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Journal of the Senate

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TUESDAY, MARCH 21, 2000

The Senate was called to order by the President.

Devotional Exercises

A moment of silence was observed in lieu of devotions.

Pledge of Allegiance

The President then led the members of the Senate in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Message from the House

A message was received from the House of Representatives by Mr. Bertrand, its Second Assistant Clerk, as follows:

Mr. President:

I am directed to inform the Senate the House has passed a bill of the following title:

H. 847. An act relating to civil unions.

In the passage of which the concurrence of the Senate is requested.

The House has considered a Joint Resolution originating in the Senate of the following title:

J.R.S. 94. Joint resolution relating to weekend adjournment.

And has adopted the same in concurrence.

Message from the House

A message was received from the House of Representatives by Mr. Bertrand, its Second Assistant Clerk, as follows:

Mr. President:

I am directed to inform the Senate the House has passed a bill of the following title:

H. 629. An act relating to containing special education costs while continuing to meet the needs of all Vermont students.

The House has adopted a Joint Resolution of the following title:

J.R.H. 206. Joint resolution relating to Plymouth cheese factory.

In the adoption of which the concurrence of the Senate is requested.

The House has considered a Joint Resolution originating in the Senate of the following title:

J.R.S. 92 Joint resolution congratulating retiring town clerk Rachel Westover on completing 32 years of outstanding municipal service in Newport Town.

And has adopted the same in concurrence.

Proposed Amendment to the Constitution Introduced

The Proposed Amendment to the Constitution of the State of Vermont designated as Proposal 7 was introduced, read the first time and referred:

By Senator Bahre,

PROPOSAL 7

Sec. 1. PURPOSE

This proposal would amend the Vermont Constitution to permit proposals of amendment to the Constitution to be initiated during the first year of any biennial session of the General Assembly, and to require passage in the Senate in the first biennium by a majority vote.

Sec. 2. Section 72 of Chapter II of the Vermont Constitution is amended to read:

§ 72. [AMENDING CONSTITUTION]

*[At the]* During the first year of any biennial session of the General Assembly of this State *[which convenes in A.D. 1975, and at the biennial session convening every fourth year thereafter]*, the Senate by a majority vote of *[two-thirds of]* its members, may propose amendments to this Constitution, with the concurrence of a majority of the members of the House of Representatives with the amendment as proposed by the Senate. A proposed amendment so adopted by the Senate and concurred in by the House of Representatives shall be referred to the next biennial session of the General Assembly; and if at that last session a majority of the members of the Senate and a majority of the House of Representatives concur in the proposed amendment, it shall be the duty of the General Assembly to submit the proposal directly to the voters of the *[state]* State. Any proposed amendment submitted to the voters of the *[state]* State in accordance with this section which is approved by a majority of the voters voting thereon shall become part of the Constitution of this State.

Prior to the submission of a proposed amendment to a vote in accordance with this section, public notice of the proposed amendment shall be given by proclamation of the Governor.

The General Assembly shall provide for the manner of voting on amendments proposed under this section, and shall enact legislation to carry the provisions of this section into effect.

To the Committee on Government Operations.

Bills Referred

House bills of the following titles were severally read the first time and referred:

H. 629. An act relating to containing special education costs while continuing to meet the needs of all Vermont students.

To the Committee on Education.

H. 847. An act relating to civil unions.

To the Committee on Judiciary.

Proposed Amendment to Constitution Made Special Order

Proposed Amendment to the Constitution of the State of Vermont designated as Proposal 4,

Was taken up.

Thereupon, pending the reading of the report of the Committee on Government Operations, on motion of Senator Doyle, the Proposed Amendment to the Constitution was made a Special Order for March 29, 2000, at one o'clock and forty-five minutes in the afternoon.

Joint Resolution Adopted in Concurrence

Joint House resolution entitled:

J.R.H. 205. Joint resolution urging Congress to fully subsidize all absentee ballot postal costs.

Having been placed on the Calendar for action, was taken up.

Thereupon, the pending question, Shall the joint resolution be adopted in concurrence? was decided in the affirmative.

Bill Called Up

Senate bill of the following title was called up by Senator Kittell, and, under the rule, placed on the Calendar for action tomorrow:

S. 223. An act relating to nonambulatory livestock.

Adjournment

On motion of Senator Shumlin, the Senate adjourned until one o'clock and thirty minutes in the afternoon on Wednesday, March 22, 2000.