Jan 05, 2007 - 04:03:57 CST
When incoming Rep. Lisa Wolf, D-Minot, was elected last fall, there was one thing she wanted to do right away: sponsor a bill to reinstate North Dakota's mentorship program for teachers.Wolf, a high school business and computer teacher, said the program that paired her with an older, more experienced teacher was extremely helpful in guiding her through those first few years in the classroom.
But Wolf's proposal won't be found on the list of pre-filed bills for the 2007 session.
"I was a little leery of the whole process and unfamiliar with how it goes," she said. "I wanted to wait (until session) and get it right."
Wolf's experience, multiplied many times over with a large class of freshman legislators, led to the fewest pre-filed bills since 1981.
There were 276 pre-filed bills this session, versus an average of 436 throughout the previous 13 sessions. The greatest number, in 1987, was 543.
A bill is considered to be pre-filed if it's submitted, processed and printed before the beginning of the legislative session. Legislative leaders typically encourage the practice of pre-filing because it gives committees something to work on in the opening weeks of the session.
House Majority Leader Rick Berg, R-Fargo, said it's too early to tell whether the low bill count will leave committees with little to do this year.
"The first week is typically slow," he said. "We'll know more later."
The record low occurs as 25 new lawmakers begin their duties, learning their way around the Capitol and the legislative process.
"I would say the change relates a lot to the new legislators," said Sen. Tim Mathern, D-Fargo, a 20-year veteran of the Legislature.
Mathern pre-filed two bills, including a much-discussed measure to increase the state's minimum wage.
But many newer lawmakers like to wait.
"There's a reluctance on the part of many legislators to pre-file bills because they like to be able to talk to people and set up co-sponsors," said John Olsrud, director of the North Dakota Legislative Council, a nonpartisan entity that drafts, files and tracks bills.
The deadline for House members to introduce bills is Jan. 15. Senators have until Jan. 22.
Olsrud said a dearth of bills filed by state agencies and interim committees also contributed to the low number of pre-filings. This happened in part because more agencies condensed their priorities into fewer bills, he said.
As for Wolf, she spent part of her day Thursday working with a member of Legislative Council to smooth out the wrinkles of her teacher mentorship bill.
She intends to file it next week.
(Reach reporter Jonathan Rivoli at 223-8482 or jonathan.rivoli@;bismarcktribune.com.)
Comments are reviewed for taste, tone and language before posting.
Some comments may be used in the Tribune's print edition.
We value and respect your privacy, but The Bismarck Tribune might
disclose certain information to governmental entities if served with subpoena.