The non-meeting meeting was productive.

The Subcommittee on Civil Law was supposed to meet at 4:00 to discuss the Attorney General’s bill on structured settlements.

When I arrived at the committee room to chair the meeting, the AG’s office and representatives of the affected businesses were already engaged in discussions.

No need to interrupt these negotiations, I decided. “Let us know when you’re done,” I told them, “and we’ll convene our meeting.”

Nearly an hour later, I gaveled our meeting to order.

Both sides summarized the status of their talks. They’re close to a compromise but need another 24 hours.

They will submit their amendments by 4:30 Tuesday, and the subcommittee will meet again Wednesday morning.