by Senate
 
Out of House Committee
 
Voted on by House
 
Governor Action
 
Bill Becomes Law
 
Relating to prohibiting a public institution of higher education from providing benefits to a student organization that receives financial support from an entity of concern.
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Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

Texas Senate Bill SB2815

Voted on by Senate
 
Out of House Committee
 
Voted on by House
 
Governor Action
 
Bill Becomes Law
 
Relating to the diploma designation of an institution of higher education.
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Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

Texas Senate Bill SB2972

Voted on by Senate
 
Out of House Committee
 
Voted on by House
 
Governor Action
 
Bill Becomes Law
 
Relating to expressive activities at public institutions of higher education.
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Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

Texas Senate Bill SB2986

Voted on by Senate
 
Out of House Committee
 
Voted on by House
 
Governor Action
 
Bill Becomes Law
 
Relating to the protection from adverse action against public schools and institutions of higher education for permitting religious organizations use of facilities.