Finance, Revenue and Bonding Committee votes to report Senate Bill 4 to the floor after energy-policy debate, two recusals

The Finance, Revenue and Bonding Committee voted to report Senate Bill 4 “JF” (to the floor) after a roll-call vote that followed debate on energy and bonding provisions and two announced recusals.

The vote moved forward after Representative Horn made the motion to report the bill. Senator Kissel announced he would recuse himself from voting “to avoid even the appearance of impropriety” because he works part time for a large utility; another member also announced a recusal for a possible conflict of interest. Committee leadership held the roll call and left votes open until 11 a.m.

Why it matters: SB 4 is tied to broader energy legislation negotiators are trying to reconcile before the end of the session. Committee members described the measure as part of ongoing talks that may include bonding and other energy proposals; the outcome sends the bill to the next stage of consideration on the floor while negotiations continue.

During floor debate in committee, members voiced a mix of support for continued negotiations and opposition to the bill as written. Senator Fazio said many Republicans would vote no on the bill in its present form but urged continued, bipartisan negotiations: “On the on this bill today, on the the the, writing on the page today, I think, many Republicans, will be voting no, myself included, because because of the plain language of the the bill today. But we're all hopeful that, negotiations will be ongoing and in good faith on energy legislation and that, everyone will be at the table and that hopefully we can get to yes on a final product, before the house and the senate, in the coming 3 weeks.”

Senator Needleman urged colleagues to move the bill forward so negotiations can continue and confirmed the measure carries a bonding component: “I urge my colleagues to vote yes to move this forward so we can continue to work. There there will be a bonding component to the bill.” Representative Polleta echoed cautious optimism while saying the current bill was insufficient for a yes vote today and emphasized constituent concerns about high electric bills and the public benefits charge: “It is undoubtedly the number 1 issue this session… If we're truly serious about fixing this crisis that we have, because it is a crisis, it's affecting our economy.” Representative Mashinsky emphasized supply and efficiency as key parts of lowering costs and said she would support the bill at that time.

Procedural notes and recusals: At the start of committee consideration, Senator Kissel announced his recusal: “as I work part time for a large utility, I would like to avoid even the appearance of impropriety, and therefore, I will be recusing myself from voting on this bill that was referred by the energy and technology committee.” Another member also announced a recusal for a possible conflict of interest; the committee chair acknowledged both recusals.

Vote and next steps: Committee staff conducted a roll-call vote to report SB 4 to the floor. Multiple members recorded “yes” or “no” votes during the roll call; remote members later confirmed additional yes and no votes. The committee left votes open until 11 a.m. and recessed after the roll call. With the measure reported JF to the floor, negotiators indicated further bipartisan work is expected as the bill moves to the next stage.

The committee’s action does not itself finalize program details; sponsors and negotiators said remaining differences — including cost, bonding and supply measures — will be addressed in subsequent negotiations and floor consideration.