Committee member withdraws motion to vote on "2 52"; panel to seek more testimony

A committee member withdrew a motion to vote on "2 52" Thursday during a brief reconvening of the Health Corrections and Institutions committee, saying supporters urged more time and additional testimony before a final vote.

"I will respectfully withdraw my motion to vote on 2 52, but I hope that we really do stand firm and that we take thoughtful testimony next year," the committee member said, asking the panel to defer action until further refinement. The member said they had discussed the proposal with supporters during the recess and that the measure was not the "final, end all" version.

The Chair asked for a second to the original motion; the second was then withdrawn, leaving no active motion to vote on. The Chair told members the committee would return to the floor and expected a long afternoon dedicated to amendment work.

Committee leadership also said the Department of Mental Health presentation would be rescheduled so the panel could finish conversations on S193 (referred to in the record as "s 1 93"). The Chair reported that the four committee chairs — Martin, Teresa, Alicia and Ivan — had met and conducted a walkthrough of what was described on the record as "Best 193," and that there were "real concerns" about using that item to house people. The Chair said Eric McGuire "is pretty clear that this is not appropriate to house folks."

The committee announced it would reconvene at 8:30 a.m. the following morning to continue amendment consideration. The committee member who withdrew the motion said they hoped the panel would take formal testimony on the measure on Jan. 27, allowing additional review and public input before any vote.

The brief session concluded with scheduling and procedural directions; no substantive vote or formal policy change occurred during the reconvening.