Senate dispenses with routine readings, retains Senate Resolution 505 and recesses until 5 p.m.

The Senate on Tuesday moved quickly through routine opening business, voting to dispense with the reading of the journal and committee reports, to dispense with the reading of bill and resolution titles, and to pass and retain item No. 1 on the rules calendar, Senate Resolution 505. Senator Blackwell moved several of the procedural items; Senator Michelle asked that the chamber pass and retain SR 505.

The procedural clears the way for committee activity this week and scheduled subcommittee meetings across the Appropriations Committee, Senate leaders said during the session. The Senate also recessed until 5 p.m. and recorded that it would stand adjourned until 10 a.m. the following morning.

Why it matters: Dispensing with routine readings is a frequent procedural step that shortens floor time by avoiding full oral readings of documents already available to members. Passing and retaining a resolution on the rules calendar places that resolution on the Senate’s active agenda for consideration under that calendar, while the recess and meeting schedule set the timetable for committee work this week.

On the motions: Senator Blackwell moved to dispense with the reading of the journal; the presiding officer put the question and the ayes were recorded. Senator Blackwell also moved to dispense with the reading of committee reports. Separately, Senator Blackmun moved to dispense with the reading of titles of bills and resolutions; the ayes were recorded for that motion as well. Senator Michelle asked the chamber to pass and retain item No. 1 on the rules calendar, identified in the session as Senate Resolution 505; chamber remarks indicate the item was recorded as passed and retained on the rules calendar.

Scheduling and announcements during the session included multiple Appropriations subcommittee meeting notices: Subcommittee on Revenue at 1:30 p.m. in Room 216; Subcommittee 10 at 1:30 p.m. in Room 210; Subcommittee 7 at 3:30 p.m. in Room 210 and again Thursday at 1:30 p.m.; Subcommittee 14 and Subcommittee 15 meetings were also announced for this week with times and rooms given on the floor.

Several senators requested excused absences and offered closing memorials. Senator Frazier introduced the day’s pages. Senator Blackwell moved that the Senate stand in recess until 5 p.m.; the motion carried and the journal will reflect the Senate standing adjourned until 10 a.m. the following morning.

Less-critical details: The session opened with roll call, an invocation and the Pledge of Allegiance; those ceremonial items and several “in memory” adjournment requests were part of the record but did not alter the chamber’s procedural votes. The journal and committee reports were not read aloud because the Senate voted to dispense with those readings.