Senate Judiciary Committee adopts Rule 39, approves March 27, 2024 minutes and welcomes new ranking member

At the Senate Judiciary Committee's opening meeting of the 2025 session, members approved the minutes of the committee's March 27, 2024, meeting and adopted Rule 39 as the committee's rules by voice vote, and they welcomed a newly seated ranking member who addressed the panel.

The actions set procedural footing for the panel before it begins detailed bill work. The chair said the committee already has started moving bills into subcommittees and that the "first wave of bills, I believe, are generally non con technical bills." The clerk took roll “silently,” and those not present were to be excused until they arrived.

A motion to approve the minutes of the March 27, 2024, meeting was made by Senator Shipley and carried on a voice vote. Senator Webster moved adoption of Rule 39 as the committee's rules; that motion also carried on a voice vote. Later, Senator Bussello moved to adjourn, and the meeting was closed.

The committee briefly welcomed its new ranking member, who did not give a name in the transcript. The new ranking member said, "This wasn't my fault. It was put here before," and added, "I'm a I'm a lawyer, so I look forward to working through this, process in the judiciary. Look forward to working together when we can." Senator Julian Garrett, identified himself as vice chair of the committee and said he has represented District 11 since 2011 and that serving on the judiciary panel is an honor.

The committee did not record roll-call vote tallies in the transcript excerpt; recorded votes in the meeting were taken by voice with members responding "Aye." The chair indicated subcommittees will convene to review the initial set of bills assigned for the session.