Term limits could affect filing of legislation

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- It's an annual ritual mandated by state law that offers a glimpse into the minds of lawmakers before the legislating begins.

Pre-filing legislation happens on the first working day of December, which this year is Monday.

While many of the bills filed never find their way to the chamber floors for debate, those that do often look significantly different. Of the 1,900 bills filed by the legislature last year, 216 were passed by lawmakers.

And this year, legislative administrators face a new task.

Legislative term limits means that of 197 lawmakers, 102 will be new members when work begins on Jan. 8. The House will have 90 new members, the Senate 12. State law allows both current lawmakers and those recently elected to file legislation.

"There may be fewer bills because members don't tend to file as many bills as when they first get here," said Ted Wedel, chief clerk of the House. "We've never had 90 new members, so it makes it difficult to predict what will happen."

Pre-filed legislation still must be formally introduced on Jan. 8. Then the Republican leadership in the House and Senate assign bills to committee where testimony is heard and bills are often fine-tuned or combined with other legislation.

Bills that survive the committee process are sent to the chambers where they originated and wait to be debated.

Submitting legislation early gives eager lawmakers a head start over colleagues but also gives legislators who opposes a specific measure more time to plan strategy.

In the Senate, administrative officials have been fortunate because nine of the newcomers are coming from the House.