Legislative Pre-filing: Why It Matters for Your Business
If life is like a box of chocolates, then a legislative session is like a buffet with 50 chefs—every dish is different, half the orders are wrong, and no one agrees who they’re supposed to be serving
Each state has its own process for convening lawmakers and moving bills forward, which can make tracking legislation feel overwhelming. But understanding one aspect of the process can give you and your business a leg up: pre-filing.
What is Pre-filing?
Pre-filing is the process of introducing bills before legislative session officially begins. It allows lawmakers to get organized, build momentum, and position certain bills for faster consideration once the session convenes.
For businesses, monitoring pre-filed bills provides an early look at lawmakers’ priorities—helping you anticipate challenges, spot opportunities, and craft a smart outreach strategy.
Which States Pre-file?
Remember when I mentioned each state has their own flavor? — Pre-filing is no exception. Just like each state’s legislative process, pre-filing rules vary widely:
Pre-filing is not allowed in 11 states: (California, Connecticut, Georgia, Kentucky, Idaho, North Carolina, Michigan, Massachusetts, Nebraska, Ohio, and Wisconsin) plus the District of Columbia.
Oregon and Pennsylvania only pre-file in odd years.
Montana, Nevada, North Dakota, and Texas only pre-file in even years.
South Carolina, New Mexico, and Delaware have no set schedule and are flexible with pre-filing dates.
And note that Biennial legislatures (two-year sessions) typically pre-file earlier than annual legislatures.
Simplifying Pre-filing Timelines: A Monthly Breakdown
September: Alabama, Alaska, Florida (House only), Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri (Senate only), Oklahoma, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Wyoming, New Hampshire
November: Maryland, Arizona, Arkansas, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, Virginia, Indiana, Illinois
December: Colorado, Missouri (House only), Washington, West Virginia, South Dakota
January: Hawaii
Why It Matters
Staying ahead of these timelines ensures you know what issues lawmakers will prioritize long before bills start moving. By aligning your business priorities with legislative goals, you can position yourself to influence outcomes instead of reacting to them.
Ready to Get Ahead?
Tracking pre-filing across dozens of states is complex, but it’s also where competitive advantage is built. If you want to align your 2026 priorities with lawmakers’ agendas—and not miss key opportunities—we’d love to help.
