Rules Committee advances dozens of Senate measures in two mass motions

The Rules Committee voted to advance two grouped sets of Senate measures Tuesday after the committee’s rules attorney said the bills are constitutional and in proper form.

In a pair of mass motions, the committee moved nonbudget and budget measures forward for further consideration. Representative Wynne moved the first mass motion to advance Senate Bills 1500, 1507 and 1537, and later moved a second mass motion to advance a group of budget bills (listed on the record as Senate Bills 1735–1750) and two Senate concurrent resolutions, 1041 and 1042.

The committee’s rules attorney, Tim Fleming, told members the office had reviewed the measures and concluded “they’re each constitutional and in proper form,” adding that earlier meetings had flagged style-and-form issues rather than policy choices. Fleming referenced prior discussions on June 13 and June 24 and said the same form and style tensions persist; he offered to answer questions, and none were raised.

On both motions the secretary called the roll. For the first motion, the transcript records affirmative votes by Representative Carbone, Representative Contreras, Representative Veil Los Santos, Representative Mathis, Speaker Montenegro, Representative Willoughby, Vice Chairman Wynne and Chairman Diaz; by the committee’s recorded vote of eight ayes, the motion carried. The second mass motion passed on the same recorded tally of eight ayes.

Committee business concluded with the committee adjourning without further action.

Why it matters: By approving the mass motions, the Rules Committee cleared the listed measures to move forward in the legislative process; the committee’s review focused on constitutionality and drafting form rather than the policy merits of the bills.