The Senate Rules Committee approved two bills Wednesday to reduce the time lawmakes are in Raleigh.

Senator David Hoyle's bill calls for an early organizational meeting for two days followed by a recess in January.

"We've been here for three weeks and I've been to two committee meetings; commerce and rules, really it's three weeks where we've been twidling our thumbs," said the Democrat from Gaston County.

His bill would give the leadership time to assign committees, even begin filing bills, then lawmakers could go right to work.

The other bill by Senate Majority Leader Tony Rand would cap the number of days lawmakers receive their "per diem", a $104 daily expense check.

The money stops after 135 days during long session or odd-numbered years and 60 days for the short session in even-numbered years.

"It saves taxpayers money because we don't get $104 a day after 135 days and that's the way it should be," said Senator Hoyle.

Senators Ellie Kinnaird and Martin Nesbitt opposed the language in the bill and said it was written as though lawmakers were sticking around to make money when in reality the daily expense check does not cover much for lawmakers traveling from the mountains or the coast.

To hear both sides of the story, check out the video clip above from NBC 17 News.