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Senator Rosenboom outlines bill limiting governor's emergency powers; Democrats caucus
Summary
Senator Rosenboom introduced House File 26 94, describing provisions that would prohibit the governor from closing or regulating places of worship during a state emergency and bar certain election‑rule changes without legislative approval; Democrats paused the floor to caucus before amendments were considered.
Senator Rosenboom presented House File 26 94, a bill from the other chamber that, he said on the floor, would limit aspects of the governor's emergency powers. Rosenboom said the bill would prohibit the governor from closing or placing mandates on places of worship during a declared disaster or public health emergency and would prevent emergency proclamations from authorizing changes to local, county or state election rules without prior approval of the general assembly. He also said the bill would prohibit regulation of conduct within a private residence and would bar mandatory vaccination requirements in those circumstances.
Rosenboom described the bill's definition of a "place of worship" as a building with an active congregation devoted to worship and said measures in a state of disaster may recommend but not require private businesses to cease lawful operations. After opening remarks and noting there are amendments, Senator Weiner announced a Democratic caucus and the Senate went to recess for the caucus, pausing further floor action on the bill.
What happens next: Consideration of amendments and any votes on House File 26 94 was deferred while the Senate was at ease for a Democratic caucus.
