Senate moves two bills between committees, refers three bills and passes automobile-insurance measure

The Vermont Senate on an uncodified session day voted to reassign two bills to new committees, heard first readings and committee referrals for three other bills and approved S7, an automobile-insurance bill, on a voice vote.

The actions came during routine business after an opening devotional. The Senate approved motions to relieve the Committee on Government Operations of S 43 (an act relating to reference-based pricing and cost containment in the State Employees Health Plan) and of S 44 (an act relating to requiring legislative approval prior to entering into certain immigration agreements). Both bills were committed on voice votes: S 43 to the Committee on Health and Welfare and S 44 to the Committee on Judiciary. The clerk and president recorded the outcome as “the ayes have it.” Vote tallies were not specified in the transcript.

In introductions and referrals, Senator Stephen Clarkson introduced S 48, "An act relating to workforce leadership in Vermont," which was read the first time and referred to the Committee on Economic Development, Housing, and General Affairs. Senator Ulick introduced S 49, "An act relating to protecting the privacy of individuals seeking reproductive health care services," which was read the first time and referred to the Committee on Health and Welfare. Senator Watson introduced S 50, "An act relating to increasing the size of solar net metering projects that qualify for expedited registration," which was read the first time and referred to the Committee on Natural Resources and Energy. The first readings were procedural; no substantive debate on those bills is recorded in the transcript.

On third reading, S 7, "An act relating to automobile insurance," was read and put to the question. The president called for the voice vote; the transcript records the president saying, "The ayes do have it," and the clerk noting the bill passed. The transcript does not record individual roll-call votes or counts for that passage.

Senators also made scheduling announcements: the Senate will stand adjourned until 1 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 6; several committees (Appropriations, Government Operations, Institutions) were scheduled to meet at 1:30 p.m. The transcript records these as announcements rather than formal committee actions.

What happened (decisions and procedural moves) - S 43: Motion by the senator from Rutland to relieve the Committee on Government Operations of S 43 and commit the bill to the Committee on Health and Welfare; outcome committed on a voice vote (aye recorded; tally not specified). - S 44: Motion by the senator from Rutland to relieve the Committee on Government Operations of S 44 and commit the bill to the Committee on Judiciary; outcome committed on a voice vote (aye recorded; tally not specified). - S 48 (first reading): Read the first time and referred to the Committee on Economic Development, Housing, and General Affairs; no debate recorded. - S 49 (first reading): Read the first time and referred to the Committee on Health and Welfare; no debate recorded. - S 50 (first reading): Read the first time and referred to the Committee on Natural Resources and Energy; no debate recorded. - S 7 (third reading): Read the third time and passed on a voice vote; the transcript records the president saying, "The ayes do have it." No roll-call or numerical vote totals appear in the transcript.

No formal amendments, amendments' effects, or roll-call tallies are recorded in the provided transcript excerpt. Where the transcript did not supply numeric vote counts or named movers for a particular procedural vote, this article reports the outcome (committed/passed) and notes that detailed tallies were not specified.

The session then stood adjourned until the stated time.