59 in 1 out 5 rolled

Well 59 eminent domain bills went in to judiciary subcommittee at the beginning of the day. Only one came out . Many legislators were flustered and upset when they were told by the chairman that this would probably be the case at the beginning of the sub committee. Some just got up and left. The chairman of the judiciary committee Joe Folkes had his bill up first and it passed. To say this bill has more holes in it then a 1970's football jersey would be kind. Many legislators can not figure out why the farm bureau decided to get behind this bill because of its many problems but many are afraid of upsetting the farm bureau by going against it.

Only a few legislators stayed to present their bill. Frank Nicley rolled his bills to keep them alive. I rolled one of mine and presented two, Frank Buck had his rolled because he was in another committee. Tom Dubois presented his (a much better bill) and had it killed.

An odd thing happened on those votes. Joe Folkes who is on the committee left after his bill passed .Henri Brooks,( who has been an advocate for property rights) was voting in support of changes for more property rights putting the number of property rights advocates in the majority when Folkes left. Ken Coleman, who is not on the sub committee came in and sat down and started voting as if he were on the committee.

Brian Kelsey spoke up and asked what rule allowed him to come into a committee he is not on and vote .No rule could be quoted but the comment was made that it had to be a new rule just implemented at the digression of the chairman at the beginning of the year. Brian just shook his head. All bills heard, died 3 to 3 .