Banning smoking in public places statewide wasn't part of Gov. Perry's special session call, but its authors have given the bill new life by emphasizing the savings it could bring in Medicaid and other health care costs.

Wednesday, the Texas Senate took up measure, but it still has a long way to go before it’s approved.

Rep. Myra Crownover, R-Denton, has been trying to pass a statewide smoking ban for years.

After failing in regular session this year, the statewide anti-smoking ban was re-labeled as a way to save $30 million. Authors of the bill say because it’s a money-saving they're hoping it won't get snubbed out this time around.

"This is the number one health issue of this session. This is the number one clean air issue this session," Crownover said. "That $30 million would be much better spent on 421 nursing home beds or that $30 million would also provide for 10,000 children on CHIP."

Though he’s not for smoking, Senator Bob Deuell opposes the bill. Dr. Deuell took an oath of office as a senator which overrides his Hippocratic Oath as a physician and believes there's a personal property problem with voting for it.

"I just think it's an infringement upon constitutional rights on property," he said. "If anything it would go to the local level, but again, I think it's an individual property ownership right."

The ban has been voted “for” in more than 30 Texas communities, but Crownover said it needs extra attention in some areas of the state.

"If you're outside a city, you have no way to vote. And that is the job of the legislature, to be that voting entity for the unincorporated areas and 25 percent of our population lives there," Crownover said.

The measure was passed by a Senate committee earlier this week. After the full Senate floor debates the measure, the bill will then head to the House.

But it’s just one of the many measures still left to get done in this special session which has to end next Wednesday.