Senate adopts electronic-participation resolutions, reroutes referrals and adopts postal-resolution; adjourns

The Senate adopted two resolutions extending authority for electronic participation and temporarily amending related rules. SR 16 extended the provisions of permanent Senate Rule 32(a) regarding committee electronic meetings through December 31, 2024; SR 17 amended temporary Rule 9b to align the temporary rule's expiration with the same December 31, 2024 date. Senator from Chittenden Central told members electronic participation "has been working beautifully" and noted colleagues on Zoom would not be able to vote without the extension.

Earlier in the session, Senator from Washington moved to relieve the Committee on Finance of S 629 and to commit that bill to the Committee on Government Operations; the motion passed by voice vote. The Senate also approved a rule suspension so that S 258 would not be referred to the Committee on Finance under Rule 31; instead the Senate will refer S 258 to the Committee on Appropriations.

The chamber adopted JRS 41, a joint resolution requesting that the U.S. Postal Service reestablish a full-service post office in downtown Montpelier "as rapidly as possible," by voice vote.

The presiding officer announced five gubernatorial appointments will be distributed to committees and noted details will appear in the journal. The Senate then took routine announcements of committee meeting times and adjourned until 1 p.m. Thursday, March 14th following a successful voice vote to adjourn.