AUGUSTA

Maine legislative leaders set the stage for the 2014 session on Wednesday with their approval of bills for consideration when lawmakers return in January, including a new proposal to expand Medicaid coverage under the federal health care overhaul.

The Legislative Council, the 10-member bipartisan group of House and Senate floor leaders and presiding officers, gave its stamp of approval to about 100 of nearly 400 bills submitted by lawmakers. The measures remain hazy because details and language aren’t finalized, but they provide some insight into what’s in store for next session.

A proposal to expand health coverage to about 70,000 Maine residents under the Affordable Care Act — a plan that has already been vetoed by Republican Gov. Paul LePage — is back on the table and certain to ignite another political battle in the state House.

Democrats say the fiscal impact of not expanding the program makes it critical that the bill goes into law this time around.

“We as a legislature need to catch up to the rest of our New England states and to the rest of the states that have accepted Medicaid so that we can improve the lives of Maine people and we can improve our economy,” said Senate President Justin Alfond of Portland.

New proposals for next session are supposed to be limited to “emergency” or time-sensitive issues, but that is broadly interpreted and often a point of contention. The measures approved Wednesday don’t include about 200 bills carried over from last session and those yet to be introduced by the LePage administration.

Another bill ready for consideration includes replacing the current program that provides rides to medical appointments for Medicaid patients, a program that has recently received a slew of complaints of missed and delayed rides. Others, like a measure to restore a property tax credit program for middle-and low-income families, aim to undo changes in this year’s budget.

Republicans bashed Democratic leaders Wednesday for rejecting measures they thought were worthy of consideration, like a bill allowing courts to vacate prostitution convictions for victims of human trafficking.

Other rejected measures sought to repeal laws passed last year, like one that bans bows and arrows from being discharged within 100 yards of a building or residential dwelling without the owner’s permission.

Lawmakers will have a chance to appeal the decision next month and can have the governor’s office introduce a bill for them, which doesn’t require the council’s approval.

House Republican Leader Ken Fredette of Newport, whose bill requiring some welfare recipients to prove they’ve applied to at least three jobs before getting benefits was rejected on Wednesday, said he’s considering both those options. He said Democrats’ continued push to expand Medicaid coverage while refusing to consider any sort of welfare reform shows the fundamental difference between the two parties in Augusta.

“Clearly the Democrats are focused on expanding the size of government … expanding Medicaid coverage to more people, said the Republican from Newport. “ Republicans are more focused on limiting the size of government and … rein in government spending and provide for a limited welfare system.”