As of 1:45 pm today, we have three major bills on the call. Two of them progressed today but one is running into problems. Here's where we stand:

* HB 1 (Proposition 12 road  bonds): Reported favorably from the House Appropriations Committee 22-1. Rep. Geanie Morrison (R-Victoria) was the lone no vote. Many of the legilsators who voted for the bill had concerns with its revolving loan fund that allows local governments to get loans for bonded toll roads. There were about two hours worth of detailed questioning on the bill and how the Texas Transportation Commission would administer it. One lawmaker even asked if the bill created another "Fannie Mae." Distrust of TxDOT was clearly evident at the hearing.

* HB 2 (Sunset Safety Net bill): This is the only bill that has to pass, and it moved smoothly. It was reported unanimously from the House State Affairs Committee 12-0. The hearing lasted ten minutes or so. All five agencies whose sunset bills did not pass are renewed until 2011. (This does not include the Texas Residential Construction Commission, which lawmakers have decided to allow to expire.) The health and human services agencies are moved back to 2013 along with the Texas Education Agency. The Public Utility Commission and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality will be heard in 2011, among others. The review of the Texas Department of Insurance will include workers compensation, as some legislators requested. The bill appears non-controversial.

* HB 3 and HB 4 (Comprehensive Development Agreements for Privatized Toll Roads): These bills are still being heard in the House Transportation Committee and are very controversial. Rep. Jim Dunnam (D-Waco) questioned the need for these bils in the committee hearing.

* The Senate Finance Committee has left all bills pending waiting for the House to act.

That's where we are as of this moment. We'll post more details on some of the bills and hearings later in the day.