Paper is flying everywhere in the House and Senate as Conference Committees work to meet deadline

By Mike Ward - Saturday, May 30, 2009,
Read More in the Austin American Statesman

182 more conference committees

Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst just announced that the Texas Senate has received requests from the House for 182 conference committees to work out last-minute details on pending bills.

That’s correct, 182 — surely a record, since the Senate already had authorized more than four dozen by last night.

Before midnight tonight, all the conference committees must have their deals worked out on final language for bills, and have their report filed with the House.

Otherwise, bills die.

It’s going to be a busy afternoon — and evening.

In the Senate, Administration Committee Chairman Tommy Williams, R-The Woodlands, just suggested that senators remain at their desks throughout the afternoon to get the Senate’s paperwork on the conference committees approved and sent promptly back to the House.

Paper is flying everywhere, and the Senate just took the unusual step of allowing up to two staff members for each senator onto the floor to handle the rush of signing and sorting.

Conference Committee Named For Eminent Domain
On ANOTHER Front.. and this may be the new Eminent Domain Bill SB-18 turned Resolution with a RIDER attached for University Research Institutions

HJR 14 Corte et al. SP: Duncan in Conference Cmte.

HJR 14 Corte et al. SP: Duncan

Caption: Proposing a constitutional amendment to prohibit the taking of property for transfer to a private entity for certain purposes.
5-30 House refused to concur in Senate amendments and requested the appointment of a Conference Committee.
5-30 House conferees appointed: Corte, Chair; Bonnen, Hilderbran, Pena, Woolley.

HOUSE Conferees:
Frank Corte, Chair #122 Corte Frank.Corte@house.state.tx.us
512-463-0646 & Fax: 512) 463-0893

Dennis Bonnen #25 Bonnen Dennis.Bonnen@house.state.tx.us
512-463-0564 & Fax: 512) 463-8414

Harvey Hilderbran #53 Hilderbran Harvey.Hilderbran@house.state.tx.us
512-463-0536 & Fax: 512) 463-1449

Aaron Pena #40 Peña Aaron.Peña@house.state.tx.us
512-463-0426 & Fax: 512) 463-0043

Beverly Woolley #136 Woolley Beverly.Woolley@house.state.tx.us
512-463-0696 & Fax: 512) 463-9333

SENATE Conferees:
Appointed (05/30/2009)

Duncan (Chair) Duncan, Robert
(512) 463-0128 & Fax: (512) 463-2424
Robert.Duncan@Senate.State.Tx.US

Estes Estes, Craig (512) 463-0130 & Fax: (512) 463-8874
Craig.Estes@Senate.State.Tx.US

Hegar Glenn Hegar Glenn.Hegar@Senate.State.Tx.US
(512) 463-0118 & Fax: (512) 475-3736

Van de Putte Van de Putte, Leticia
(512) 463-0126 & Fax: (512) 463-2114

Leticia.VandePutte@Senate.State.Tx.US
Whitmire Whitmire, John
512) 463-0115 & Fax: (713) 864-5287

John.Whitmire@Senate.State.Tx.US