Senate Judiciary Committee requires in-person attendance for committee votes

At a meeting of the Senate Judiciary Committee, members voted to require that senators be physically present in committee for their votes to be counted. The motion was made on the floor and approved by voice vote.

Senator Rice told colleagues she opposed remote participation, saying video connections limit understanding because "you do not see body language" and "you cannot see everybody in the room." She concluded, "I believe that we need to be present." Rice made the motion that members must be present in committee to vote; a second was recorded and the chair called a voice vote. The motion passed after members responded "aye."

Supporters said the rule was intended to avoid procedural confusion and ensure full engagement in committee debate; opponents were not recorded making a formal floor objection. The committee proceeded to take up several bills after the vote. The committee did not record a roll-call tally for the motion; the transcript indicates the decision was made by voice vote.