Update: Support HB972 - debate tomorrow (5/14)

[J.R.@A&M]

Reported back to whole Senate. 4 ayes, 2 no's, and the bill is reported back to the full senate with a favorable recommendation.

[RHenriksen]

Reported back to whole Senate. 4 ayes, 2 no's, and the bill is reported back to the full senate with a favorable recommendation.

Excellent.

[terryg]

Woot!! Thanks for the play by play.

[J.R.@A&M]

A media summary. http://blog.chron.com/texaspolitics/201 ... ll-senate/

and here http://www.statesman.com/ap/ap/educatio ... ing/nXqdx/

[2firfun50]

“Bear in mind that under HB 972, as passed by the House, public colleges would not be able to give 30.06 notice, so there could be no charges for carrying on a public college campus unless you carried at a sporting event, bar, or primary/secondary school. This would be a huge step in the right direction.

Bear in mind that under HB 972, as passed by the House, public colleges would not Legally be able to give 30.06 notice

Now on to HB508 just in case they do post 30.06. We must have formal redress if/when they do.

[J.R.@A&M]

Does this bill still need 21 votes to consider by the full senate (even though it was passed by the House)?

What about this business of it (and a stronger version of it) being a special session topic?

[Beiruty]

So, what happened voted for full senate?

[ELB]

Woot!! Thanks for the play by play.

Yes, thanks.

[J.R.@A&M]

Woot!! Thanks for the play by play.

Yes, thanks.

My pleasure. It was wonderful listening to Chairman Whitmire (mostly) with the supporting cast of GOP Senators basically beat up on the opposing arguments.

[baldeagle]

Here's my notes.

At the beginning of testimony Senator Whitmire said, "I don't think the testimony is going to change many people's minds. It might."

They missed an opportunity. One witness asked the Senators on the committee, what if they took away the metal detectors here at the capitol building? Would you feel safe then? (Referring to the fact that schools wouldn't have metal detectors.)

Not ONE Senator said, "Are you aware that CHL holders don't go through those metal detectors?"

A Math professor from Baylor, who claims he left Utah, in part, because they passed campus carry, said that when guns are used it's "a certainty" that lives would be lost. No it isn't. Almost 80% of people shot with a handgun survive.

Whitmire asked the female representative from Texas Gun Sense (gun control proponents) which of two bills she would choose; the current bill that is a watered down version? Or a stricter version that was a certainty to pass in a special session? Made me wonder what he knows that he isn't saying. He said, if you defeat this bill we're gonna have a special session and a stronger version with no opt-out will pass.

She said she would prefer neither bill. Whitmire said that's not an option. Which bill do you prefer? She stuck to her guns. (Pun intended.)

So I'm feeling pretty good that this bill will pass the Senate.

Along with HB 972, the committee also sent HB 485 and HB 698 to the floor, but HB 1349 was placed on pending. Whitmire said he wanted the whole committee to vote on it. (There were only five members there today.)

[Charles L. Cotton]

Does this bill still need 21 votes to consider by the full senate (even though it was passed by the House)

Yes.

Chas.

[CJD]

Does this bill still need 21 votes to consider by the full senate (even though it was passed by the House)

Yes.

Chas.

Does this make it have a dim outlook?

[SewTexas]

Here's my notes.
(big snip....)

Whitmire asked the female representative from Texas Gun Sense (gun control proponents) which of two bills she would choose; the current bill that is a watered down version? Or a stricter version that was a certainty to pass in a special session? Made me wonder what he knows that he isn't saying. He said, if you defeat this bill we're gonna have a special session and a stronger version with no opt-out will pass.

She said she would prefer neither bill. Whitmire said that's not an option. Which bill do you prefer? She stuck to her guns. (Pun intended.)

So I'm feeling pretty good that this bill will pass the Senate.

Along with HB 972, the committee also sent HB 485 and HB 698 to the floor, but HB 1349 was placed on pending. Whitmire said he wanted the whole committee to vote on it. (There were only five members there today.)

really? I thought a special session could only be about budget? interesting.....

[ELB]

really? I thought a special session could only be about budget? interesting.....

Only the Governor can call a special session (or "Called Session"), and he sets the agenda, not the legislature - they can take up only what he calls for. A special session lasts only 30 days max, but the Governor can call as many has he wants. There have been as many as six sessions. I think the budget is often an issue for the special sessions.

[SewTexas]

really? I thought a special session could only be about budget? interesting.....

Only the Governor can call a special session (or "Called Session"), and he sets the agenda, not the legislature - they can take up only what he calls for. A special session lasts only 30 days max, but the Governor can call as many has he wants. There have been as many as six sessions. I think the budget is often an issue for the special sessions.

right, I knew the Gov called the sessions. I guess I was thinking it could only be about budget, I guess because that's what it's most often about. Thanks for the correct ELB. It does lead to what BaldEagle brought up....I wonder what Whitmire knows? sounds like Perry might really want some sort of campus carry?