Appropriations panel declines to advance bill to require annual legislative sessions

Representative Alana Bail introduced House Bill 14‑08, proposing annual legislative sessions beginning in 2027 while preserving the constitutionally required 80 legislative days in a biennium. The Senate Appropriations Committee’s Government Operations Division considered the bill, adopted an amendment that would limit each annual session to 70 calendar days, then ultimately issued a do‑not‑pass recommendation and referred the bill to the full Senate without a favorable committee report.

Supporters said the change would help the Legislature respond more quickly to economic and fiscal events and reduce barriers for prospective lawmakers who cannot commit to a four‑month session. Representative Alana Bail…