AUSTIN -- House bills not heard by midnight Thursday have virtually no chance of becoming law. The looming deadline has lead to a rush at the State Capitol.
Legislators revived the debate over spanking in school. Conservatives want school districts to be allowed to choose whether to paddle.
"We conservatives are supposed to believe in local control and limited government," said State Rep. Phil King, (R) Weatherford.
Moderates and Democrats wanted parents to be able to opt their children out.
"Is it not hypocritical to say members of a locally elected body are better positioned to decide how to discipline these children and allow them to supersede a parents decision," said State Rep. Mike Villareal, D-San Antonio.
The bill passed 87 to 56.
By a wide market, the House approved a bill which would send men who pay for a prostitute to sensitivity training, not to jail.
"What were actually talking about is trying to take pimps of the street," said State Rep. Senfronia Thompson, D-Houston.
About a dozen members opposed it saying it gives "Johns" a break, while punishing female prostitutes.
A ban on cockfighting got last minute approval as well.
A constitutional amendment regarding slot machines in Texas was voted out of committee but never got a vote on the floor of the House of Representatives.
