House advances multiple committee reports, adopts consent-calendar bills and assigns dozens to committees

The House took a series of procedural actions, adopting multiple committee reports and advancing bills on consent. The Government Operations, Political Subdivisions, Public Utilities and Energy, and Revenue and Taxation committees each presented favorable recommendations; the House adopted those reports by voice vote and placed items on the third-reading calendar.

On the consent calendar the House passed first substitute HB171 (physician assistant amendments) by voice vote, 68–0; second substitute HB353 (higher education credit transfer amendments) passed with 72 yes votes; and Senate Concurrent Resolution 2 (commemoration of the 25th anniversary of Sept. 11) passed 73–0. On the concurrence calendar the House handled substitute HB45 (fire code amendments), ultimately passing the first substitute for final passage 71–1 after addressing a traffic-calming-device provision.

The House Rules Committee reported numerous bill replacements and referrals, sending a large package to standing committees (e.g., Natural Resources; Education; Judiciary; Law Enforcement; Transportation; Public Utilities and Energy). The Speaker then recessed the House until 2:00 p.m.