Senate adopts adjournment resolution and passes S.154 on third reading; multiple bills referred to committees

The Senate adopted Joint Resolution 42 after a reading that directed when the two houses adjourn on Friday, Feb. 2, 2024, they be scheduled to reconvene no later than Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2024. The presiding officer put the measure to a voice vote; members responded “Aye” and the presiding officer announced that the ayes carried. The transcript does not record a roll‑call tally for the resolution.

On the orders of the day, the chamber conducted the third reading of S.154, described in the reading as “an act relating to the Vermont State Plane Coordinate System.” No amendments were offered on third reading; the presiding officer called for the question, members responded by voice, and the clerk announced the bill passed on third reading. The transcript does not include a roll‑call vote or numerical yea/nay counts for S.154.

Clerks also presented several bills for first reading and referral or placement on the notice calendar. S.302 (an act relating to public health outreach programs regarding dementia risk) was read and referred to the Committee on Health and Welfare. Committee bills S.303 (supporting Vermont’s young readers) and S.304 (relating to Vermont’s career and technical education program) received first readings and were placed on the notice calendar; an unnamed senator subsequently moved that S.303 and S.304 be committed to the Committee on Education pending entry on the calendar. House bills H.518 (amendments to the charter of the town of Essex) and H.554 (charter adoption for the town of South Huron) were referred to the Committee on Government Operations, and H.659 (captive insurance) was referred to the Committee on Finance.

Several senators used the floor to announce upcoming committee meetings and caucus business, including a notice that the Senate Democratic Caucus planned a 12:15 p.m. meeting to discuss aspects of Proposition 1 with a webcast link available. A motion to adjourn that had been offered and then withdrawn earlier in the session was renewed later in the proceedings; the transcript shows adjournment motions being made but does not document a final adjournment outcome in the recorded segments.

Next procedural steps: JRS 42 sets the target timeframe for the next joint meeting after the specified adjournment date; referred bills will proceed through the committees named in the readings and notices.