Senate adopts weekend adjournment, passes hospital workplace-violence bill; charter amendment for Barre sent forward

The Senate adopted JRS 22 setting the weekend adjournment and approved several bills and orders on April 15 during a session of the Senate.

JRS 22, a joint resolution setting the adjournment so that when the two houses adjourn on Friday, April 18, 2025, they be scheduled to meet no later than Tuesday, April 22, 2025, was put to voice vote and adopted, the presiding officer announcing, “The ayes have it, and we have adopted JRS 22.”

The chamber also moved multiple legislative items through the calendar. S.259, "an act related to preventing workplace violence in a hospital," passed the Senate in concurrence after third reading. During second-reading discussion, the senator from Washington asked whether the bill covered reporting of domestic violence that occurred outside of the hospital; the senator clarified that, to their knowledge, the bill would cover domestic violence only if the incident occurred within the hospital.

S.124, an item listed on the calendar as related to miscellaneous agricultural subjects that failed to meet crossover, was referred to the committee on rules under Temporary Senate Rule 44(a). S.151, "an act relating to special motions to strike in an action arising from unpaid volunteer work for a nonprofit organization or governmental entity," was given its first reading and referred to the committee on judiciary; the bill was introduced by Senator Clarkson.

H.10, described as "an act relating to approval of amendments to the charter of the city of Barre," was reported by the committee on government operations. The committee proposed technical amendments to align the charter text with current municipal practice, including removing a phrase to ensure the city has a full 365-day fiscal year, recognizing that the city has been holding its annual meeting in May (rather than March) for several years, and eliminating a separate treasurer position where the clerk currently serves as treasurer. The committee reported the amendment by a committee vote of 5-0-0 and asked for Senate support. The Senate approved proposing the committee’s amendment to the House and ordered third reading of H.10.

Several items were voice-voted with no roll-call tallies recorded on the floor transcript. Committee-level votes that were recorded in committee reports (for example, the 5-0-0 committee vote on H.10) are noted as reported on the floor.

Votes at a glance

- JRS 22 (joint resolution setting weekend adjournment to meet no later than April 22, 2025): Adopted (voice vote).

- S.124 (miscellaneous agricultural subjects; failed crossover): Referred to committee on rules per Temporary Senate Rule 44(a).

- S.151 (first reading; special motions to strike for unpaid volunteer work): Introduced by Senator Clarkson; referred to judiciary (first reading).

- S.259 (preventing workplace violence in hospitals): Passed in concurrence (voice vote). During second-reading clarification, a senator noted coverage of domestic violence reporting would apply only when the incident occurs within a hospital setting.

- H.10 (approval of amendments to the charter of the city of Barre): Committee on Government Operations reported proposed amendments (committee vote 5-0-0); Senate proposed the committee amendment to the House and ordered third reading.

Procedural notes and context

Many of the floor actions were completed by voice vote, with the presiding officer announcing outcomes. Committee actions and explanations were given on the floor, including a technical amendment to the Barre charter intended to ensure the municipality has a full fiscal year and to codify a town meeting date that the municipality has been following. The transcript records committee recommendations and floor sequencing (first reading, second reading, third reading), and does not include recorded roll-call tallies for the items adopted by voice vote.

The Senate adjourned to meet again at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, April 16, 2025.