Senate advances and passes a package of bills; messages list sent to House

The Senate processed a broad package of routine and substantive items during the morning portion of the session, using a mix of committee reports, voice votes and a few recorded roll calls.

Passed or advanced by voice vote: H.81 (fair repair of agricultural equipment) was ordered and passed on third reading; H.630 (boards of cooperative education services), H.657 (modernization of communications taxes and fees), and H.704 (disclosure of compensation and job advertisements) were each read for third reading and passed. H.279 (Uniform Trust Decanting Act), H.503 (amendments to the charter of the town of St. Johnsbury), H.881 (Burlington charter amendment), H.886 (South Burlington charter amendment), H.780 (judicial nominations and appointments), and H.867 (miscellaneous amendments to laws governing alcoholic beverages and the Board of Liquor and Lottery) were reported by committees, ordered for third reading and — where floor procedure allowed — placed through remaining stages and passed or advanced.

On concurrence and messaging: the Senate concurred with the House amendment to S.98 (granting the Green Mountain Care Board authority related to prescription drug costs) after floor explanation and voice assent. Following a motion from the senator from Chittenden Central, the Senate voted to message a set of bills to the House forthwith (S.98; H.81; H.279; H.503; H.630; H.657; H.704; H.780; H.867; H.881; H.886; and JRS 44). The motion to message the listed actions passed by voice vote.

SCR 18 honoring Senator Robert A. Starr of Orleans District was read in full and adopted by recorded roll call (the presiding officer broke a tie by casting a deciding vote). The resolution praised Senator Starr’s decades of service in agriculture, education and public life and directed the Secretary of State to send a copy to him.

What to expect next: Several bills were placed on schedules for third reading, some by rule suspension to pass through remaining stages. H.875 (ethics bill) was set aside for additional appropriations review; other bills will proceed according to the calendar and possible conference committee appointments announced on the floor.