Senate Judiciary advances three bills by voice votes; one bill sent to full Senate

The Senate Judiciary Committee held its March 25, 2025 meeting and approved three bills by voice vote early in the session and later forwarded Senate Bill 296 to the full Senate.

The committee recorded the immediate passage—by voice vote—of Senate Bill 280 after Senator Palino moved passage and Senator Burke seconded. Senator Burke later moved passage of Senate Bill 303 and the chair announced that “the ayes have it.” Senator Dimitri moved the passage of Senate Bill 354, which the chair also announced as passed by voice vote.

Later in the hearing, Senator Basilio moved to pass Senate Bill 296 (relating to corrections and fees) to the full Senate; the motion passed on a voice vote. Several other bills discussed at the hearing were not advanced; the committee took motions to hold many items for further study.

Why it matters: The early, unanimous voice votes cleared three measures quickly and sent SB296 on for floor consideration, while the committee used holds and further study to delay decisions on more contested measures, including several criminal procedure and public-safety proposals.

Votes at a glance - Senate Bill 280: Moved by Senator Palino; seconded by Senator Burke; voice vote; outcome: approved and recorded as passed. - Senate Bill 303: Moved by Senator Burke; voice vote; outcome: approved and recorded as passed. - Senate Bill 354: Moved by Senator Dimitri; voice vote; outcome: approved and recorded as passed. - Senate Bill 296: Motion to pass to the full Senate moved by Senator Basilio; voice vote; outcome: passed to the full Senate.

Committee practice: Several contested bills were not advanced and were formally "held for further study," a routine step that gives sponsors and stakeholders time to refine language or negotiate changes before the committee takes a final vote.