Efforts to revive the "Save Chick-fil-A" bill in the Texas Senate took a rapid step forward Monday with a no-warning public hearing followed by speedy committee approval.

Supporters of the bill are racing against the calendar after House Democrats and members of the House LGBTQ Caucus used a parliamentary maneuver last week to kill a bill that would ban governments from taking “any adverse action” against people or businesses based on their membership in a religious organization or donations and support for faith-based groups.

The House bill was in response to the San Antonio City Council’s decision in March to reject Chick-fil-A as a vendor at the city airport, citing the company’s “anti-LGBTQ behavior,” including a history of donating money to faith-based groups that oppose same-sex marriage.

Senate State Affairs Committee takes public testimony on SB 1978@scottbraddock#txlege#SB1978#SaveChickfilAhttps://t.co/OT4wf9WonU

— Lege TV (@legetv)May 13, 2019

With the House bill dead and the end of the legislative session two weeks away, supporters shifted their attention to Senate Bill 1978 by Sen. Bryan Hughes, R-Mineola, the companion to the now-dead House bill.

No action had been taken on the Senate bill during the first 4½ months of the legislative session.

Shortly before the Senate adjourned Monday afternoon, however, Hughes received permission to add SB 1978 to an already scheduled meeting of the Senate State Affairs Committee, waiving the Senate rule that requires at least 24-hour notice of a public hearing on a bill. Permission to waive the posting rule is routinely granted in the Senate, particularly in the frantic closing days of a legislative session.

Minutes later, the State Affairs public hearing began on SB 1978 in a nearby room — and ended seconds later when nobody showed up to testify. Two senators were present.

Later, the committee voted along party lines to approve the bill, making it eligible for a vote by the full Senate as early as Wednesday.

Even if passed by the Senate, SB 1978 faces tight deadlines in the House, where committee approval must occur by Saturday, with House approval required by May 21.

Kathy Miller, president of the Texas Freedom Network, said it was inappropriate to hold a public hearing to which the public was not invited.

“It’s appalling to hold a ghost hearing and then take a snap vote that leaves virtually no chance for anyone to tell senators how such a sweeping discrimination bill would affect individuals and families across the state,” Miller said.

But Hughes said the House version of the Chick-fil-A bill was the subject of a long hearing, followed by negotiations to arrive at compromise language that focused the legislation on preserving a company's right to associate with, or donate to, religious groups.

"The issue was thoroughly vetted in the House," Hughes said. "The process is clearly working."

As it currently reads, SB 1978 would ban state agencies and local governments from taking any action to punish people who act according to their sincerely held religious beliefs, “including beliefs or convictions regarding marriage.”

Hughes told the committee that he plans to amend the measure on the Senate floor to mirror the "Save Chick-fil-A" bill that was killed in the House last week.

"Fundamental rights like the free exercise of religion have to be respected," he said.