ST. LOUIS • Following roll call and a prayer, weekly meetings of the St. Louis Board of Aldermen begin with aldermen stepping up to the nearest microphone to introduce their guests.

Sometimes, it's their friends, family or constituents sitting on the floor of the aldermanic chambers at City Hall. But often it's to recognize lobbyists, attorneys or representatives of business groups, local organizations or unions who may have a stake in the legislation up for debate.

Some aldermen feel it's time for that practice to end.

A bill introduced Friday at the Board of Aldermen would limit who has a front row seat to the legislative process. Backers note that members of the public who come to watch the proceedings are relegated to a gallery above the chambers.

"I think it's really important for the public to see that when we come in here to do the job that we are elected to do, that we are standing here on our own behalf," said sponsoring 28th Ward Alderman Heather Navarro, who calls the proposed change "ethics 101."