Senate suspends Rule 46 to allow committee work, refers measures to committees

The Washington State Senate on Feb. 20 temporarily suspended Rule 46 to allow continued committee action during the floor session and moved several measures to committee consideration.

Senator Rochelli moved to suspend Rule 46 to permit committee work to continue during the floor session; the motion was approved without objection. The Senate also voted to dispense with the reading of the journal and approved the previous day’s journal.

The secretary read the standing committee reports listing measures and appointees. The Senate approved the committee referrals as designated but directed two measures — Substitute House Bill 2152 (permitting the medical use of cannabis in specified health-care facilities) and Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2471 (concerning collective bargaining) — to the Committee on Ways and Means for further consideration.

Later, the Senate advanced to the eighth order of business by unanimous consent and continued toward the day’s scheduled presentations and votes.

No roll-call tallies were recorded in the floor transcript for these procedural approvals; actions were taken by voice vote or unanimous consent as recorded on the floor.