Senate suspends rules to keep H706 off Finance calendar

The Vermont Senate on April 19 voted to suspend Senate Rule 31 so that H706 — legislation involving neonicotinoid pesticides — would not be referred to the Committee on Finance and instead proceed under the chamber's alternative referral path.

Senator from Chittenden Central moved the suspension after consulting with the chair of finance; the presiding officer put the question and announced, "The ayes have it," formally suspending the rule and preventing an automatic referral to Finance. The motion's effect, as described by the presiding officer, was to allow H706 (described in floor comments as affecting expenditures) to be referred to Appropriations.

Supporters said the procedural move was intended to route the bill to the committee that will consider its spending impacts; opponents did not force a recorded roll call on the suspension. The presiding officer explained that under Rule 31 bills affecting state revenues normally go to Finance and, if they also affect expenditures, would then proceed to Appropriations.

The Senate took no further floor action on H706 during the session; committee referrals and timing for further consideration were announced later in the day.