Jackson — The Mississippi Senate on the floor voted to dispense with several routine readings and set a recess until 5 p.m., as senators announced committee hearings, events and civic visitors during a brief session.

Senator Blackwell moved to dispense with the reading of the journal, the reading of committee reports and the reading of the titles of bills and resolutions; each motion was approved by voice vote, recorded in the transcript as “the ayes have it.” Blackwell later moved that the Senate stand in recess until 5 p.m., at which time the journal would reflect the chamber adjourned until 10 a.m. the following day; that motion also carried by voice vote.

The actions shortened routine formalities so senators could proceed to scheduled committee business and public events. The chamber also introduced Father Gerry Hurley of St. Paul Catholic Church in Flowood, who gave the invocation, and Dr. Brianna Heard Pino, introduced as the session’s doctor of the day and identified as a family medicine physician at Mission Primary Care Clinic in Vicksburg.

Senators used the floor to announce several committee meetings and public events: a legislative reception hosted by the city of Jackson and Hinds County from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.; an appropriation subcommittee meeting for public health and mental health in room 216 at 1:30 p.m.; municipalities and judiciary B committee hearings on homelessness and vagrancy immediately after adjournment in room 409; Oak Grove High School choir performance at 11:45 a.m. in the Rotunda; continuation of IHL budget hearings at 10:30 a.m. in room 216; and a Public Health and Welfare meeting at 3 p.m. in room 216 featuring a presentation by Dr. Raccord on criminal-justice issues involving mental-health questions, including competency and insanity defenses.

Senator Hopson asked to meet briefly after recess with several senators to reshuffle subcommittee and appropriations assignments. Senator Sparks announced the annual Mississippi Legislative Prayer Breakfast at First Baptist’s Jackson Fellowship Hall East from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. and invited legislators to participate in the group singing traditionally held at that event.

The session opened with ceremonial remarks and introductions of junior pages representing multiple districts; senators applauded the group on the floor. With the procedural dispensations and the recess motion carried by voice votes, the chamber moved to adjourn until its 5 p.m. recess schedule and planned to reconvene business at 10 a.m. the next day.