Representative Proposes Allowing Annual Sessions or Longer Total Days; Committee Debates Tradeoffs

Representative Jim Casper introduced House Concurrent Resolution 30 36, a proposed constitutional amendment to allow the Legislative Assembly to meet annually or biannually and to increase the allowable days in the biennium from 80 to 100. Casper briefed the House Government and Veterans Affairs Committee on the measure and answered questions from lawmakers.

"Currently, the constitution says we may serve up to 80 days through the biennium," Casper said. He said the first and last weeks of session often include slow, organizational work and that increasing the total days could ease scheduling pressure if the legislature moves to annual sessions.

Committee members raised practical and fiscal concerns. Representative Van Winkle asked whether the measure would effectively permit 100 days every year; Casper clarified the proposal would still cap meeting time to 100 days during the two‑year biennium. Several members said a longer calendar could encourage more bill filings and increase state costs for operations and support staff. Representative Greenberg and others pointed to the additional burden on citizen‑legislators who would need to serve more frequently if sessions become annual.

Casper said the amendment leaves operational decisions to legislative management: if voters approve the constitutional change, legislative management would determine whether to meet annually or not and how to schedule sessions. Casper emphasized the question would go to voters; the resolution as drafted would appear on the ballot in the 2026 election if the legislature approves it.

The committee voted a do‑not‑pass recommendation (10‑4) on the measure during the meeting.