Arizona Senate opens session, reads dozens of bills and schedules committee hearings

The Arizona Senate convened for an organizational session that included a prayer, the pledge of allegiance, roll call and the clerk27s reading of dozens of bills that were assigned to committees.

Madam Majority Leader moved, citing the state constitution, that the Senate "request consent of the House of Representatives for the Senate to adjourn on Thursday, January 16, 2025 after it has completed its labors until Wednesday, January 22, 2025," and the presiding officer announced that the ayes had it.

The prayer was led by Donna Kiefer, legislative chaplain, and the pledge was led by Senator Angus. The secretary recorded 28 senators present, none absent and two excused. The reading of the journal for Jan. 13, 2025 was dispensed with and approved as recorded by the secretary.

From the president27s desk the chamber heard appointments: the presiding officer announced the appointment of Senator Bravo to the Committee on Director Nominations, the Education Committee, the Finance Committee, the Rules Committee and to the Joint Legislative Audit Committee.

The clerk read a long series of bills by number and assigned…