Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Legislation Introductions topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Senate conducts first readings of multiple bills, refers measures to committees and adjourns until Jan. 16
Summary
The Senate opened with a devotional, conducted first readings of several Senate and House bills — including measures on law-enforcement governance, voyeurism, transit, speed-assistance devices and motor-vehicle inspections — referred each to the appropriate committees, announced committee meetings and approved a motion to adjourn until Jan. 16, 2026.
The Senate opened its session with a devotional and then proceeded to the first reading and referral of a package of bills before adjourning until 11:30 a.m. Friday, Jan. 16, 2026.
Sen. Harrison and Sen. Hashim introduced S.255, "an act relating to establishing a pilot law enforcement governance council in Windham County," which received its first reading and was referred to the Committee on Government Operations. A chamber reader recited the bill title as part of the formal first reading.
Sen. Hashim introduced S.256, "an act relating to voyeurism and disclosure of explicit images without consent," and the measure was referred to the Committee on Judiciary after the first reading. Sen. Harrison brought forward S.257, "an act relating to nonprofit public transit systems," which was referred to the Committee on Transportation. Sen. Chittenton and others introduced S.258, "an act relating to intelligent speed assistance devices," referred to Judiciary after its first reading.
Sen. Harrison also introduced S.259, "an act relating to online driver education," referred to the Committee on Education, and S.260, "an act relating to legislative approval of leases for continued operation of state-owned railroad right of way," referred to the Committee on Transportation. S.261, "an act relating to liability limitations for certain railroad and utility property open to the public for recreational use," introduced by Sen. Harrison and others, was read and sent to Judiciary. Sen. Perchlich introduced S.262 (listed as S.2 62 in the record), "an act relating to motor vehicle inspections," and it was referred to Transportation.
The chamber also took up two House bills on first reading. H.28, "an act relating to including an affirmation option in oath requirements in titles 1 to 10 of the Vermont Statutes Annotated," was noted as introduced to the House previously and was read and referred to Judiciary with Sen. Chapman listed as a sponsor in the Senate. H.409, "an act relating to appeals of orders denying bail revocation," introduced by Rep. Lalonde of South Burlington and already passed by the House, received its first reading and was referred to the Committee on Judiciary.
Senators used the announcements period to publicize committee meetings and a joint Education Committee hearing: Senate Finance at 1:30 p.m., Government Operations at 2:00 p.m., Institutions at 2:00 p.m., and a joint hearing at 1:15 p.m. in Room 10. The Senator from Chittenden moved that the Senate stand adjourned until 11:30 a.m. Friday, Jan. 16, 2026. The presiding officer put the question; senators responded with a voice vote and the presiding officer declared, "The ayes have it." The Senate then stood adjourned.
No committee debate on the merits of the bills, no amendments, and no roll-call vote on the adjournment were recorded in the transcript.
