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Senate adopts JRS 28, preserves option to reconvene if federal funding changes
Summary
The Vermont Senate adopted JRS 28 and approved a series of procedural motions ordering bills to the governor and directing officials to notify the House and governor that the Senate has completed its business; the resolution specifies a default reconvening on Jan. 6, 2026, at 10 a.m. or earlier if called to address federal funding changes.
The Vermont Senate adopted JRS 28, a joint resolution relating to final adjournment of the General Assembly, and approved related procedural motions that ordered bills to the governor and directed officials to notify the House and governor that the Senate had completed its business.
The resolution states that when the presiding officers adjourn in June 2025 they shall do so to reconvene on the call of the speaker and president if needed, or on Jan. 6, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. The senator who introduced the resolution said the early reconvening language was added because “we may, God forbid, but we may experience severe cuts to our funding federally,” and offered the example that a cut to Medicaid expansion could leave the state “suddenly $200,000,000 off in our budget reckoning.”
Why it matters: the JRS 28 language preserves a mechanism for the legislature to return outside the normal schedule to address urgent fiscal changes coming from the federal government. Senate members approved voice votes on the resolution and on several accompanying motions that complete the Senate’s formal adjournment steps and forward enacted measures to the governor.
Major actions taken: the Senate voted, by voice, to adopt JRS 28; ordered under joint rule 15 that bills passed by both chambers be delivered to the governor; directed the Senate secretary to inform the House that the Senate had completed its business and was ready to adjourn pursuant to JRS 28; appointed a four-member committee to notify the governor; and then adjourned pursuant to JRS 28.
Senate business and timeline: during floor remarks the senator introducing JRS 28 explained that the reconvening clause would give the presiding officers discretion to call members back in September or October if federal budget actions required state response. The senator said the speaker and president would coordinate with members to set a date intended to maximize attendance. The senator also noted that H.480 was expected to be concurred with by the House and therefore would not require the Senate to delay adjournment.
Governor’s remarks: Governor Philip B. Scott addressed the Senate after members appointed the committee to notify him. He thanked senators for the session’s work and listed priorities he had urged for the year: “public safety, affordability, housing, and education,” saying lawmakers had made meaningful progress and that more work remained. He closed by encouraging members to enjoy the summer and return ready to continue work if called.
Votes at a glance: JRS 28 (joint resolution relating to final adjournment) — adopted (voice vote; tally not specified). Motion under Joint Rule 15 to order bills delivered to the governor — adopted (voice vote; tally not specified). Motion directing the Senate secretary to inform the House that the Senate had completed business and is ready to adjourn pursuant to JRS 28 — adopted (voice vote; tally not specified). Motion to appoint a committee of four to inform the governor the Senate had completed business — adopted (voice vote; tally not specified). Final motion to adjourn pursuant to JRS 28 — adopted (voice vote; tally not specified).
The Senate adjourned under the terms of JRS 28 with the appointed four-member committee (Senator Rahm Hinsdale, Senator Beck, Senator White, and Senator Collamore) dispatched to notify the governor.
