Subcommittee adopts substitute to conform Senate Bill 446 to House Bill 911; passes 6–3

The subcommittee voted 6 to 3 to report Senate Bill 446 after accepting a substitute that conforms the bill's language to House Bill 911, which the chair said had previously passed the body and the full transportation committee.

The chair explained that, because the language now matches House Bill 911, in‑person testimony would not be heard. Delegate Austin said he would vote against the substituted bill, noting he supports a two‑year permit but opposes a five‑year extension "because I would like to see the citizens be required to be on a path to citizenship to get to 5 year." He said he had voted against the House legislation previously and would do so again for that reason.

A motion to report with the substitute was made and seconded; after the roll was opened and closed the clerk announced the substitute‑conformed bill reported by a recorded vote of 6 to 3. With the substitute adopted and the bill reported, the legislation will proceed to the next step in the Senate process.