Committee of the Whole advances a package of bills on second reading; several pass with minimal debate

The Senate's Committee of the Whole reported a package of bills do pass on second reading during floor action today. Several of the measures were debated at length (see separate stories), while others moved forward with relatively brief discussion or committee-level action.

Bills reported do pass on second reading (committee report):

- Senate Bill 194 (Trevis): Moves administrative appeals for public assistance from the Board of Public Assistance to the Department of Public Health and Human Services (45 ayes, 5 nays).

- Senate Bill 82 (Yakovich): Establishes an adjustment to the blindness program and creates eligibility and independent living services and hearing rights (42 ayes, 8 nays).

- Senate Bill 69 (Lammers): Revises county attorney reporting requirements related to childhood abuse; changes reporting to once per year (reported vote: 50 ayes, 0 nays recorded at the time of announcement).

- Senate Bill 144 (Yakovich): Changes the name of the Mental Health Oversight Advisory Council to the Behavioral Health Advisory Council (50 ayes, 0 nays reported).

- Senate Joint Resolution 3 (Usher): Urges Congress to revise commercial driver's license laws (42 ayes, 8 nays).

In addition, the committee reported earlier-mentioned measures (SB 164; SB 112; SB 113 as amended; SB 158) do pass on second reading; separate coverage has been filed for bills with sustained debate.

Clerk-recorded tallies were read into the record for each bill; the committee report was adopted by the Senate and the measures proceed in the legislative process.