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Although both HB 905 (knife preemption) and HB 3884 (decriminalization of "illegal knives") passed unanimously in the House, Chairman John Whitmire (D-Houston) is refusing to give them a hearing in the Senate Committee on Criminal Justice.

http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLook ... Bill=HB905" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLook ... ill=HB3884" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Please call Senator Whitmire's office (512-463-0115), and politely ask that these two bipartisan* bills, which passed the House unanimously, receive a committee hearing as soon as possible.

Please also call the office of Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick (512-463-0001), and voice your displeasure that the chairman of the committee to which he assigned these universally popular bills is refusing to schedule either bill for a hearing.

*HB 905 has three Republican authors and two Democratic authors. HB 3884 has a Democratic author but wide support from both parties. In the House, both bills had unanimous support in committee and on the floor. National publications like Bloomberg magazine and The Christian Science Monitor have pointed to these bills as part of a larger civil rights battle to prevent the type of discriminatory enforcement of vague knife laws that led to the arrest of Freddie Gray in Baltimore

Neither bill is included on tomorrow's Criminal Justice committee meeting. Indeed, as soon as I saw who the chair of Criminal Justice was my hope for either bill faded. Have to wonder why these bills were assigned to a committee chaired by a Democrat...especially that particular Democrat. :-(

I believe Whitmire just suspended rules in order that Criminal Justice hear these bills in today's upcoming meeting!
Surprised I am!

Recessed until tomorrow @ 8:30 am. discussing the Local and Uncontested Bills, adjourn and then back on floor @10am.

It seems HB905 was added to the meeting today, but not HB3884.

Why was HB905 referred to the Criminal Justice Committee instead of State Affairs?

CJD wrote:It seems HB905 was added to the meeting today, but not HB3884.

Looks like you're correct, CJD. Whitmire read them off so fast at the end of the Senate session I didn't catch all of them. When I heard him say HB905 I foolishly assumed 3884 was also on his list. Of course unless 905 gets pushed out of committee now they'll both end up in the same place come June 1st.

Senate Committee on Criminal Justice
Date: Thursday, 05/21/2015

HB905

7 ayes no nays reported back to Full Senate Favorable recommendation

AND

certified for Local & Consent !!!

(Page will be updated later)
http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLook ... Bill=HB905" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

=============

Issue:
Preemption of patchwork of different cities knife laws versus State law

#Txlege #HB905 Knives smaller than 5.5 inch blade illegal in San Antonio so my 5.5 incher = 12 inches opened, I'd like a smaller one made legal

#Txlege pass #HB905 Knives San Antonio bans BLADE UNDER 5.5 inches state law OVER 5.5 inches, I carry a foot long knife (opened) I want smaller

#txlege Sec. 21-17 Certain knives prohibited (a) blade less than five and one-half(5½) https://t.co/YGQz1gm4TL" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; SanAntonio VS Texas Penal 46

ec. 229.001. FIREARMS; AIR GUNS; KNIVES; EXPLOSIVES.
SECTION 3. Sections 229.001(a), (b), (d), and (e), Local
Government Code, are amended to read as follows:
(a) Notwithstanding any other law, including Section 43.002
of this code and Chapter 251, Agriculture Code, a municipality may
not adopt regulations relating to:
(1) the transfer, private ownership, keeping,
transportation, licensing, or registration of firearms, air guns,
knives, ammunition, or firearm or air gun supplies; or...

Yayyyyy!! Good news indeed! Thanks NotRPB!

And at the end of the committee meeting Whitmire said he's calling another (final) meeting for tomorrow, so still a chance for 3884. No agenda set, yet, however.

HB905 Recommended for local & uncontested calendar

I hadn't heard about these. Being in San Antonio I really really hope these pass.

HB3884 added to committee meeting today.

I heard that, too, CJD.

If Whitmire handles the meeting like he did last evening he will speed through the bills, sending all to Local and Uncontested. We'll see.

CJD wrote:HB3884 added to committee meeting today.

It passed out of committee with a recommendation for placement on the Local and Uncontested Calendar.