AUSTIN -- A controversial bill to ban intrusive searches by federal airport security officers died in the Texas Legislature on the final day of the special session today after the House refused to bring it up for consideration.
The 30-day special session ended at 12:32 p.m. after the House adjourned. The Senate had concluded its work on Tuesday.House members gave preliminary approval to the Senate-passed anti-groping bill but fell well short of the 120 votes needed to suspend constitutional rules to bring the bill up for final passage. The vote was 96-26.The bill, which has provoked opposition from the Transportation Security Administration, died during the regular session after TSA officials threatened legal action. But it surged back to life after Gov. Rick Perry included it on the special session's agenda. The bill by Rep. David Simpson, R-Longview, had a die-hard fan base of largely conservative supporters, who are rallying behind it to end what they call widespread and invasive screening procedures by TSA agents.Dozens of supporters converged inside the Capitol on Monday to denounce changes in the legislation that they say severely weakened the bill.House Speaker Joe Straus earlier denounced the bill as a "publicity stunt" but dropped his resistance to the measure after the House gave preliminary approval to a bill substantially retooled by Simpson.The measure considered by the House was a Senate-passed bill, that Simpson described as significantly stronger than the House bill.The bill would have expanded the federal definition of "official oppression" to prohibit federal employees from improperly touching a person's private areas. Violations would constitute a Class A misdemeanor, punishable by up to one year in jail and a maximum $4,000 fine.News reports about a 95-year-old woman being forced to remove her adult diaper during a pat-down at an airport in northwest Florida has fanned renewed criticism over TSA procedures.Dave Montgomery is the Star-Telegram's Austin Bureau chief, 512-476-4294
