Texas Poker Legislation goes to vote this week

[txbarbarossa]

If anyone has updates on this I appreciate it. This link shows the status
http://www.legis.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=80R&Bill=HB3186

[arod4276]

it isnt close to a guarantee that it even gets voted on.

[poorolrich]

As far as I know it hasn't come out of the 'calenders committee'--In fact it might not!!!

[allbad]

I just checked this morning, and it is out of calendars! It will be read on the house floor TOMORROW!!!!!

http://www.legis.state.tx.us/Calendars/CalendarsByLegislature.aspx?Chbr=H&ForLeg=1

[pokahjokah]

So, it was placed on the clanedar and will be read a 2nd time? When will a vote occur? And, what other steps are necessary for this bill to pass?

[pokahjokah]

Just read some more on TX law. It seems after the 2nd reading they debate it on the floor, then have a 3rd reading with a vote. If all goes well we could have a hand of poker dealt in TX on Jan 1st, 2008. Most local bars will only be allowed to have 4 tables, but I think the big horse/dog racing tracks will be able to have much more. If I messed up anywhere please correct me.

[brimelian]

There is no guarantee this bill will be heard even though it was placed on the general state calendar. All house bills on general state must pass by this Thursday (May 10th) or they are essentially dead. There are literally hundreds of bills sitting on the calendar waiting to be heard and many of them are expected to die there.

Clearly there is still a chance this bill gets heard, but the reality is that the House has fallen way behind schedule this session and has little hope of completing their calendar schedule by Thursday.

[arod4276]

so who is right allred or brime?

[KipBond]

[ QUOTE ]
so who is right allred or brime?

[/ QUOTE ]

I think both. It's scheduled to be heard. It might not make it, though.

[pokahjokah]

Ya, thats the way i see it as well. It is scheduled but they always run behind. I wonder if there is a way to see how far behind they are. And, whether or not they will have a special session to tackle all the solutions they did not get to.

[ICallHimGamblor]

It is the next to last item on the schedule for tomorrow. If they don't get too it before EOD Thursday it is dead for this session, but the fact that the deal was made that got it out of committee makes it way easier to resubmit next session.

Any incremental steps this takes forward makes it way more easy next time.

[brimelian]

Just to give you an idea of how to track the House schedule, go to this link: http://www.house.state.tx.us/schedules/c...p;calendarCode= (http://www.house.state.tx.us/schedules/calendar.php?legislature=80&chamber=H&startDate=to day&endDate=week&calendarCode=)

The House goes through the supplmental calendar first. By my count there are about 320 bills on this calendar. As of this writing, the House started working on this list about 4 hours ago and they have worked through 14 bills.

Once the supplemental calendar is completed, they will move to the Daily Calendar for May 8th. There are 56 bills on this list. Any and all bills that are not heard today will be added the end of the supplemental calendar tomorrow.

The bill we're interested in is on the Daily calendar for May 9th. HB 3186 is listed 44th out of 45 bills.

Bottom line: The House needs to consider 420 bills before they get to HB 3186. They have about 56 hours left before the deadline (if they don't take any breaks), and they are currently averaging about 3-4 bills per hour.

They will definitely pick up the pace as the deadline draws closer and members begin to realize that their bills are in danger....but that sense of urgency has yet to kick in.

There is also a chance that the House will start jumping around and take bills out of order, but I'm not sure HB 3186 would be one of the bills that receives special treatment.

We'll just have to wait and see, but as you can probably guess, I simply don't think they have enough time to get to our bill before the Thursday deadline.

[binions]

There is no senate sponsor for the bill, even if it gets voted on and passes.

Finally, Rick Perry would veto it.

[allbad]

[ QUOTE ]
There is no senate sponsor for the bill, even if it gets voted on and passes.

[/ QUOTE ]

Yes, I read this earlier today when I was obsessing about hb-3186 on google.com. What are the chances of getting a senator to sponsor the bill once it gets to their chambers? I'm sure Menendez has at least one senator willing to go to bat for this bill.

Also, Rick Perry will probably veto this, but there's a chance he might not. This is a revenue generating proposition and doesn't technically expand gambling. It just reclassifies Poker as a game of skill not luck.

Honestly, I don't think Menendez thought it would get this far either, otherwise I'm sure he'd have sewn up a senate sponsor. If nothing else, he's going to learn a lot for the next go-'round in 2 years.

[JSSAggie]

It is time to get the word out. This bill is set to hit the house floor on Thursday 5/10. Everyone needs to use the house website http://www.house.state.tx.us/members/welcome.php and phone your representative.

I created a quick website to help send email messages to your representatives.
http://www.legalizepokerintexas.com/?issues=HB3186

Don't stop there, make sure to recruit your friends and force them to make a phone call.

-Jeff

[arod4276]

any updates?

[ICallHimGamblor]

[ QUOTE ]
There is no senate sponsor for the bill, even if it gets voted on and passes.

Finally, Rick Perry would veto it.

[/ QUOTE ]

The bill's sponsor has contacted Perry's office, and he has specifically said he would NOT veto it.

If you have no idea what you are talking about, please don't post at all.

[txbarbarossa]

Perry isn't gonna veto it. The question is will it come to vote.

[Vex]

[ QUOTE ]
any updates?

[/ QUOTE ]

They are arguing about Texas Lottery advertising right now. HB 2102 2nd reading. They're debating amendments.

[ICallHimGamblor]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
any updates?

[/ QUOTE ]

They are arguing about Texas Lottery advertising right now. HB 2102 2nd reading. They're debating amendments.

[/ QUOTE ]

I don't even see that on the calendar today. Do you have a link? (Not that I don't trust you... just want to follow along the progress if I can)

[txbarbarossa]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
any updates?

[/ QUOTE ]

They are arguing about Texas Lottery advertising right now. HB 2102 2nd reading. They're debating amendments.

[/ QUOTE ]

Where do you get these updates

[Vex]

[ QUOTE ]

Where do you get these updates

[/ QUOTE ]

Live video stream of our government inaction: http://www.house.state.tx.us/fx/av/live/extlive80kchamber.ram

Er, I meant "in action". :P

[allbad]

normally, I am all for government inaction... the fewer laws being passed means the fewer rights and dollars take away. Not in this case.

[allbad]

the readings seem to be going pretty quick right now, but there's tons tons tons of bills to go. They're on HB 983 of the May 9th Supplemental calendar, about 1/7th the way down the list. I presume they would then go to the Daily house calendar?

Ohh! Our political hero was just on about HB 1324.... totally unrelated, but good to see he doesn't have a 1 track mind.

[ICallHimGamblor]

Does anyone know what is going on? I see them busting through dozens of bills, but only reading them in a hurry and I don't see any discussion, and it sounds like they are all passing. On the other hand, I don't see any of these bills on the calendar.

Does anyone know what is going on or how this works?

[corndog]

All of them (including ours) are on the supplemental calendar.

linky (http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlodocs/80R/calendars/html/H220070509.htm)

[arod4276]

so what do you think corn.....is there a chance it comes up tomm?

[allbad]

they're about 25% done now. I didn't see that HB 3186 was on the supplemental calendar as well.

[corndog]

arod-

I'd love to see it come up by tomorrow, but by my quick count there are well over 100 to go before it. I don't know enough about the process to know if they have any chance to rush through that many in time.

I'm hopeful, but not optimistic.

[allbad]

oh geez, they just called HB 3168 and I'm like WHAT?!?!? them i remembered how dyslexic I am.

[ICallHimGamblor]

[ QUOTE ]
All of them (including ours) are on the supplemental calendar.

linky (http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlodocs/80R/calendars/html/H220070509.htm)

[/ QUOTE ]

That was a big help. Thanks.

[arod4276]

ty corn

[allbad]

The House just adjourned for the evening. They got through about 1/2 of today's calendar items and are supposed to pick up where they left off tomorrow.

[Relvin]

Is Austin a pretty koo city to live in?? I am looking into getting a video game development job there and moving ...

[kantu]

it's on the second to last page for tomorrow's calendar. possible i guess that they could get to it, but not at the pace they've been going.

[ZBTHorton]

[ QUOTE ]
Is Austin a pretty koo city to live in?? I am looking into getting a video game development job there and moving ...

[/ QUOTE ]
It's an awesome city. You'll love it.

[allbad]

My wife is from Montreal and she constantly compares Austin to that city. It is very modern and has a lot of high-tech companies (I work for one of them). Only thing it's missing is poker.

[allbad]

[ QUOTE ]
it's on the second to last page for tomorrow's calendar. possible i guess that they could get to it, but not at the pace they've been going.

[/ QUOTE ]

yea, by my inaccurate counting method, it looks to be about 300 bills need to be heard prior.

[RGL]

So if they don't get to it today, it's dead for 2 years? Back to square one next session?

[Ron Burgundy]

[ QUOTE ]
Is Austin a pretty koo city to live in?? I am looking into getting a video game development job there and moving ...

[/ QUOTE ]

http://forumserver.twoplustwo.com/showfl...rt=all&vc=1 (http://forumserver.twoplustwo.com/showflat.php?Cat=0&Number=7883616&page=0&fpart=all &vc=1)

[pokahjokah]

They are hauling ass through them this morning, but it seems like they are skipping all around this morning, but in the 5 mins i have watched they have gone through 6 bills.

[arod4276]

thanks pokah

updates appreciated

[pokahjokah]

Right when I posted that, they started working on HB 2785 (Property Tax relief). For those that don't know, TX has the highest property taxes despite some of the best real estate prices in the nation. They have been working on the bill (and rightfully so) for the last hour. Seems like some serious debate, and it pretty much kills any idea of getting to the Poker bill in time. Unless, it leapfrogs a ton of bills or for some reason is called up druing a special session.

[brimelian]

The House will work well past midnight tonight in an effort to get through most of the bills on the Supplemental calendar. However, there are dozens of bills ahead of ours that could take hours to debate and amend. There is also a chance that the House schedule could get derailed by a point of order - essentially killing all the bills on calendars today. I think it is fair to say that there is virutally no chance of HB 3186 being considered today. It is all but dead this session.

[ICallHimGamblor]

[ QUOTE ]
So if they don't get to it today, it's dead for 2 years? Back to square one next session?

[/ QUOTE ]

This is the first I have heard of a 2 year requirement... is this true?

[pokahjokah]

The TX lawmakers only meet once every two years. For most of the representatives this is a part time job. The only time they would meet again would be if the Gov. were to call a special session to meet about legislation that he deems important. I dont think our bill will be so lucky.

[TexBigSlick]

Rep. Jose Menendez was on 103.3 FM, ESPN Radio in Dallas with Dale Hansen (the sports guy from WFAA, the ABC affiliate) on Tuesday, May 8th. Here's a link that includes the audio. Interesting listening.

Rep. Jose Menendez was on 103.3 FM, ESPN Radio in Dallas (http://pokerati.com/2007/05/09/re-poker-lawmaking-on-the-air/)

Rob (TexBigSlick)

[canvasbck]

anyone have any updates on the House's progress today? Are they going to get to this?

[pokahjokah]

Looks like its slim to none at the moment.

[txbarbarossa]

Well I guess we have another 2 years of swat teams. What a brilliant use of tax payer money.

[pokahjokah]

They need to process about 275 bills to get to the poker bill. Even if they work to 1 AM thats a lot.

[txbarbarossa]

I wonder if there's any chance they can skip to it?

[tx_saluki]

Looking at the calendar, I count 188 bills to be heard before HB3186. If they argue as much as they are on the current bill, which is a very simple bill about paying for volunteer fire departments (a whole 36 cents a year per person) then they could stay until next year and not get to all of them.

[brimelian]

Update as of 4pm CST: The House has plowed through 90 bills and is now on page 8 of their supplemental calendar (HB 2868). Our bill (HB 3186) is on page 21. 180 bills to go. Their pace has improved, but it still looks like they will run out of time.

[kantu]

it's a longshot, but they could recess instead of adjourning and take up the bills not done today.... tomorrow. same chance as hitting perfect perfect !

it is early though and they are on page 9 ... 3186 is on page 21. i think they could get there by 2 or 3am.

[Black Aces 518]

[ QUOTE ]
it's a longshot, but they could recess instead of adjourning and take up the bills not done today.... tomorrow. same chance as hitting perfect perfect !

it is early though and they are on page 9 ... 3186 is on page 21. i think they could get there by 2 or 3am.

[/ QUOTE ]

COME ON ONE TIME DEALER LET ME RUN GOOD AT ONE GODDAMN THING IN MY LIFE

[tx_saluki]

Since 4pm CST they have averaged 12 bills / hr. As of 8 pm CST there are 140 bills left to be heard before HB3186. So at that rate they will hear HB3186 around 8 am tomorrow morning. (Assuming they are still awake)

I heard rumor today about Perry calling a special session since there is so much still to be covered. But aside from that we are looking at 2 more years.

[pokahjokah]

"SO YER SAYING THERE'S A CHANCE...."
afterwards...
"WHAT WAS ALL THAT ONE IN A MILLION TALK????"

[Vex]

Dammit, I just heard them say "thirtye-one eighty-" and I got all excited -- then came the "four". It felt likehaving and OESFD and bricking the turn and river.

Some bill about flu vaccine education; they passed it in 20 seconds and moved on.

[Johnny McEldoo]

[ QUOTE ]
"WHAT WAS ALL THAT ONE IN A MILLION TALK????"

[/ QUOTE ]

i believe that old guy was trying to ask what was the chances of us getting to the bill and the clerk kept yelling one in 5 million /images/graemlins/smile.gif

all these stupid holdups are killing me...every second is so precious...

[kantu]

they are now at the top of page 15 ...... only 7 more to go!

[vexas]

Rep. Menendez (the bill's sponsor) has to leave the session early due to a family illness. They just elevated another of his bills to the top of the docket so he can leave...maybe they will elevate 3186 next...

[vexas]

Rep. Menendez presented a different bill as stated in my previous post, but then the legislature went back to the original docket. HB 3186 "leap frogging" the docket was wishful thinking.

[Cactus Jack]

[ QUOTE ]
Dale Hansen (the sports guy from WFAA, the ABC affiliate)

[/ QUOTE ]

Good grief. Dale Hansen must be 900 years old. He was the sports guy on Channel 8 when I was a kid, and I'm 700 years old.

[brimelian]

The House recessed until tomorrow. HB 3186 is dead unless it gets attached to another bill (which is unlikely). Rep. Menendez will have to try again in 2009.

[tx_saluki]

I don't think this is possible in TX. Pretty sure house rules do not allow 2 subject bills.

Though I could be wrong.

[Johnny McEldoo]

/images/graemlins/mad.gif

[ZBTHorton]

Isn't recessing until tomorrow a good thing?

[brimelian]

[ QUOTE ]
Isn't recessing until tomorrow a good thing?

[/ QUOTE ]

Not in this case. Yesterday was the deadline to pass House bills out of the House. House bills that did not pass yesterday are dead. They are no longer eligible for consideration.

[pokahjokah]

So now we wait for two years?

[canvasbck]

yep, looks like a 2 year wait. I'm so [censored] pissed, politicians are too chicken [censored] to take this thing to a vote so that we know where they stand.

[brimelian]

[ QUOTE ]
So now we wait for two years?

[/ QUOTE ]

Yes. The next regular Legislative session in Texas will start January 2009.