House moves dozens of first‑reading bills, shifts committee schedules and opens weekend testimony ahead of storm

The presiding officer opened the House session with routine business Friday, during which several introductory bills were read and referred and multiple committees adjusted schedules because of an incoming snowstorm.

Madam Speaker announced that introductory House bills 445 through 488 were read for the first time and were referred to the appropriate committees. The clerk also read introductory bond initiatives 3–6 (dated 01/23/2026) and recorded that those measures were referred to the Appropriations Committee.

Why it matters: first reading and referral sets a bill’s path to committee consideration; committee schedules and procedures determine when the public can weigh in and when hearings will be held. With a forecasted snowstorm, multiple committees moved to virtual meetings or cancelled in‑person meetings, which could affect public access and participation.

Parliamentary and staff officials fielded questions about public testimony and hearing signups. A delegate reading the Rules Committee guidance said the website indicates witnesses can sign up “on Thursday for hearings on Monday.” The Parliamentarian responded that chair discretion applies and that the House had opened the entire weekend so witnesses could submit testimony, explaining staff had allowed the extension because of the weather.

The clerk also announced a reassignment of House bill 149 to the Economic Matters Committee and several committee chairs confirmed they would not meet in person that day. The Rules and Executive Nominations Committee will meet virtually Monday at 1:00 p.m., and the Appropriations Committee moved a fiscal briefing to 4:00 p.m. on Zoom to accommodate that schedule.

On final business, the Majority Leader reminded the public they could submit testimony over the weekend and announced the chamber would stand adjourned until Monday, Jan. 26 at 8:00 p.m.

Quotes appearing in this report come from session remarks recorded in the House transcript. Documented actions from the floor include first readings and referrals of bills and bond initiatives, the reassignment of HB 149, and the adjournment date for the next sitting.