copyright 2003 by laura remson mitchell legislative advocacy using the system to improve life for...

Copyright 2003 by Laura Remson Mitchell

Legislative Advocacy

Using the System to Improve Life for People with Disabilities

October 2003 A Power Point show by Laura Remson Mitchell

Three Myths About Legislative Advocacy

You need a lobbyist to do legislative advocacy.

You can’t lobby effectively if you’re not in Sacramento.

One person can’t make a difference.


Myth 1: You need a lobbyist.

The facts: Professional lobbyist is very valuable, but not

absolutely necessary. Partner with groups that have lobbyists. Technology gives us a powerful lobbying tool

we can use for ourselves.


Myth 2: You can’t lobby effectively if you’re not in Sacramento.

The facts: Some things require a presence in the

Capitol, but you can be effective even if you’re not in Sacramento.

Internet allows anyone to identify and track legislation — and to respond!

Technology makes it easier for advocates to organize and stay connected.


Myth 3: One person can’t make a difference.

The facts: Everyone has something to offer.

• Some identify and track key legislation.• Some organize grass-roots advocacy.• Some spread the word and respond to

action alerts. Together, we have made — and will make—

a difference!


State Assembly (80 members) State Senate (40 members) Two-year legislative sessions

• Odd-numbered year is first year of session.Important note: Bill numbering starts over at the beginning

of each session. So bills with the same number in different sessions may be by different authors and on completely different subjects.

• Bills must meet certain legislative deadlines to move forward.

Snapshot : The California Legislature


Key Legislative Terms (Understanding California Bill Names)

AB: Assembly Bill SB: Senate Bill ACA: Assembly Constitutional Amendment SCA: Senate Constitutional Amendment

Chaptered bill: Bill that has been approved by Legislature, signed by Governor, then assigned a “chapter” number in California’s statutes for that year.


Idea to Bill to Law

Where in this Process Can We Affect Policy? (indicated by )

How Can We Affect Policy?


The First Steps

Idea () Drafting Introduction

• Bill receives number.• Bill referred to “policy committee.” • May be referred to fiscal committee.


Action in House of Origin

Committee action ()• (can pass, amend, kill, etc.)

“Second reading” (read on Floor for later debate)

Floor debate and vote (“third reading” of bill) ()


Action in Second House

Bill read first time, referred to committee Committee action. () If passed by committee, bill is given

“second reading” on Floor of second house and scheduled for later debate and vote.

“Third reading” and vote in second house. ()


Resolving differences

If Assembly and Senate pass different versions of bill, differences must be reconciled. This can be done by

Concurrence ()• One house agrees to other house’s version.

Conference committee ()• Both houses must approve any compromise bill.

()

If approved by Legislature, bill goes to Governor.


Governor acts (within 12 days of receiving bill). ()• Signs bill or • Allows it to become law without signature

– Bill is “chaptered.”

• Vetoes bill– Bill returns to Legislature for possible override.

(Requires two-thirds vote in each house.) ()

Action by Governor


How Can We Affect Public Policy?

Propose a bill (idea stage). Seek amendment to a bill. Advocate for or against a bill. Follow up after enactment of a bill to

assure that appropriate regulations are in place.


Doing Legislative Advocacy

What you need to know• Know your political address! Know who your elected representatives are, and

keep that information up to date. Call your local elections office. For California Assembly and State Senate representatives, check online at http://www.assembly.ca.gov./clerk/MEMBERINFORMATION/MEMBERINFO.HTM


Whom Should I Lobby?

Be sure you lobby at the level of government that has authority to deal with your issue. If you’re not sure, call one of your representatives and ask.


Finding Out About Legislation

Check on-line bill information resources like California Legislative Information and Thomas web sites. (See later slide for URLs.)

Network with other disability groups. Subscribe to e-mail lists for various

disability groups or individuals you trust.


Why Should I “Track” Legislation?

If you’ve proposed an amendment, you’ll want to know when, if it has been put into the bill language.

Some amendments may make you want to change your position on a bill.

Occasionally, a bill may be “hijacked” to deal with a completely different subject, sometimes with a different author!


Advocacy Tips

Advocacy tools• Coalition building• Legislative visits• Letter-writing campaigns (including fax and e-

mail). Avoid form letters — or at least what looks like a form letter.

• Telephone campaigns• Letters to the editor• Calls to talk shows


Advocacy Tips

Tactics should be appropriate for issue, context• Calm, respectful, and informed approach is

best in some situations. • In-your-face advocacy may be best in

others. – Don’t over-use demonstrations. If too many,

they will be ignored and/or attention will be on demonstration and not on your issues.


Advocacy Tips

• Sometimes we need to use both approaches.

– We need to respect one another and appreciate the important role that both types of advocacy play.

• Don’t burn bridges. – Someone who is an adversary on one issue

may be an ally on another.


Making Legislative Visits

Capitol vs. district office• Policy experts usually are in Capitol office.• Visits or regular phone contact with district

offices still can be useful in establishing ongoing relationship.

• Friendly staff may be helpful in arranging meetings with elected official.



Staff vs. elected official• Sometimes meeting with staff can be more

productive.• You’ll get more time for visit with staffers.• Staffer may be better informed on your

issue (if meeting with policy person).• Not uncommon for staffers to later run for

office themselves.



Visit in groups of three when possible.• Size of group shows your issue affects more than

just one person, but group isn’t big enough to seem threatening or hostile to legislator.

• Each member of interview “team” can provide supplemental information during meeting when appropriate and may offer different perspective on meeting for further planning.



At meeting• Be prepared!• Keep message focused, brief and clear.• Try to put human face on your issue.• Offer to help member in working on issue.

After meeting• Follow up with any requested information.• Send thank you note.


Using Internet for Advocacy

Identify and track legislation and regulations.

Share information and plan strategy with other advocates via e-mail and web sites.

Contact legislators and regulators via e-mail or their web sites or get contact information for letters, office visits, etc.


Key Web Sites for Advocates

Official California legislative information — http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/• Links to important information about legislation

and legislative process.• Search for California bills at

http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/bilinfo.html.• “Subscribe” to bills you want to track.

Thomas (federal bill search) — http://thomas.loc.gov/


Basic Action Plan

Connect (electronically and with other people)

Communicate (with other advocates, with prospective allies, with policy makers, etc.)

Advocate!

copyright 2003 by laura remson mitchell legislative advocacy using the system to improve life for...

Documents

house u bill

u technology

u partner

u network

u internet

u advocate

vetoes bill bill

senate bill u aca