Memorial to Sen. Mike Carrell in the Senate chamber.

OLYMPIA -- The Senate appears poised for action this afternoon on as yet unscheduled bills.

With a portrait of the late Sen. Mike Carrell looking on and a state flag folded ceremonially on his desk, the Senate moved quickly this morning through the standard pro forma session. Standard until the very end when instead of adjourning for the day, the chamber went "at ease, subject to call."

Republicans then went into caucus. Democratic leadership huddled with Lt. Gov. Brad Owen in the wings. A regular session was set for 1 p.m.

There may be some tributes to Carrell, who died last week of complications from treatment for a blood disorder, when most Republican senators weren't in town and shocked Democrats only learned of it in an announcement on the chamber floor.

As far as legislation, the list of possibilities isn't long, but it does have two bills the Ways and Means Committee sent out on Friday: one for tougher penalties on repeat DUI offenders and another that attempts to fix a problem with the state's estate tax. 

---

---