Idaho Legislature passing lesser percentage of bills

If a legislative bill is passed, it enacts or changes an existing law or appropriates money.

Last year, despite being the longest legislative session on record, the Legislature passed a lesser percentage of bills compared to each session since 2012.

Just 51% of House bills and about 63% of Senate bills became law in 2021.

The Idaho Statesman reports lawmakers have blamed a lack of support from committee chairs who set the agendas and control whether bills are heard.

With recess days and time spent on drafted bills, state legislators passed just about one bill per regular session day last year.

In the past decade, the average rate was four bills a day.