Reptile & Amphibian Forums

www.legis.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=80R&Bill=HB2414

YeeeeeeeeeeeeHawwwwwwwwww!

Okay, what happens next?

Mike Welker
El Paso, TX

It is wounded and down on the ground, now is when we kick the $#!* out of it.

Everybody needs to keep making those calls, get some support to vote this thing down. Now that it was moved off this committee it will raise a few new eyebrows and they will give it a good looking over. We just need to keep explaining how it is a bad idea.

Also, if you have not done the mass mail out, you get a second chance at it. Everything I see says that a snail mail letter will get more attention than an email from these reps. Mailing labels are ready to print and posted on Troy's web site.. The link is somewhere below in an earlier thread. Also, make as many phone calls as you can each day. And remember to thank any rep that has supported us, we want them to know we appreciate the help.

Lance

What is the procedure and rules now that HB 2414 is in this calendar committee? Will they have any public hearings? How can we kill it for good?

Mike Welker
El Paso, TX

>>>What is the procedure and rules now that HB 2414 is in this calendar committee?

A review of past Calendar Committee Minutes gives some insight. 1) They can calender it for a hearing on the house floor (w/ min of 36 hrs notice). 2) They can move NOT to calendar it at this time. This rarely happens early in the session, but is getting more common as the session draws toward a close. They will put priority on important bills and bills with wide approval (this appears to be neither IMO) 3) If calendared, they can pass a rule stating that any amendments be filed with the chief clerk by a certain time (avoiding surprises).

>>>Will they have any public hearings?

From what I read, they are open to the public and Reps not on the committee. However, I don't think the public can speak.

>>>How can we kill it for good?

Keep doing what we're doing. It would be best it we could get it voted down on the floor. However, it we're not sure of a majority, letting it run out of time in committee would be a safer (and less stressful option). The final day for the House to consider a bill is 5/11.

A little alterna dance at each and every herpers house...

But, as great as this is, it just means that we have more time and the Reps will be more inclined to look at this bill as a bad idea. It is still alive, all we did was wound it. We need to keep at it until it dies.....

So, did this cost $40K? I am thinking about a career change as a lobbyist myself...

Lance