Every regular legislative session, legislatures across the country adopt new operational policies. Some do so via legislation; others via rules or other administrative policy.
Here are some of the top legislative institution policies legislatures are likely to consider in 2025.
NCSL Forecast ’25
This special report from State Legislatures News covers the topics NCSL’s policy experts anticipate will occupy state lawmakers’ time in 2025 legislative sessions. Read the full report here.
Hot Topic: Legislative Use of Generative AI
Applications that use generative AI continue to gain attention as they become more accessible to the public and as governments begin to debate how they should be regulated. Some of the more commonly used tools, such as ChatGPT and Google Gemini, can process and analyze large amounts of data to generate responses to user inquiries. Legislative staff have begun using these tools for a variety of purposes, including for research, creating first drafts of documents and editing text.
Some staff are also using generative AI tools for transcribing hearings and debate, bill drafting, cybersecurity and constituent relations. Meanwhile, common programs such as the Microsoft suite and legal tools such as LexisNexis that many legislatures already use are gaining generative AI functionality.
These tools can be helpful for a variety of tasks, but they come with challenges. Sensitive information can become public if precautions are not taken, and content created using generative AI can be inaccurate or contain copyrighted material. These risks have prompted legislatures to create policies for their staffs.
Policies vary by state and mostly apply to individual offices rather than whole legislatures. Some policies prohibit any use of generative AI tools for legislative work; others are more lenient and implore staff to exercise caution. Still others require permission from a manager or allow use of only approved applications.
ACTION: For more information about how state legislatures are approaching use of these tools, see the results of a recent NCSL survey.
Hot Topic: Legislator Compensation
Legislator compensation and the methods used to set it will continue to be considerations for legislatures heading into session next year. At least 14 states increased legislators’ annual base salaries by amounts ranging from $1,000 to $33,600 in 2024. South Dakota lawmakers, whose salaries are calculated as one-fifth of the state’s median household income, experienced a pay cut of about $1,300.
The new year will bring implementation of several 2024 compensation decisions. Maine lawmakers, who receive different amounts in their first and second legislative sessions, will see a roughly $8,000 increase in both session years (ME HB 727). Kansas legislators’ new annual salary of $43,000 will go into effect on the first day of the 2025 session.
Colorado’s new per diem rates (HB 1059) begin in July 2025. The current rate for lawmakers living within 50 miles of Denver is $45 per legislative day; the rate for those living outside metro Denver is $240. In July, those rates will change to 25% and 90%, respectively, of the federal per diem rate for the city and county of Denver. The bill also creates an independent elected official pay commission that begins meeting in 2025. State officials’ compensation is currently set as a percentage of judicial officials’ salaries. The new nine-member commission will set compensation rates every four years.
As these changes go into effect, state houses will continue examining legislator compensation and the impact it has on members and citizens alike.
NCSL Resource: Legislator Compensation Resources
Hot Topic: Chamber and Joint Rules
The 2024 elections will bring many new faces to legislatures throughout the states, commonwealths, territories and in Washington, D.C. These new members will encounter a steep learning curve mastering their new jobs, including learning their chamber rules and practices. Although changes to rules and procedures do not require legislation, NCSL is often consulted on issues such as bill introduction limits, debate limits and committee structure when legislatures convene after even-year elections.
Heading into the 2025 session, NCSL expects that legislators will inquire about parliamentary rules to gain clarity on floor procedures. Additionally, in chambers where the majority party switches, there may be procedural changes as well. No matter who is in the majority, the adage holds true: “Rules ensure the majority gets its way and the minority gets its say.”
Trending: Legislative Staff Recruitment
The ongoing retirement of baby boomers, coupled with turnover among other staff, means legislatures at times are challenged to fill open positions.
Legislative HR and staff directors offered their best recruitment strategies in an NCSL survey:
- Employee referral programs: Tap into your employees’ personal and professional networks by offering incentives such as bonuses, additional time off or other rewards to motivate employees to refer qualified job candidates.
- Higher education partnerships: Build partnerships with local undergraduate, graduate and law schools to promote internships and full-time employment opportunities for legislative staff offices.
- Enhanced benefits: Make sure job postings include benefits that start on the first day of employment. Benefits are attractive to candidates new to the workforce or who are moving to the legislature from positions outside state government.
- Flexible work schedules: Offer flexible work schedules for full-time and part-time staff positions.
- Compensatory time: Provide comp time to acknowledge that employees’ dedication to the institution is valued.
- Professional development: Offer development and training programs to help employees learn new skills that can enhance their job performance and further their career growth, leading to higher job satisfaction.
NCSL Resource: 6 Strategies for Recruiting Top Talent to State Legislatures