Bill Limitation Proposed for House of Representatives

Speaker Harwell this year proposed a House rule to set a ten bill limit for all members of the House of Representatives.  Exempt from the bill would be private acts, some sunset bills for boards and commissions and administration legislation. The initial proposal met with some resistance from both Republicans and Democrats, raised concerns with Senators (who are not looking at such a limit and might have to scramble to find House sponsors) and others who thought the proposal would strengthen the executive branch to the detriment of the legislative branch.  The initial proposal exempted bills that were proposed by the Governor's Administration from the limitations and set no limit on the number the Haslam administration could bring. The limit also raised concern in the lobbying community from professional lobbyists who were concerned that legislators might have a full slate of bills and be unable to bring legislation that were lobbying for.

After discussions and caucus meetings this week, a modified version of the limit is now being considered that would raise the limit from 10 to 15, place a 75 bill cap on the Governor and allow some additional exemptions. The proposal also now provides a means by which a member could petition the rules committee to authorize the Representative to carry additional bills above the limit. This modified version of the rule is expected to be considered and voted on tomorrow (Thursday) as the General Assembly concludes the organizational session of the 108th General Assembly. Also expected tomorrow will be the announcement of   committee officers and members for this session of the legislature.