The Tennessee State Capitol in downtown Nashville.NASHVILLE – House Speaker Beth Harwell says she wants to improve the chamber’s operations by limiting the number of bills introduced and restructuring several committees.
The Nashville Republican’s multipoint proposal would also end the common practice of lawmakers casting votes for colleagues who are not in their seats and sometimes not in the Capitol at all.
She also hopes to curb a quickly growing practice in which lawmakers make sometimes lengthy floor presentations honoring individuals. Members would be limited to two such speeches per session.
Harwell told reporters the proposed changes, which would have to be approved by the Rules Committee, are intended to make operations more efficient and save money.
Limiting lawmakers to introducing no more than 10 bills should “help members prioritize what’s most important to them,” Harwell said.