Education committee reports SB1 by substitute; senator files notice of minority report

The Senate Education and Youth Committee on Feb. 3 reported Senate Bill 1 "do pass by substitute," the committee secretary told the chamber, and Senator Alina Parent filed formal notice that she will submit a minority report to be read with the committee's majority report.

Committee chairman Senator Billy Hickman (4th) signed the majority report, which the secretary transmitted to the floor. In a written floor notice read into the record, Senator Alina Parent said the notice was given pursuant to Senate Rule 2‑1.6 and that she intended to introduce a minority report on SB1, which the committee considered and passed on Thursday, Jan. 30. The transcript did not include the bill text or floor debate on SB1 during this session.

A minority report signals that at least one committee member dissents from the committee's recommendation and intends to have that dissent formally entered into the record when the bill is considered by the full Senate. The committee action reported that SB1 "do pass by substitute"; the specifics of the substitute language and the subject matter of the bill were not described on the floor during this reading. The senator who filed the notice did not elaborate on the substance of the minority views during the floor reading.

The matter will move forward according to the Senate's rules; reporters following SB1 should examine the committee record for substitute text and watch for the minority report when the bill is called for further consideration.