On Sunday, May 19, the Texas Senate passed HB 2504 on second reading. It will probably be brought up on third reading in a day or so. It makes it easier for a party to remain on the ballot. But it also imposes filing fees on the nominees of parties that use conventions. Thanks to Art DiBianca for this news.
Looks like, if I’m reading the bill’s calendar correctly, it’s had its third reading: https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/Actions.aspx?LegSess=86R&Bill=HB2504
“Passed to Third Reading” means it will get a Third Reading soon. If it had already passed third reading, it would just say “passed.”
In the Senate, the regular order of business is the order that bills are reported by committee. There are now about 650 bills lined up, with the first bill stuck in the queue since January.
The Senate may suspend the regular order of business and take up any bill by a 3/5 vote. Traditionally, the Lieutenant Governor will not recognize a senator to make a motion to suspend unless he can show he has the votes to suspend. Thus a bill might be blocked without any sort of vote.
The first vote on Sunday was the most important and the debate on the bill was conducted on whether to suspend.
Four amendments were offered. The likely purpose was to force a conflict with the House version and perhaps force a deadlock.
The first would deposit the fees in the Election Improvement Fund.
The second would eliminate a double filing fee for certain offices.
The third would eliminate qualification for all convention-nominating parties, other than certification by the SOS based on an application by the party. This likely would not lead to a plethora of candidates since they would still need to be nominated by the party, and candidates pay a filing fee.
The fourth would change the look back to two elections instead of five.
All were defeated on a 12:19 vote.
The bill was passed to third reading on a 19:12 vote.
The Texas constitution requires bills to be read on three separate days. For non controversial bills, the Senate practice is to suspend that rule. That requires a 4/5 supermajority.
For some procedural reason, legislative Sunday continued on calendar Monday. At 11 PM on Monday, the Senate adjourned for a few seconds, and began legislative Monday.
This permitted 3rd reading and final passage of HB 2504 on a 19:12 vote.
All that is needed now is the governor’s signature.
Is there no link to a story or more detailed info? I’m only seeing one paragraph.