Clock Strikes Midnight in Texas House, Putting the Nail in the Coffin on Some Key Priorities

Summary of House Action Before Midnight Deadline

The House had a total of 129 bills to consider on yesterday’s calendar. Several of them were legislative priorities that ended up dying due to postponements and delay tactics, or “chubbing,” employed by House Democrats but enabled by House Republican leadership.
SB 10 – State Sen. Paul Bettencourt (R–Houston)/State Rep. Chris Paddie (R–Marshall) – “Ban” on taxpayer-funded lobbying for most local jurisdictions. Postponed to death. (Lt. Gov. Patrick Priority) (RPT Priority)
SB 12 – State Sen. Bryan Hughes (R–Mineola)/State Rep. Scott Sanford (R–McKinney) – Protections for free speech on social media platforms. Postponed and never gotten to. (Lt. Gov. Patrick Priority)
SB 29 – State Sen. Charles Perry (R–Lubbock)/State Rep. Harold Dutton (D–Houston) – Fair sports for women and girls. Postponed and never gotten to. (Lt. Gov. Patrick Priority)

Other Impending Legislative Deadlines: (Reference)

Tonight at midnight marks a deadline by which the Senate can no longer consider any bills or joint resolutions for the first time.
Friday, May 28, marks the last day the House can act on Senate amendments to House bills.
Sunday, May 30, marks the last day that either the House or Senate can adopt Conference Committee Reports or act on amendments.
Monday, May 31, is the last day of the 87th Legislative Session, or sine die.

Status of Legislative Priorities: (Reference)

SB 1 – State Sen. Jane Nelson (R–Flower Mound)/State Rep. Greg Bonnen (R–Friendswood) – State budget for next biennium. Conference Committee Report was distributed. Expect both chambers to adopt the report imminently.
HB 3979 – State Rep. Steve Toth (R–The Woodlands/State Sen. Brandon Creighton (R–Conroe) – Anti-critical race theory bill. Senate stripped off almost all of the amendments accepted in the House. House will need to decide whether to accept amendments or appoint a conference committee.
HB 3 – State Rep. Dustin Burrows (R–Lubbock)/State Sen. Brian Birdwell (R–Granbury) – Formerly the TX Pandemic Response Act, which is now substituted with the executive powers reform bill, SB 1025. Senate added amendments. House will need to decide whether to accept amendments or appoint a conference committee.
HB 1280 – State Rep. Giovanni Capriglione (R–Southlake)/State Sen. Angela Paxton (R–McKinney) – Prohibition on abortion should the SCOTUS case Roe v. Wade be overturned. Passed Senate with no amendments. Will be sent to governor. (RPT Priority – Abolition of Abortion)

Texas House of Representatives:

Convenes at 10 a.m.
SUPPLEMENTAL CALENDAR
SB 1636 – State Sen. Kelly Hancock (R–North Richland Hills)/State Rep. Greg Bonnen (R–Friendswood) – Spending limits based on population and inflation. Passed second reading in House on 5/25 via voice vote.
Several ITEMS ELIGIBLE FOR CONSIDERATION
HB 19 – State Rep. Jeff Leach (R–Allen)/State Sen. Larry Taylor (R–Friendswood) – TX Trucking Act (Speaker Phelan & Lt. Gov. Patrick Priority)
HB 1239 – State Rep. Scott Sanford (R–McKinney)/State Sen. Angela Paxton (R–McKinney) – Prohibits the suspension of laws that protect religious freedom and prohibits closure of places of worship, even in times of emergency or disaster. Senate added amendments. House will need to decide whether to accept amendments or appoint a conference committee. (RPT Priority – Religious Freedom)
HB 1925 – State Rep. Giovanni Capriglione (R–Southlake)/State Sen. Dawn Buckingham (R–Lakeway) – Statewide public camping ban. Senate added amendments. House will need to decide whether to accept amendments or appoint a conference committee.

Texas Senate:

Convenes at 11 a.m.
Has several bills on INTENT CALENDAR
HB 2 – State Rep. Greg Bonnen (R–Friendswood)/State Sen. Jane Nelson (R–Flower Mound) – Supplemental budget bill
HB 1600 – State Rep. Terry Canales (D–Edinburg)/State Sen. Dawn Buckingham (R–Lakeway) – Sunset safety net bill
HB 2497 – State Rep. Tan Parker (R–Flower Mound)/State Sen. Brandon Creighton (R–Conroe) – Establishment of the Texas 1836 Project