Idaho Senate Unanimously Calls for Limiting Number of Bills

Proposed rule would cap legislators' draft bill requests at 25 per year

Mar. 19, 2026 at 6:08am

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The Idaho Senate unanimously voted to approve a new rule that would limit the number of draft bills legislators can request each year to 25, down from the recent sharp increase in legislation introduced. The proposed rule, which still needs approval from the Idaho House, aims to keep the legislature efficient and focused.

Why it matters

The rapid rise in the number of bills introduced in the Idaho Legislature in recent years has raised concerns that the volume of legislation is becoming incompatible with the state's part-time, citizen-driven legislature model. The proposed limits are intended to reduce stress on legislative staff and help maintain the legislature's efficiency and focus.

The details

Senate Concurrent Resolution 114 seeks to create a new Joint Rule 24 that would limit each Idaho legislator to requesting a maximum of 25 draft bills and 10 completed routing slips (RSs) per fiscal year. The rule includes exceptions for budget bills and if legislative leaders wish to make an exception. Data shows the number of bills prepared in the first 9 weeks of the 2026 session (893) has already exceeded the 857 from the same period in 2025, which was the highest in at least 30 years.

  • The Idaho Senate unanimously approved the proposed rule on Wednesday, March 18, 2026.
  • The 2026 legislative session is currently underway, with 893 pieces of legislation prepared in the first 9 weeks.

The players

Sen. Jim Guthrie

The Republican senator from McCammon who sponsored the proposed rule limiting the number of draft bills legislators can request.

Idaho Legislature

The state's part-time, citizen-driven legislature that has seen a sharp increase in the number of bills introduced in recent years.

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What they’re saying

“I think sometimes the volume of legislation gets to a point that is not necessarily compatible with that directive, that expectation.”

— Sen. Jim Guthrie

What’s next

The proposed new rule limiting the number of draft bills legislators can request now heads to the Idaho House of Representatives for consideration. It requires a two-thirds supermajority vote in each chamber to be adopted as a new joint rule.

The takeaway

This move by the Idaho Senate reflects growing concerns about the legislature's ability to effectively manage the rapid increase in the volume of bills introduced in recent years. The proposed limits aim to help the part-time, citizen-driven legislature maintain its efficiency and focus.