Thanks to the updates from several of you, I feel cautiously optimistic instead of guardedly pessimistic.
Haven't checked if these email addresses have been rolled out yet. If not - here's the addresses of all the conference committee members. I just sent them all a love note...
Charles.Schwertner@senate.texas.gov
bryan.hughes@senate.texas.gov
brandon.creighton@senate.texas.gov
Brian.Birdwell@senate.texas.gov
donna.campbell@senate.texas.gov
Matt.Schaefer@house.texas.gov
James.White@house.texas.gov
Terry.Canales@house.texas.gov
Dustin.Burrows@house.texas.gov
ryan.guillen@house.texas.gov
Keep the pressure on guys.
Please let the committee know that we want this passed, this session.
We can massage the kinks out in a couple of years.
Especially let mailto:Matt.Schaefer@house.texas.gov
know that we've fought too hard to walk away empty handed.
(Some rumblings that the author may kill it if it's not perfect)
And above all, don't get ugly, stupid or threatening.
Remember where TOC got us last time?
Thanks!
Now that conference members have been appointed by both chambers, the next steps are for the committee to meet, issue a report, then both chambers vote to accept or reject the report.
Because the House rejected all ten Senate Amendments, those are the only things in scope for the committee, unless they agree to go out of bounds.
If reconciliation occurs, the report clears committee so long as at least three members from each chamber agree to approve the report.
When the report goes back to the respective chambers, it’s an up or down vote, no amending or anything else.
With both chambers held by Rs, a party line vote in each chamber will gain approval of the reconciled bill and it will be sent to the governor.
4H does a good job of expanding on this procedure and keeping it brief on page 16 of the doc at http://texas4-h.tamu.edu/wp-content/uploads/Understanding-Texas-Government-Handbook.pdf
If the report does indeed get out of committee,
you can see the report here: https://lrl.texas.gov/legis/conferenceCommitteeReports.cfm
I’ll be watching TLO closely, as others probably are, too.
I just called and left a message. IMO the call is more effective if you leave your name, address, and call back number, along with your ask that the LtG do all in his power to get a bill to the Gov.Yesterday Lt Col Allen West put up a YouTube video asking everyone to call Dan Patrick and tell him to get HB 1927 to Abbott’s desk without delays compromises and excuses.
Patrick’s number is 512 463 0001
Sent them all emailsLet’s not get distracted from the effort at hand: getting HB 1927 to hit wheels. I appreciate everyone’s actions so far, but the bill is nit yet law, so celebration or bîtching isn’t called for.
Please, y’all need to contact the conference committee members and politely urge them to do whatever needs to be done so that we can get this passed, even if that means we need to perfect it in the next session.
I’m grateful for everyone (members here or not) that have done something, no matter how small or insignificant, to get us where we are. Let’s not let perfect be the enemy of good enough, and let’s not let this fail with eight working days left in the session.
Im sending a new message every day to all of themPlease call or email these committee members. Don't think it won't matter or it looks like others have it covered. Keep up the pressure until the governor signs it.