Senate suspends rule so governor can file budget bills, advances large batches of legislation

The Tennessee Senate on the floor suspended Senate Rule 25 to allow the governor to timely file his budget and budget-implementation bills by Friday, Feb. 14, Majority Leader Blair Johnson said.

Leader Johnson moved that, "proper notice having been given," large groups of Senate bills be passed on first and second consideration and either referred to the appropriate standing committee or held on the clerk's desk; the presiding officer announced the measures passed without objection.

The move cleared a wide docket ahead of the governor's budget presentation and helps ensure the chamber and its committees can consider the administration's proposed spending plan. Leader Johnson told the Senate the suspension was intended to permit the governor to file his budget bills by the close of business Friday so committees have time to review the proposals.

The Senate also approved a consent calendar of memorializing and congratulatory resolutions without objection and adopted motions to refer other bills to committee. Members repeatedly used the procedural phrase "without objection" as batches of numbered bills were advanced under the suspension.

At the close of regular business, Leader Johnson moved that the Senate recess and repair to the House chamber for the governor's State of the State address; the motion carried and the Senate stood in recess, with adjournment scheduled until 8:30 a.m. Wednesday next.

The procedural moves set the committee calendar for the governor's budget presentation and keep standing committees on a timetable to review legislation tied to that proposal. The Finance, Ways and Means Committee was reminded that it will meet tomorrow morning at 8:30 a.m. to consider budget matters and that the budget documents will be distributed to members' offices.