HELENA — The Montana Senate has approved a bipartisan effort to suspend the rules of space and time in an effort to pressure the House to pass remaining legislation and adjourn the 2017 session.
The Senate voted to declare that the 87th legislative day ended Thursday morning and that the 88th day will begin Thursday afternoon.
It’s a procedural move designed to allow the House to reconvene before Friday to take final votes on an $80 million infrastructure package and an accompanying bill to fund regional water projects.
The Senate also set a 1 p.m. Friday deadline for the legislative session to adjourn.
Earlier Thursday, the House rejected the infrastructure package but voted to take another vote on it the next legislative day. That and the water bill also must be approved by the Senate to pass.