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May 17, 2017      4:05 PM

Rideshare bill heads to Abbott with controversial amendment intact

Sen. Menendez asks “What is the necessity for that definition?” when it comes to sex

The Senate took a final look at this session’s statewide rideshare regulation bill, swallowed hard, then returned it to the House for concurrence with the controversial “sex” amendment intact for Gov. Greg Abbott’s signature.

Sen. Charles Schwertner, R-Georgetown, offered up an amendment to fix the quirk in his initial substitute, then pulled his sub “to give the other members a chance to draft amendments.” Except, come this afternoon, no amendments were offered up. And the House amendment that offended so many Democrats and LGBTQ activists was still on the bill.

Sen. Jose Menendez, D-San Antonio, questioned the language for purposes of legislative intent. Specifically, “For the purposes of Subsection A, sex means the physical condition of male or female.” “What is the necessity for that definition?” Menendez.

By Kimberly Reeves

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