Senate Advances Budget Committee Bills After Contentious Procedural Vote

A procedural motion to advance measures from the Budget and Fiscal Review Committee passed on the Senate floor on Jan. 29 after a contested roll call.

Senator John Laird moved that bills reported from the Budget and Fiscal Review Committee on Feb. 4, 2026, with a recommendation of "do pass," be given their second reading upon being reported and ordered to third reading. Senator Anthony Nilo objected to the urgency and called for a roll-call vote, saying, "I would like to call for a roll call and ask for a no vote," arguing the timeline—two business days—was too short.

After a recorded roll-call, the presiding officer announced the motion carried with 29 ayes and 10 noes. The vote was recorded on the floor and the Senate proceeded with other motions and memorials.

Senators debated only briefly on the floor about the timing; the motion’s passage means the committee-reported bills will be advanced through the reading schedule as moved by Senator Laird.