The Senate gave first readings to six bills and referred each to a standing committee during a brief session; members then approved a motion to adjourn until 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025.

The measures read for the first time included S 1, described in the record as “an act relating to providing Medicaid equivalent coverage to all signatures”; S 2, “an act relating to establishing the office of health equity within the Department of Health”; S 3, “an act relating to the transfer of property to a trust”; S 4, “an act relating to maintenance and use of legal trails”; S 5, “an act relating to guardianship proceedings”; and S 6, “an act relating to repealing the commissioner of labor's authority to recommend a subminimum wage for individuals with a disability.” Each bill’s first reading was announced by the reading clerk and each was referred to a committee as noted below.

Why it matters: The bills touch on health coverage, state health equity infrastructure, property-transfer rules, public-trail maintenance, guardianship law, and the state’s authority over subminimum-wage recommendations for people with disabilities. Referral to committee begins the formal review process where testimony, amendments and votes may follow.

What the record shows

- S 1: The reading clerk announced “S 1, an act relating to providing Medicaid equivalent coverage to all signatures.” The transcript records the bill’s first reading; the sponsor in the record was stated as “Senator Beause each.” The bill was read for the first time and (per the record) referred to committee (committee name not specified in the transcript).

- S 2: The reading clerk announced S 2 as “an act relating to establishing the office of health equity within the Department of Health.” The introduction was recorded as “introduced by Senator Lyons.” The reading was followed by a referral to the Committee on Government Operations.

- S 3: The clerk read S 3 as “an act relating to the transfer of property to a trust.” The bill was introduced by Senator Hashim and referred to the Committee on Judiciary.

- S 4: The clerk read S 4 as “an act relating to maintenance and use of legal trails.” The bill was introduced by Senator Clarkson and referred to the Committee on Transportation.

- S 5: The reading clerk announced S 5 as “an act relating to guardianship proceedings.” The bill was introduced by Senator Williams and referred to the Committee on Judiciary.

- S 6: The clerk read S 6 as “an act relating to repealing the commissioner of labor's authority to recommend a subminimum wage for individuals with a disability.” The bill’s first reading was recorded and the measure was referred to the Committee on Economic Development, Housing and General Affairs.

Adjournment

During announcements the senator identified in the record as the Senator from Chittenton Central moved that “the Senate stand in adjournment until 9:30 a.m., Tuesday, January 14th.” The motion was put by voice vote; the presiding officer said “the ayes appear to have it” and the Senate adjourned. The record shows a voice response of “Aye” and an exchange of “No. Nay,” but individual roll-call votes were not recorded in the transcript.

Process notes and limitations

- The transcript records only first readings and committee referrals; no committee action, floor debate on the merits, amendments, or final passage of any listed bill is recorded in this session. Committee names are included where the reading clerk announced them; when a committee name was not specified in the transcript for a bill, the article notes that omission.

- Quotations in this story are transcribed from the reading clerk’s announcements as they appear in the meeting record. Sponsors are reported exactly as named in the transcript. If a sponsor or other name in the meeting record is unclear, the article reflects the phrasing used in the transcript rather than introducing an unverified correction.

The Senate reconvenes at the time indicated in the adjournment motion.