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

TX

Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

Texas Senate Bill SB735

Filed
1/7/25  
Out of Senate Committee
4/24/25  
Voted on by Senate
4/30/25  
Governor Action
 
Bill Becomes Law
 
Relating to Holocaust education and training for public school educators and students.
TX

Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

Texas Senate Bill SB800

Filed
1/15/25  
Out of Senate Committee
4/24/25  
Voted on by Senate
4/30/25  
Out of House Committee
5/20/25  
Bill Becomes Law
 
Relating to a public institution of higher education's sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking resources and policy orientation.
TX

Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

Texas Senate Bill SB1032

Filed
1/31/25  
Out of Senate Committee
5/1/25  
Voted on by Senate
5/6/25  
Out of House Committee
5/20/25  
Bill Becomes Law
 
Relating to the eligibility of postsecondary educational institutions to participate in the governor's university research initiative.
TX

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.
TX

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.
TX

Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

Texas Senate Bill SB2058

Filed
3/7/25  
Out of Senate Committee
5/8/25  
Voted on by Senate
5/12/25  
Governor Action
 
Bill Becomes Law
 
Relating to publication by the Texas Board of Nursing and the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board of certain nursing education data.
TX

Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

Texas Senate Bill SB2055

Filed
3/7/25  
Out of Senate Committee
4/24/25  
Voted on by Senate
5/1/25  
Out of House Committee
5/20/25  
Bill Becomes Law
 
Relating to participation in the Texas Leadership Scholars Program.
TX

Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

Texas Senate Bill SB2233

Filed
3/11/25  
Out of Senate Committee
5/15/25  
Voted on by House
 
Governor Action
 
Bill Becomes Law
 
Relating to a prohibition on certain persons endorsing or espousing terrorist activity at public institutions of higher education.
TX

Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

Texas Senate Bill SB2310

Filed
3/11/25  
Out of Senate Committee
4/28/25  
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.
TX

Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

Texas Senate Bill SB2683

Filed
3/13/25  
Out of House Committee
 
Voted on by House
 
Governor Action
 
Bill Becomes Law
 
Relating to certain prohibitions in relation to a student organization at a public institution of higher education receiving financial support from a foreign adversary.
TX

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.
TX

Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

Texas Senate Bill SB2972

Filed
3/14/25  
Out of Senate Committee
4/28/25  
Voted on by Senate
5/14/25  
Out of House Committee
5/20/25  
Bill Becomes Law
 
Relating to expressive activities at public institutions of higher education.
TX

Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

Texas Senate Bill SB2986

Filed
3/14/25  
Out of Senate Committee
4/24/25  
Voted on by Senate
4/30/25  
Out of House Committee
5/20/25  
Bill Becomes Law
 
Relating to use by a religious organization of public school or institution of higher education facilities.