As the year draws to a close, state legislatures across the country are gearing up for their upcoming sessions in 2025. A critical aspect of this preparation is state legislative prefiling, a process which allows lawmakers to introduce legislation before the official start of their respective legislative sessions.
Tracking prefiled bills is essential for advocacy groups, businesses, and individuals aiming to influence policy decisions effectively.
What is State Legislative Prefiling?
State legislative prefiling allows lawmakers to submit bills ahead of the start of the legislative session. This process is designed to facilitate early consideration of proposals, enabling a more organized and efficient legislative process.
Prefiling also provides the public, businesses, and interest groups with an opportunity to review proposed legislation before sessions begin, allowing time to engage and respond proactively.
Why is Tracking Prefiled Bills Important?
Monitoring state legislative prefiling ensures you stay ahead of the curve in legislative advocacy. Here are the top reasons to prioritize prefiled bill tracking:
- Early Policy Influence
- Tracking prefiled bills allows stakeholders to engage with legislators before momentum builds, maximizing your ability to shape legislation.
- Strategic Advocacy Planning
- With early knowledge of legislative priorities, advocacy groups can craft focused strategies aligned with their objectives.
- Efficient Resource Allocation
- By identifying significant prefiled bills, organizations can allocate resources to initiatives most likely to impact their goals.
Key State Legislative Prefiling Dates
Prefiling dates vary by state, with some states allowing prefiling several months in advance, while others have shorter windows. Below is a table outlining the prefiling dates for all 50 states, where applicable:
| State | Prefiling Begins |
|---|---|
| Alabama | May 21, 2024 |
| Alaska | January 10, 2025 |
| Arizona | December 15, 2024 |
| Arkansas | November 15, 2024 |
| California | Not applicable |
| Colorado | December 2, 2024 |
| Connecticut | Not applicable |
| Delaware | December 15, 2024 |
| Florida | Not applicable |
| Georgia | November 15, 2024 |
| Hawaii | January 8, 2025 |
| Idaho | Not applicable |
| Illinois | November 30, 2024 |
| Indiana | November 19, 2024 |
| Iowa | December 1, 2024 |
| Kansas | After election certification |
| Kentucky | Not applicable |
| Louisiana | January 24, 2025 |
| Maine | Not applicable |
| Maryland | November 1, 2024 |
| Massachusetts | Not applicable |
| Michigan | Not applicable |
| Minnesota | Not applicable |
| Mississippi | Not applicable |
| Missouri | December 1, 2024 |
| Montana | September 1, 2024 |
| Nebraska | Not applicable |
| Nevada | July 1, 2024 |
| New Hampshire | September 3, 2024 |
| New Jersey | Not applicable |
| New Mexico | January 2, 2025 |
| New York | November 15, 2024 |
| North Carolina | Not applicable |
| North Dakota | December 2, 2024 |
| Ohio | Not applicable |
| Oklahoma | November 15, 2024 |
| Oregon | December 13, 2024 |
| Pennsylvania | December 15, 2024 |
| Rhode Island | November 15, 2024 |
| South Carolina | December 5, 2024 |
| South Dakota | December 15, 2024 |
| Tennessee | November 6, 2024 |
| Texas | November 11, 2024 |
| Utah | May 1, 2024 |
| Vermont | December 15, 2024 |
| Virginia | July 15, 2024 |
| Washington | December 1, 2024 |
| West Virginia | December 9, 2024 |
| Wisconsin | Not applicable |
| Wyoming | November 6, 2024 |
From The Experts
Expert insights from the authors at Duane Morris Government Strategies.
Ryan Stevens
Engaging with state legislative prefiling is a proactive way to ensure your voice is heard during the legislative process. By tracking prefiled bills early, you can influence policy development, plan your advocacy efforts strategically, and allocate resources effectively.
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