TexasCHLforum.com

K.Mooneyham wrote: ...

So, here is my question: is it now a matter of a certain someone actually letting it come to a vote on the floor before the full House? As in, if he doesn't let it, it just dies when the legislature adjourns?

HB910 was heard in committee in order to get the testimony and public hearing out of the way, and to get it on the House calendar for a floor vote. However, the bill that actually needs to be passed by the House in order for OC to go to the governor is its companion SB17 (since it was passed by the Senate), which hasn't been assigned yet. When/if it is assigned, presumably, to the HS and PS Committee, the intention is to report it favorably out of the committee without taking testimony again and then substitute it for HB910 on the calendar. At least that was how I understood the plan when I called Rep Phillips office yesterday.

Jason K wrote:
I would figure that any reason that a Texas CHL would be taken away would also be cause to lose the out-of-state license...

Not necssarily. Each state sets its own qualifications, and disqualifications for have a license, and what disqualifies in one state may not appear on another state's list.

For example, in Pennsylvania, at least a couple years ago, police could deny licenses based on a negative "good character" evaluation, so some people who were denied licenses got a Florida license, which enraged the local newspapers.

I have seen on this forum examples where someone was advised to go get one from another state that has reciprocity because Texas had a disqualifier that did not exist in the other state -- I forget what it was right off, it may have been a deferred adjudication issue.

Kolamer wrote: ...

Very cool. Thanks for that link! I am sad to say that I am 32 years old and have never followed anything like this before. This whole process has really opened my eyes to how it all comes together and works.
...

You are most welcome. Prowl around that site http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/Home.aspx" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; and you will figure out how to check on bills, see who is on what committee, etc. Also there links on that site to the current Texas Constitution and Statutes

Someone on this forum published a link to a handbook that describes the legislative process in detail, it is a very worthwhile read. Unfortunately I don't have it bookmarked here on my work computer, just at home. If I find it I will update the post.

locke_n_load wrote:

ELB wrote:

Kolamer wrote:[...
What is the calendars committee and why would they prove to be troublesome?

I, and many others, believe the Speaker killed it because he is cozy with the Texas academic establishment, particularly UT, and they wanted it squelched.

A similar fate may await OC.

Doubtful, not with all the publicity that OC is getting this time around, IMO. If it doesn't come up for a vote, it will be very known who did it.

We know who did it last time, too. And he still got elected speaker again.

Kolamer wrote:What is the break down of Republicans and Democrats on the calendar committee? It seemed like in the Senate that it was all republicans on board and all democrats against. Is it possible we will see the same thing with this committee?

All the committees of the House are right here: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/Committe ... ?Chamber=H" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Click on a committee and it will show you the members, without affiliation. You will have to do your own homework to find out the breakdown. :)

More importantly than just the R/D breakdown is that that the committee chair and members are assigned by the Speaker, and because of the importance of this committee (it is the bottleneck through which all legislation must pass), you can be sure that the Speaker makes sure he appoints very loyal (to him) people. I.e. people that will vote how he wants when they are considering which bills will go to the floor.

Kolamer wrote:[...
What is the calendars committee and why would they prove to be troublesome?

If a bill is favorably voted out of committee, the calendars committee decides when -- or if -- that bill will be brought to the House floor for debate and vote. This committee is what the Speaker of the House uses to advance or kill bills without directly, publicly saying so. During the last Legislature, campus carry would in all likelihood have passed the House on a floor vote, but it never made it into the line up of bills brought to the floor. I, and many others, believe the Speaker killed it because he is cozy with the Texas academic establishment, particularly UT, and they wanted it squelched.

A similar fate may await OC.