Sage words from Mike Damone.
For those keeping score, HB 1919 has been sent to conference committee. The House refused the Senate amendments, requested the committee, and appointed their five conferees. According to the process, the Senate now appoints five from their chamber, two of whom must be members of the Senate committee from which the bill was reported (State Affairs).
The good news is that the Senate committee includes HB 1919's sponsor and co-sponsor (Sens. Leticia Van de Putte and Rodney Ellis). Getting either of them on the conference committee would be a big help.
The bad news, well, the session's almost over, and the bill now faces an uphill climb to get enrolled:
After the committee has met and reached an agreement, a report is submitted to both chambers for approval or disapproval. The report must be approved by at least three conferees from each chamber and must contain the text of the bill as approved by the conference committee, a side-by-side analysis comparing the text of the compromise bill to both the house and the senate versions, and the signatures of those members of the conference committee who approved the report. A conference committee report is not subject to amendment but must be accepted or rejected in its entirety.
Should the proposed compromise remain unacceptable to either chamber, it may be returned to the same conference committee for further deliberation, with or without specific instructions, or the appointment of a new conference committee may be requested. Failure of the conference committee to reach agreement kills the measure. If the conference committee report is acceptable to both chambers, the bill is enrolled, signed by both presiding officers in the presence of their respective chambers, and sent to the governor.
For more bad news, check out the House conferees:
Rep. Todd Smith (R) - Chair (512) 463-0522 - Smith represents the 92nd District (Bedford-Euless-Grand Prairie) and is the author of the original bill. Unfortunately, he's been named a "Fighter for Free Enterprise" by the Texas Association of Business, who have actively opposed the amendment language. Smith is also currently leading the charge against Tom Craddick.
Rep. John Davis (R) - (512) 463-0734 - 129th District (Clear Lake) - I don't know much about Davis, except he was sarcastically referred to as "furniture" by Texas Monthly and was investigated by the Texas Ethics Commission last year.
Rep. David Farabee (D) - (512) 463-0534 - 69th District (Wichita Falls) - Rep. Farabee co-authored HB 510, another bill covering health plan coverage for "mental disorders." That's one. Maybe.
Rep. Kelly Hancock (R) - (512) 463-0599 - 91st District (Ft. Worth) - Hancock, like Larry Taylor, is another Baylor grad on the Insurance Committee. A proponent of "family values" who voted against HB 1919 the first time it came up. No help there.
Rep. John T. Smithee (R) - (512) 463-0702 - 86th District (Amarillo) - Smithee's the Insurance Committee chair but has opposed several measures that would blatantly benefit the industry and let others die in committee. Could go either way, it would appear.
This is going to go down to the wire, it would appear. I'll update when the Senate's conferees are named. And how lovely that all of this is playing in the background to the mutiny against Craddick. Good times.
UPDATE: The Senate conferees include Van de Putte and Ellis, as well as Sen. Lucio, who authored the amendment. That's good news.
UPDATE (5/27): Damn, that was quick. The conference committee report has been filed and, as of 3:22 this morning, printed and distributed. The person who updates the Lege web site is probably getting some well-deserved rest following the craziness of the last week, which unfortunately means I have no idea what was determined in the committee. Stay tuned.
Do you know whether the House’s refusal to concur with the Senate amendments was actually put to a recorded vote? Or was it voice? Can we hold anyone accountable on this?