The state Senate and House have appointed conferees to work on an agreeable version of SB 382, the bill that would compel Durham to let 751 South hook onto the city water-sewer system.

Last week, the Senate voted not to concur in a House-approved version of the bill.

State Rep. Tim Moore, R-Cleveland, is chairman of a seven-member House contingent. Moore wrote the provision that would bar cities from denying water and sewer extensions to property outside their city limits but within a designated "urban growth area."

Along with Moore are Paul Stam, R-Wake; John Blust, R-Guilford; William Brisson, D-Bladen; Rodney Moore, D-Mecklenburg; Bryan Holloway, R-Rockingham; and Stephen LaRoque, R-Lenoir.

From the Senate are Tom Apodaca, R-Buncombe, who sponsored SB 382 in its original form pertaining to withholding taxes; Jerry Tillman, R-Randolph; and Fletcher Hartsell, R-Cabarrus.

The committee has not scheduled a meeting.

The state House gave final approval this afternoon to a bill that would require the city of Durham to let Southern Durham Development link its 751 South subdivision onto the city water system.

In February, the City Council voted unanimously to deny the developer's application for a utility connection.

SB 382 won approval 66-50 on its third reading and now goes to the state Senate for its concurrence. Because it is is a rewritten version of a bill the Senate had approved in 2011, it can be confirmed there with a single vote.

Anticipating a quick Senate approval, City Manager Tom Bonfield said the City Council will hold a special meeting on the bill July 5.

Bonfield has declined discussing any action the city might take in response.

House members debated the bill for more than an hour Tuesday before approving its second reading. Today, state Rep. Tim Moore, R-Cleveland, used a legislative procedure to prevent further debate.

Durham Rep. Paul Luebke, who tried unsuccessfully to remove the bill's section affecting Durham during Tuesday's debate, called Moore's move "completely inappropriate" and "reprehensible."

Luebke had said Wednesday morning that he planned to reiterate his argument that "this is a bill on behalf of private interest, this is a private interest that didn't agree with the city council decision."

Blocking debate before the final vote, he said, "is very, very wrong and, members (of the House), I hope it never happens again."