The Senate Education K-16 Committee, chaired by Sen. Brandon Creighton (R–Conroe), held a meeting during the special session on Wednesday. The two Democratic members of the committee, Sens. Royce West (D–Dallas) and Jose Menendez (D–San Antonio), were not in attendance.

The committee heard only one bill, Senate Bill (SB) 8 by Sen. Paul Bettencourt (R–Houston). The committee heard from four invited witnesses, including Texas Education Agency (TEA) Commissioner Mike Morath, and then heard public comment from only four people. ATPE submitted written testimony with comments on the bill. For more on SB 8, and its identical House companion, House Bill (HB) 8, by House Public Education Committee Chair Brad Buckley (R–Salado), check out this post by ATPE Lobbyist Tricia Cave.

The committee voted 7-0 to advance SB 8 from the committee to the full Senate for floor consideration. With many House Democrats out of the state on a quorum break, it’s unclear if or when the House will hold a hearing on either bill or if they will have a quorum before the clock runs out on the special session.