As citizens travelled to the Capitol to testify for and against a bill regulating commercial dog and cat breeders, the Senate Criminal Justice committee suddenly pulled HB 3180 from its agenda today. Senator Whitmire's opened the hearing with the comment that the "dog bill is postponed indefinitely."
Speculation is rampant regarding why HB 3180, sponsored by Senfronia Thompson (D-Houston) was dropped from the public hearing. Some believe that committee chair, Senator John Whitmire (D-Houston), may not have the votes to pass the bill and is working on further revisions. As Senator Whitmire sponsored the Senate companion of the bill, he is considered to be supportive of the legislation. Others believe that the last minute change is a deliberate attempt to keep citizens from testifying on the controversial issue.
Senate committees are required to give 24 hours notice before a bill receives a public hearing. However, the rules may be suspended to allow the bill to be heard with no notice.
HB 3180 must be voted out of the Senate committee in order to have a vote in the full Senate and proceed to the Governor's desk. The bill passed the House last week 119-30.
On the House floor two weeks ago, Senator Whitmire amended an unrelated bill, HB 2310, to contain most of HB 3180's language. The House rejected those amendments and HB 2310 is now awaiting a conference committee to resolve these differences.
With only 13 days left in the legislative session, any action is likely to be swift and surprising.
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