Senate suspends referral of S.309, reassigns S.255 and schedules adjournment for Feb. 15

The Senate on the floor moved quickly through several procedural items Thursday, voting to suspend its rules so S.309 will remain on the notice calendar for action the next day, reassigning S.255 from the Committee on Government Operations to the Committee on Natural Resources and Energy, announcing two committee appointments and agreeing to adjourn until 10:15 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 15.

Why it matters: The votes leave S.309 available for further action without committee referral and redirect S.255 — described on the floor as relating to equity and public access at the Public Utility Commission — to a committee with jurisdiction over energy and natural-resources matters. Both moves affect where and when the bills will next be considered.

Senator from Caledonia moved that the chamber "suspend Senate rule 31 and that S.309, an act relating to miscellaneous changes to laws related to Department of Motor Vehicles and Vessels, not be referred to the Committee on Appropriations," saying the changes "have no impact on revenues" and primarily update language on registration refunds. The presiding officer put the question, members responded "aye," and the presiding officer announced the ayes prevailed; the chamber left S.309 on the notice calendar for action tomorrow.

On a separate motion, the Senator from Addison asked that the Committee on Government Operations be relieved of S.255, described on the floor as "an act relating to equity and public access at the Public Utility Commission," and moved that the bill be referred to the Committee on Natural Resources and Energy. The chamber again responded "aye" when the presiding officer called for the question; the motion carried and S.255 was sent to Natural Resources and Energy.

The presiding officer, speaking for the Committee on Committees, announced two senator appointments: Senator Harrison was named to the Vermont Economic Progress Council, and Senator Weeks to the Joint Information Technology Oversight Committee.

Members also announced committee meeting schedules on the floor: Natural Resources and Energy at 9:00 a.m.; Government Operations, Finance and Education at 1:30 p.m. (Institutions was announced as meeting 15 minutes after the following calendar). Separately, a senator moved that the Senate adjourn until 10:15 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 15 to allow a joint assembly at 10:30 and to give the lieutenant governor 15 minutes for a refresher on rules of decorum. The chamber voted aye and the presiding officer announced the Senate would stand adjourned until that time.

On lighter business, the Senator from Windsor offered a brief floor remark celebrating Valentine’s Day and promoting a Vermont Symphony Orchestra concert featuring a Montpelier high school student's premiere.

What’s next: S.309 remains on the notice calendar for action the following day; S.255 will be considered next by the Committee on Natural Resources and Energy. Committee meeting times announced on the floor indicate when related committee work may resume.