Senate refers H.532 to economic development committee, sends two revenue bills to Finance and Appropriations, appoints conference committee and adjourns

The Senate met in a short procedural session on Feb. 20, 2026, and took several referrals and scheduling actions before adjourning until 11:30 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 20, 2026.

Senator from Bennington moved that "the Committee on Education be relieved of H.532 and acted relating to mandatory retirement of college professors and that the bill be committed to the Committee on Economic Development, Housing, and General Affairs." The presiding officer put the question and, following a voice vote, declared, "The ayes have it, and you have committed H.532 to the Committee on Economic Development." The record shows a voice vote; numeric tallies were not specified.

The presiding officer also referred two Senate bills to standing committees: S.206, described as affecting state revenues and placed on the calendar for notice under Rule 31, was referred to the Committee on Finance; S.243, described as on the calendar for notice and carrying an appropriation under Rule 31, was referred to the Committee on Appropriations.

The chamber received H.790 back from the House, which reported that the House refused to concur in the Senate proposal of amendment and appointed a committee of conference. The Senate announced its appointees to the committee of conference as Senators Perchlik, Lyons and Westman.

Members also heard the first reading of H.B.98, "An act relating to copper-based to fiber-based telecommunications network transitions, and consumer protections." After the first reading, the presiding officer referred H.B.98 to the Committee on Finance for further consideration.

Several committee meeting times were announced for later the same day: the conference committee on H.790 at 1:30 p.m.; the Committee on Appropriations at 2:30 p.m.; the Committee on Government Operations at 1:30 p.m.; and Senate Finance at 1:30 p.m. The presiding officer also asked members of the Rules Committee to remain in the chamber for a brief meeting immediately following the fall of the gavel.

The senior senator from Chittenden Southeast moved that, pending announcements, the Senate stand adjourned until 11:30 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 20, 2026. The presiding officer put that question to a voice vote and announced that the ayes carried. The Senate recessed until the stated time.

Next steps: referred bills will be considered in the committees to which they were assigned; H.790 will proceed to a committee of conference with the named appointees.