Divided Senate passes sign language interpreter bill; breaks ‘til 3:30 p.m.

The Senate seems rather divided today. It just voted 18-16 in favor of HB 46, the sign language interpreter bill, sending the House-passed measure to the governor’s desk. Already today, the Senate has killed two bills on fairly narrow votes, a massage therapy bill on a 14-20 vote and an anti-“coal rolling” measure on a 16-18 vote. Now, the Senate’s recessed until 3:30 this afternoon, when it will be on the floor until 5; afternoon Senate committee meetings will be compressed and have been moved up to 1 and 2 p.m. instead of 1:30 and 3.