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HR 1446

Suspending limitations on conference committee jurisdiction, S.B. No. 1.

89th Legislature (2025) Introduced by Greg Bonnen

Texas procedural bill suspends conference committee jurisdictional limits, potentially allowing committees to add provisions beyond original chamber versions without full floor review.

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Bill Summary · HR 1446

Legislative bill overview

HR 1446 suspends procedural limitations on conference committee jurisdiction in the Texas Legislature, allowing conference committees broader authority to reconcile differences between House and Senate versions of bills. This is a procedural measure affecting how the legislature resolves conflicts between chamber versions of legislation, particularly relevant during the final stages of a legislative session.

Why is this important

Conference committees typically operate under strict jurisdictional rules to prevent them from inserting entirely new provisions beyond what either chamber originally passed. Suspending these limitations could allow committees to expand bill scope or add provisions that neither chamber explicitly voted on, potentially affecting legislative transparency and deliberative process. This procedural change can have practical consequences for what legislation ultimately becomes law.

Potential points of contention

  • Circumventing chamber review: Suspended jurisdictional limits may allow new or expanded language to bypass full House and Senate floor votes that would normally scrutinize such changes
  • End-of-session timing: The measure's passage on May 31st suggests use during crunch time when bills move quickly with less public attention
  • Accountability concerns: Broader conference committee authority reduces the ability to trace which chamber supported specific final bill language, complicating accountability

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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