Who knew there were this many things that had to be fixed?
The legislative sessions in Idaho, Montana, Wyoming and Washington are over. Depending on your political perspective, the benefits - or damages - will be felt for years to come.
One thing that isn’t in dispute? Lawmakers couldn't help but introduce a record number of bills in Idaho, Montana and Wyoming. Washington may also be added to that list, depending on what happens in the second part of its biennium.
In Idaho, lawmakers introduced nearly 800 pieces of legislation - the highest mark going back at least 16 years. Less than 50 percent of the legislation actually made it across the finish line.
Higher numbers are expected in Idaho, as lawmakers now individually introduce and approve every state department budget, rather than just one large state budget.
Still, the numbers are staggering, not only for lawmakers who work at the state capitol, but also for citizens who try to follow the session and be involved in the process. Making it more challenging in Idaho is the sometimes minimal lack of notice regarding hearings for bills that have been introduced. We've recommended that lawmakers commit to a Rule of Three to allow citizens more time to be engaged.
In Montana, lawmakers also hit a record of 1,761 bills introduced, with a little more than half being signed into law by Governor Gianforte.
Montana's joint Rule 40-40 "allows members of the Montana Legislature to request an unlimited number of bill or resolution drafts before December 5. After that date, a member may request the Legislative Council to prepare no more than seven bills or resolutions. Unused requests by one member may be granted to another member. The limits do not apply to code commissioner bills or committee bills."
In Wyoming, which divides sessions among general session years and budget years, lawmakers also hit a record of 556 bills introduced. But only 31 percent became law.
Washington state lawmakers were by far the least productive, passing only 19.5 percent of the more than 2,000 bills they introduced. And they're not done yet, as Washington works on a biennium and lawmakers will return next January to continue increasing the number.
Passing legislation certainly isn't a contest. And this column is in no way an encouragement to increase the across-the-finish-line percentages.
But it is worth pointing out that introducing legislation takes time and resources - resources that are provided by taxpayers (so perhaps a new state rock shouldn't be high on a lawmaker's list). More bill introductions also make tracking your elected official's work more difficult.
Some states, including Arizona, California, New Jersey, Colorado, North Carolina, Florida, North Dakota, Indiana, Louisiana and Montana have sought to restrict how many bills a legislator can introduce each session.
Do all states need a rule that limits a lawmaker's appetite for more and more legislation? Maybe. But we'd rather see a self-imposed diet.
(5) comments
Mike Matthews: The “point” of lawful flag displays is that public offices funded by all of the citizens should not display flags that favor one partisan group or interest group over others. The flags should either represent the nation as a whole or the state as a whole or express solidarity with those lost in combat or foreign captivity who have given their all for the nation as a whole.
Another writer from the Mountain States Policy Center uses up column inches without saying anything.
He made a point that he doesn't support.
Which political thinker was it who said “that government governs best that governs the least?” Proverbs 10:19 states “In the multitude of words there wanteth not transgression but he who restrains his words is wise!” And what was the point of Idaho’s new law governing lawful displays of flags on public properties passed without penalties for violation thereby allowing the Mayor of Boise to openly disrespect the law without consequences?
What was the 'point' of lawful displays of flags period. You're only interested in big brother when you're not in control.
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