Senate rules committee refers SB 44 for clerical changes and schedules four-bill calendar for Monday

The Senate Standing Rules Committee voted to refer Senate Bill 44 to the standing rules committee for clerical changes and approved a four-bill calendar for the coming Monday that includes SB 6, SB 8, SB 23 and SB 35.

Senator Kennedy moved the referral, saying, “Motion we refer senate bill 44 to standing rules committee, please.” Senator Watson seconded the motion. The chair called the question and members answered in the affirmative; the chair said the bill would be returned next week with a substitute reflecting the clerical corrections.

The committee then heard a sequence of brief presentations on other bills. Senator Kirkpatrick summarized several measures: Senate Bill 5, described as the “Gold Card” bill, which would create a fast-track prior-authorization process for certain providers; Senate Bill 6, which would…