This was crossover week, when the House had to take any action on House bills, and the Senate had to take any action on Senate bills (except for the budget). After crossover, senators go over to the House to defend their bills and vice versa. Unfortunately, there are always a few casualties--bills that don't make the crossover; a few are highlighted below.

This was the last week before crossover. All bills that will make it to the other chamber had to be heard in committee this week. The House has passed 410 bills and the Senate has passed 331; both have hundreds more pending. The beginning of next week will have very long floor sessions.

Big floor votes this week:

• The House passed on a party-line vote HB1 (Ward) to approve a raise in the minimum wage (this was a re-enactment of a bill passed in a previous year) to $13.50/hr on January 1, 2025; and $15.00/hr on January 1, 2026.

• The House passed HB906 (Shin) that prevents utilities from shutting off service to consumers during a state of emergency or the next 30 days.

• On party-line votes, the House passed HB183 (Simon) and the Senate passed SB368 (Boysko) to require gun owners with minors in the house store firearms and ammunition in a locked place inaccessible to the minor.

• The House passed a ban on assault weapons (HB2-Helmer) on a party-line vote.