Sponsorship and Enactment

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Abstract
Patterns of legislation are examined over a 24-year period and legislative outcomes are traced through the policy process of four states: Florida, Iowa, Michigan, and New Jersey. The findings indicate that legislators are drawn in large numbers to sponsor age-related bills. Legislative committees do most of the work in reducing these proposals to the eventual 10% to 27% that will pass. Floor action overturns an average of 3 % of all sponsored bills and governors veto over 4%. Gubernatorial vetoes are especially high when committees report out unusually high percentages of bills and resolutions. There is only slight evidence of state legislators who, as specialists, have a sustained interest in sponsoring and passing age-related legislation.