Senate refers contractor-liability bill to finance, adopts joint resolution to receive governor's budget; several bills introduced

The Senate took several procedural actions Tuesday, moving one bill to a new committee, adopting a joint resolution to receive the governor's budget message, introducing multiple bills for first reading and setting scheduling around a pending bottle-bill override.

Senator from Chittenden Southeast moved that the Committee on Economic Development, Housing, and General Affairs be relieved of S 182, "an act relating to contractor liability related to subcontractor work," and that S 182 be referred to the Committee on Finance. "I moved the committee on economic development, housing, and general affairs be relieved of S 182," the senator said. The presiding officer called the question by voice and announced that the ayes prevailed, formally referring S 182 to the Finance Committee.

The chamber next read and adopted a joint resolution asking both houses to meet in joint assembly on Tuesday, January 23, 2024, at 1 p.m. to receive the governor's budget message. The Clerk read the resolution, which the presiding officer put to a voice vote; "the ayes have it," the presiding officer said, and the body adopted JRS 34.

The Clerk also gave initial readings for several bills and announced committee referrals: S 210 (an act relating to motor vehicle and pedestrian safety) was referred to Transportation; S 211 (an act relating to health care reform and to the regulatory duties of the Green Mountain Care Board) was referred to Health and Welfare; S 212 (an act relating to the open carry of firearms at polling places, political debates, and public demonstrations) was referred to Judiciary; S 213 (an act relating to the regulation of wetlands, river corridor development, and dam safety) was referred to Natural Resources and Energy; S 214 (an act relating to emergency orders against stalking or assault) was referred to Judiciary; and S 215 (an act relating to 3 Squares Vermont) was referred to Health and Welfare. The Clerk presented the titles in succession and the Senate recorded first readings and committee referrals.

Senator from Central reminded colleagues that new Senate disclosure forms and copies previously submitted to the Secretary of State were on members' desks and urged prompt updating. "So senators will find on their desks not only the Senate disclosure form  the new one  but a copy of their disclosure form submitted to the Secretary of State," the senator said, urging members to transfer or update information as needed.

The senator also updated colleagues on the status of the bottle bill: the House had overridden the governor's veto earlier that day and the Senate was expected to receive the measure on Wednesday. The senator said he intended to move to suspend action and set the Senate's consideration of the override for January 22 to give members, caucuses and constituents time to review the bill.

Senator Franklin asked whether, instead of separate partisan caucuses, the body would consider a conference of the whole to permit presentations from both sides and independent experts. The senator argued a conference of the whole could ensure a balanced presentation. The senator from Central said he appreciated the suggestion but preferred separate caucusing in the near term while noting that the floor debate on the override would allow any member to speak.

Before adjourning, the Senate adopted Senate Resolution 14 by voice vote. The presiding officer then put a motion that the Senate stand adjourned until 11:30 a.m. Friday, January 5, 2024; the motion carried by voice vote and the Senate adjourned.

What happens next: S 182 will proceed to the Finance Committee; the chamber will meet in joint assembly on January 23 for the governor's budget message; and the Senate plans to take up the bottle-bill override on January 22, following caucus review and member preparation.