Danny Becker
Senator Andrew Bell (OU) brought a bill this session that would limit the number of bills a delegate could bring to session. Yes, it’s exactly as meta as it sounds.
In his original piece of legislation, Sen. Bell restricted the number of bills the Secretary of State could accept from a single delegate to the first eight a delegate submitted, excluding internal legislation. When Int. OU-001 hit the floor of the Senate, the limit on the number of bills that the Secretary of State could accept was expanded to ten, and Sen. Bell’s bill was passed by a vote of 28-4.
“If this bill was passed, it would make my job, the Secretary of State’s job, and the floor leader of the House’s job significantly easier, all without any detriment to the experience of delegates at session,” said Sen. Bell, who brought four bills this session.
While it passed the Senate with ease, the bill still must make its way through the House of Representatives, where it is likely to face strong opposition, particularly from Representative Brandon Swearengin (OU). Rep. Swearengin brought 26 bills this session, which is more than twice the proposed limited of Sen. Bell’s bill.
“I’m as thrilled about it as I was about getting thrown out of Senate Chambers today, which I would totally do again,” said Rep. Swearengin. He believes that limiting the number of bills each delegate can bring will limit the overall quality of the legislation presented at session.
It is likely that Rep. Swearengin supplied Sen. Bell with the motivation to write this bill, as Sen. Bell serves as the OU delegation’s Director of Legislation, and it is his responsibility to review and submit all of the delegation’s bills, including all 26 written by Rep. Swearengin.
The bill has yet to hit the floor of the House of Representatives, but when it does, you can bet Rep. Swearengin will be a very vocal opponent, promising Sen. Bell that he won’t let it pass.
This story is ongoing. Stay tuned, as more is to come on what is being called the “Showdown of the Session.”