The Texas Senate Committee on Education will gavel in at 8 a.m. Oct. 7 in Room E1.028 of the Capitol Extension to take invited and public testimony on three interim charges from Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick: the rollout of school choice, how public schools handle ties to hostile foreign actors, and implementation of four 2025 laws, according to the official hearing notice. Public testimony is limited to two minutes per person, and anyone submitting written testimony should bring 10 copies with a name on each.
Sen. Donna Campbell, R-New Braunfels, chairs the eight-member panel, with Sen. Paul Bettencourt, R-Houston, as vice chair, according to Texas Legislature Online. Six members are Republicans and two are Democrats. The committee also meets at 8 a.m. Oct. 6 on a separate set of charges, according to a separate notice.
The Celebrating the Successful Rollout of School Choice charge asks members to monitor implementation of Senate Bill 2, which created the state’s education savings account program, and to recommend ways to expand it. The notice cites more than 250,000 applications. The Texas Comptroller’s Office put first-year demand at more than 274,000 students and said available funding was expected to run out within the second priority tier, so a lottery would set awards and waitlist order. By May 4, the office reported more than 95,600 students awarded accounts across the first two tiers, with families asked to confirm enrollment or opt out by July 15.
The Promoting America & Texas First in Our Schools charge directs the committee to examine public schools that promote events, partnerships or associations with federal or state-designated hostile agents or their surrogates. It also asks for recommendations to strengthen laws against infiltration of classrooms by hostile countries or related entities and to ensure schools teach American and Texas exceptionalism. The notice names no specific districts or incidents.
Under its Monitoring charge, the committee will review four laws passed in 2025. Senate Bill 571 covers the reporting and investigation of certain misconduct and child abuse and neglect and creates a criminal offense. Senate Bill 12 addresses parental rights in public education, instruction and diversity, equity and inclusion duties, social transitioning, and student clubs. Senate Bill 13 governs school library materials and catalogs, local library advisory councils and parental access rights; the Texas Education Agency’s guidance says districts must form an advisory council if parents of at least 10 percent of enrolled students petition for one. House Bill 6 covers discipline management and access to telehealth mental health services in public schools. The notice asks members to recommend any legislation needed to improve, enhance or complete implementation of each.
Because this is an interim hearing, the committee will take no vote and no legislation is before it. Its findings will help shape bills filed when the 90th Legislature convenes in January 2027.
Meeting at a glance
- When
- 8:00 AM CT, Wednesday, October 7, 2026
- Where
- Room E1.028 (Hearing Room), Capitol Extension, Austin
- Chair
- Sen. Donna Campbell, R–New Braunfels (SD-25)
- Vice Chair
- Sen. Paul Bettencourt, R–Houston (SD-7)
- Format
- Invited and public testimony; two minutes per person; written testimony — 10 copies with your name on each; interim charges only — no vote on legislation
- Live video
- senate.texas.gov/av-live.php
- Submit comments online
- N/A
- Full agenda
- Official hearing notice (capitol.texas.gov)
Committee members
- Sen. Donna Campbell, R–New Braunfels (SD-25) — Chair
- Sen. Paul Bettencourt, R–Houston (SD-7) — Vice Chair
- Sen. Brent Hagenbuch, R–Denton (SD-30)
- Sen. Phil King, R–Weatherford (SD-10)
- Sen. José Menéndez, D–San Antonio (SD-26)
- Sen. Tan Parker, R–Flower Mound (SD-12)
- Sen. Angela Paxton, R–McKinney (SD-8)
- Sen. Royce West, D–Dallas (SD-23)