Update: Representative Cecil Bell (R) has added language from anti-gay House Bill 4105 to another bill in an attempt to revive it in the final days of the legislative session.  The bill the language is attached to is considered a "shell bill" to be used for amendments, and its author Representative Garnet Coleman (D) has vowed to do what he can to kill it because of the anti-gay additions. See the action alert from Equality Texas for more.
 

Clock Runs Out on HB 4105, But Discrimination Measures Still a Danger Until End of Session

Equality Federation and partner Civil liberties and LGBT rights groups are hailing the failure by the Texas House of Representatives to pass HB 4105, which would bar the state from granting, enforcing or recognizing marriage licenses for same-sex couples even if the U.S. Supreme Court strikes down state bans on such marriages as unconstitutional. A growing number of major Texas-based companies, including Dell in Round Rock and Celanese in Irving, have come out publicly against the bill this week. Emails and calls have also flooded legislative offices in opposition to the bill. Moreover, House opponents successfully managed the bill schedule to keep HB 4105 from coming up for a vote. Following are statements from the American Civil Liberties Union of Texas, Equality Texas, Texas Freedom Network and the Human Rights Campaign.

Chuck Smith, executive director, of Federation member Equality Texas said, “Thanks to the leadership of our allies in the Texas House, the clock ran out on HB 4105 at midnight. Unfortunately for LGBT Texans, there are still 17 days remaining in the legislative session – 17 days during which homophobic and transphobic lawmakers will continue to look for amendment opportunities to inflict discrimination. We must continue to fight their efforts to defy the Supreme Court and to deny equality to LGBT Texans – through the end of the legislative session and beyond.”