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Proposal to cap number of bills per lawmaker put on hold after committee debate
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Summary
Representative Okerlund proposed HJR19 to cap bill requests (drafted as six per representative, 10 per senator) to reduce total bill volume and drafting costs. Members and staff debated how the cap would affect bill files, committee bills and single‑subject rules; the committee voted unanimously to hold the measure for further study.
Representative Okerlund offered HJR19, a rules proposal that would limit the number of bills lawmakers may number during a session — as drafted, six per representative and 10 per senator — arguing that the change would reduce drafting costs and encourage restraint.
"If we say six times 75 and 10 times 29...we arrive at a number that's about 700 to 750," Okerlund said, adding that the intent is not to prevent necessary fixes but to reduce redundant or performative legislation and spread workload. He proposed allowing the rules committee to grant exceptions when a genuine need arises.
Members asked whether the draft would restrict opening bill files or only numbered requests. Legislative counsel Megan Bolen explained the draft limits numbered requests rather than initial file openings. Representatives raised concerns about gaming the cap through omnibus legislation or by shifting work into committee bills generated in the interim.
A member of the public who identified himself as Todd Wilder spoke in support, offering context about Senate practice and the tradeoffs of combining committees. Several legislators said they supported the conversation but wanted more research on consequences such as reduced scrutiny or increased omnibus legislation.
Representative Burton moved to hold HJR19 to allow more study and caucus discussion. The committee voted by voice and unanimously agreed to hold the resolution for further work.
