The Senate is scheduled to vote again today on a proposal to open conference committees to the public.
The item is seventh on the agenda of third reading of legislation, but the schedule is always a work in progress that can change. The Senate was scheduled to begin meeting at 10 a.m. today.
Senate Bill 322, sponsored by Joe Carraro, R-Albuquerque, is different than Senate Bill 288, which the body killed by one vote two weeks ago, in that it specifies that the public can be present but cannot participate in conference committees, and that political parties will have proportional representation on committees.
Some believe the differences in the bill give it a better chance of passing. Others point out that three senators missed the 20-19 vote on Senate Bill 288, and at least two of them oppose opening conference committees.
Assuming the Senate actually takes this up today, it should be interesting. However, the Senate put off debating the last bill for several days as other items on the calendar moved ahead of it.
In addition, the House Judiciary Committee is scheduled to hear this afternoon, after a series of delays, House Concurrent Resolution 1, sponsored by Majority Leader Ken Martinez of Grants. It’s one of three proposals in the House that would open conference committees, and members have been attempting to work out a compromise.
Update, 2:25 p.m.
I’m told there won’t be a vote in the Senate on this bill today.