Engaging in the Legislative Process. ISAC Legislative Team

Transcription

1 Engaging in the Legislative Process ISAC Legislative Team

2 I m Just a Bill Idea Government agencies, Non-profits (i.e., ISAC) Interest groups You 2

3 Legislative Request Form The Legislative Policy Request Form is to be filled out by affiliates or individual members of ISAC. The form is the official avenue through which proposals are brought to the full ISAC Legislative Policy Committee to be considered as priorities during the 2017 legislative session. Found on the ISAC website under Legislative Policy Committee Fill out completely Forward to affiliate legislative committee And ISAC

4 Legislative Policy Committee (LPC) Chaired by ISAC Second Vice President o Lonny Pulkrabek, Johnson County Sheriff 32 members (two from each affiliate) Develop legislative objectives for ISAC s policy team to pursue for the upcoming session Meet in August and September to develop legislative platform

5 Legislative Policy Committee (LPC) Assessors: Dale McCrea & Deb McWhirter Auditors: Ken Kline & Dennis Parrott Community Services: Lori Elam & Shane Walter Conservation: Dan Cohen & Matt Cosgrove County Attorneys: Darin Raymond & Matt Wilbur Emergency Mangement: Thomas Craighton & Dave Wilson Engineers: Lyle Brehm & Dan Eckert Environmental Health: Eric Bradley & Brian Hanft Information Technology: Micah Cutler & Jeff Rodda Public Health: Doug Beardsley & Lynelle Diers Recorders: Megan Clyman & Kris Colby Sheriffs & Deputies: Jay Langenbau & Jared Schneider Supervisors: Carl Mattes & Burlin Matthews Treasurers: Terri Kness & Tracey Marshall Veterans Affairs: Gary Boseneiler & Chris Oliver Zoning: Joe Buffington & Josh Busard

6 ISAC Legislative Process LPC develops policy statements and legislative objectives Policy Statements express long-term or continuing statements of principle important for local control, local government authority, and efficient county operation. These statements are designed to guide the Association in responding to public policy issues affecting county government. Legislative Objectives provide specific problems and solutions for legislators to address. The ISAC policy team actively pursues bills for each legislative objective. Top Priorities are presented during meetings with legislative leadership prior to the session.

7 ISAC Legislative Process ISAC Board reviews proposals for approval at October board meeting; sets top priorities Membership votes on platform at Fall School Legislative Book Published Legislators contacted Meetings with Leadership/Governor

8 I m Just a Bill Legislator sponsors the bill Bill drafted, assigned SSB (Senate Study Bill), HSB (House Study Bill) Subcommittee meeting Assigned HF (House File), SF (Senate File) Standing committee meeting

9 I m Just a Bill Floor debate: first chamber o Bill passes by a constitutional majority (51 Representatives, 26 Senators) to second chamber o Fewer than a constitutional majority bill is defeated 9

10 I m Just a Bill Floor debate: second chamber o Bill passes without amending to Governor o Bill is amended back to originating chamber for approval of amendments o Chambers can t agree conference committee 10

11 Along the Way Amendments Caucusing Funnel o Deadlines for bill requests, bills voted out of committees, amendments filed o After the final funnel date, only certain bills remain alive: Appropriations, Ways and Means, Government Oversight Bills sponsored by leadership Conference committee reports Other 11

12 Governor Action Veto o Veto Entire bill o Item veto Appropriations bills only o Pocket veto Governor s failure to take action within 30 days Signature o In general, the Governor has 30 days from the end of session to sign a bill into law o A bill goes into effect July 1 unless otherwise specified in the bill 12

13 Conference Committee 10 members (5 House, 5 Senate) from both political parties Analyze points of disagreement in an attempt to reach a compromise o If compromise a report that includes the compromise portion of the bill is presented to both chambers o Neither chamber can amend the report o If no compromise second committee appointed o If still no compromise bill fails o If report is adopted, chambers vote again on the bill o Once approved, sent to Governor

14 Iowa General Assembly House 100 Representatives o 59 Republicans (Republican controlled) o 41 Democrats Senate 50 Senators o 29 Republicans (Republican controlled) o 20 Democrats o 1 Independent

15 Iowa General Assembly House Key players o Speaker of the House (Rep. Linda Upmeyer) o House Majority Leader (Rep. Chris Hagenow) o House Minority Leader (Rep. Mark Smith) Senate Key players o President of the Senate (Sen. Jack Whitver) o Senate Majority Leader (Sen. Bill Dix) o Senate Minority Leader (Sen. Rob Hogg)

16 Iowa General Assembly Other Key Players o Caucus staff (partisan) House/Senate Democrat, House/Senate Republican research staff Write bill summaries, assist in responding to constituent concerns, assess political implications of proposed legislation Many have 20+ years experience (more than most legislators)...lots of influence

17 Legislative Services Agency (LSA) Computer Support Legal Services o Bill/amendment drafting Fiscal Services o Fiscal Note o NOBA (Notes On Bills and Amendments)

18 Fiscal Note Outlines the monetary effects of pending legislation Required for all legislation having a fiscal impact of $100,000 in a fiscal year or $500,000 in a five-year period Required, regardless of fiscal impact, if requested by a legislator Can make or break legislation

19 General Assembly Home Page

20 Bill Tracking Tools

21 ISAC Legislative Bill Tracking Tool

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23 Get Involved! It s Your Right o Iowa Constitution Article I. Bill of Rights. Section 20. Right of Assemblage Petition: The people have the right freely to assemble together to counsel for the common good; to make known their opinions to their representatives and to petition for a redress of grievances.

24 Get Involved! 1. Through Your Legislative Liaison 2. Through ISAC s Policy Team 3. Through ISAC s Legislative Policy Committee 4. Contact Legislators Directly

25 Get Involved! Contacting your legislator o County Day at the Capitol March 8, 2017 o Phone calls o (clearly state your subject in the subject line) o Letters o Forums Feedback o ISAC Update ed on Fridays during session o Use the Legislative Comment Form to provide feedback

26 Get Involved! Get to know your legislators o Build credibility o Become a resource of information o Attend meetings and events Know the institutional elements o Majority/minority o Leadership o Legislative process

27 Get Involved! Assess the political climate o What is the mood of session? o What are the salient issues? o How legitimate are your goals? Respect Your Opponents o There are more than simply your interests being presented o Stick to issues and facts o Stay away from he said/she said traps

28 Get Involved! Be on the offensive o Make sure your legislative platform is clearly defined and supported by the county/organization o Make sure appropriate legislators are fully informed o Circulate accurate but brief information o Be sure your organization and supporters are ready to respond to legislators concerns and questions

29 Get Involved! Important Axioms o Honesty is not the best policy...it s the only policy! o Remember, today s opponent may be tomorrow s ally o Be patient, courteous o Legislative staff are important

30 Major Legislative Issues for 2017 Mental Health and Disability Services Natural Resources and Outdoor Recreation Trust Fund Food Safety Water Quality Management Distracted Driving

31 2018 New Legislative Session Timeline June 2017 Call for Proposals July 28, 2017 Deadline for Policy Request Forms August 11, 2017 Legislative Proposals Sent to Membership August 17, 2017 Deadline for Proposed Changes and Additions August 22, 2017 LPC Meeting o Review of proposals and member comment period September 14, 2017 LPC Meeting o Finalize proposals to recommend to membership October 2017 Legislative Webinar and Online Voting Tutorial October/November 2017 Online Voting November 16-17, 2017 ISAC Board Meeting o Accept member vote and set top priorities December 2017 Legislative Webinar o Discuss priorities and give outlook on 2018 legislative session

32 Questions? Jamie Cashman ISAC Government Relations Manager Lucas Beenken ISAC Public Policy Specialist