RACSS Newsletter. Chair s Column

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1 R A C S S RACSS Newsletter Research and Committee Staff Section Fall 2009 Chair s Column By Pepper Sturm Chief Deputy Research Director Legislative Counsel Bureau Nevada It has been a stormy time for many of us in state government for the last year or so; however, the clouds are parting a bit. There is now a growing consensus among economists that the country is emerging from the gloom of the Not-So-Great Recession of Although there are likely some challenges ahead of us, I think we can look for improvements in the economy next year, and RACSS can look ahead with some optimism to a return to something close to normalcy. In the meantime, travel restrictions are still the norm for many state legislative staff agencies, and only a few states are still able to send staff to out of state meetings. One of our more popular offerings has been the fall RACSS professional development seminar. As many of you are aware, we had to make the tough decision to cancel the 2009 seminar, originally scheduled for the Hilton in Portland, Oregon. After a stellar effort from the NCSL staff, we were able to accomplish this without having to pay a cancellation penalty to the hotel. We hope to reschedule in this venue within the next two years. As our past Chair Phil Price has pointed out, with challenges come opportunities. Using grant money from NCSL, several staff sections are developing e-learning opportunities for their members during this period. Although we are still in the planning phase, we hope to offer a webinar for RACSS members later this year. Additional information will follow as we nail down the details. We are also in the planning stages for RACSS-sponsored programs for NCSL s July 2010 Legislative Summit in Louisville, Kentucky. This event always provides many interesting and informative presentations. If you have ideas for program or speakers, please let us know. You can contact me at sturm@lcb.state.nv.us, or Jeanne Mejeur at jeanne.mejeur@ncsl.org. I look forward to the challenges and the opportunities ahead of us. It is an honor and a privilege to serve as your RACSS Chair for this year and I look forward to working with the Vice Chair, Mark Mitchell; the immediate past Chair, Phil Price; and the rest of our talented directors to explore some of our innovative e-learning alternatives to make this an interesting and productive time. Newsletter Highlights - Fall 2009 Meet Your Executive Committee Staff Achievement Award Honorees Mark Goes to the LSCC LSCC Subcommittees & Working Groups One Gun a Month in New Jersey 911 Lifeline Law Passes Illinois Looks at Ethics RACSS Webinar - November 19, 2009 Legislative Fellows Program National Conference of State Legislatures 7700 East First Place Denver, CO Tel: Web:

2 Meet Your Executive Committee Officers: Chair: Pepper Sturm is the Chief Deputy Research Director of the Research Division of Nevada s Legislative Counsel Bureau has worked for the Nevada Legislature for more than 20 years served two terms as a director on the RACSS Executive Committee and as vice-chair helped plan and has been a frequent panelist for RACSS annual meeting and fall seminar programs received the Legislative Staff Achievement Award in 2001, from the Legislative Education Staff Network Vice-Chair: Mark Mitchell is a committee Staff Administrator for the Legislative Research Commission in Kentucky, serving as the manager of the Local Government Committee has been with the LRC, serving the Kentucky General Assembly, since 1991 just completed two terms as a director on the RACSS Executive Committee attended and helped plan many RACSS seminars and annual meeting programs is a 2004 graduate of the Legislative Staff Management Institute Immediate Past Chair: Phil Price is the Committee Staff Administrator for the Bureau of Legislative Research in Arkansas has worked for the Arkansas General Assembly for 12 years previously worked for the executive branch of state government, including seven years on the Governor s staff formerly served three years as the Director of the Arkansas Employment Security Department served on the RACSS Executive Committee since 2003 and was RACSS Chair for has a B.A. in History and Political Science and a Master of Public Administration Directors: Dave Bohyer is the Director of the Office of Research and Policy Analysis, in the Montana Legislative Services Division has served as Director since 1987, having joined Montana legislative staff in 1981 worked in public service positions in local government has 30 years of experience in the legislative and public policy process Charlotte Carter-Yamauchi has been with the Hawaii Legislative Reference Bureau since 1987 served as Assistant Director for Research since 2003 and recently was named First Assistant Director graduated from Marshall-Wythe Law School at the College of William and Mary in 1978 worked for the National Center for State Courts in Virginia for 6½ years is a member of the Virginia and Hawaii Bars Marti Harkness is Director of the Criminal Justice Unit for OPPAGA has been with the Florida Legislature for 17 years is serving his second term as a director on the RACSS Executive Committee served as Staff Chair of the Law and Criminal Justice Committee also served as the overall Staff Vice-Chair and Staff Chair of the Standing Committees, the highest staff leadership position with NCSL s committees Bryant Howe is the Assistant Director of the Utah Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel has worked for the legislature for more than 25 years served as an officer of several NCSL committees, task forces and working groups served as faculty for the Research Track of the NCSL Skills Development Seminar for seven years received the Legislative Staff Achievement Award in 2003, from RACSS 2 RACSS Newsletter Fall 2009

3 2009 Legislative Staff Achievement Award Honorees Guy Cherry Senior Policy Analyst Office of Policy Analysis Department of Legislative Services Maryland Patrick O Grady Executive Director Legislative Research Unit Illinois General Assembly Guy Cherry has been a dedicated staff member for the Maryland General Assembly for 21 legislative sessions. He is a Senior Policy Specialist in the Office of Policy Analysis, Department of Legislative Services, and is an expert on criminal justice and public safety. Guy has been active in RACSS and NCSL s standing committees for many years. He has been staff chair of the NCSL Standing Committees on Law and Criminal Justice, lending his expertise on criminal justice matters to NCSL, as well as to legislators and staff in other states. In addition, he served for several years as an officer of the overall Steering Committee of the NCSL Standing Committees, including a year as Staff Chair. As Staff Chair of the Standing Committees, he was also an exofficio member of the NCSL Executive Committee. Guy s career has been marked by dedication, commitment, and integrity. He has been praised by managers, colleagues, and legislators for his spirit of cooperation, knowledge of his issues and willingness to share his expertise with others. It is with pride and pleasure we honor Guy Cherry with the 2009 Legislative Staff Achievement Award. Patrick O Grady has served the Illinois General Assembly with distinction for more than 25 years. The unit he directs is the central nonpartisan general research agency for the General Assembly. It produces more than 500 research reports a year, along with reference publications such as the Tax Handbook, Constituent Services Directory, annotated Illinois Constitution and many others. Pat has been a mainstay of the Research and Committee Staff Section for many years. He served several terms on the RACSS Executive Committee and as RACSS Chair for Pat has planned numerous seminars and programs for RACSS members, served as faculty and host for meetings, and served on committees and advisory groups. His advice, counsel and energy have been invaluable in creating professional development opportunities for legislative research and committee staff. Pat displays a noteworthy, commendable commitment to the mission and purpose of all legislative staff, facilitating the legislative process, and promoting and strengthening legislative staff s capacity to fulfill their professional responsibilities. With enthusiasm, admiration and affection, we honor Pat O Grady with the 2009 Legislative Staff Achievement Award. Executive Committee, continued Sabrina Lewellen is the Constituency Services and Research and Special Projects Manager for the Arkansas Senate has regularly attended NCSL annual meetings and RACSS Seminars, since 2005, and has been an active and involved member served on the RACSS Advisory Council, providing input on professional development opportunities for RACSS members was a member of the 2009 class of participants in the Legislative Staff Management Institute Walker Reagan was recently named as Director of the Research Division of the North Carolina General Assembly has worked for the legislature for 16 years as a staff attorney has been active in both RACSS and the Legal Services Staff Section serves on NCSL s Standing Committee on Communications, Financial Services and Interstate Commerce and the Standing Committee on Labor and Economic Development is an alumni of NCSL s Legislative Staff Management Institute, class of 2003 RACSS Newsletter Fall

4 What I Did On My Fall Trip - Mark Goes to the LSCC By Mark Mitchell, RACSS Vice-Chair Committee Administrator, Local Government Committee, Legislative Research Commission, Kentucky For a little background, the chairs and vice-chairs of each of the ten NCSL staff sections serve on the Legislative Staff Coordinating Committee. We participate in four quarterly meetings with the NCSL Executive Committee to help provide guidance for the Conference. We re all assigned by the current NCSL Staff Chair to serve on subcommittees and task forces. This year s NCSL Staff Chair is Nancy Cyr of Nebraska and she s created five subcommittees: Legislative Institutions Professional Development and Outreach Technology and E-Learning Strategic Planning Work Group Staff Section Officers I ve been assigned to the Professional Development and Outreach Subcommittee and our RACSS Chair, Pepper Sturm, is serving on the Technology and E-Learning Subcommittee. We re both assigned to the Staff Section Officers Subcommittee. For more information about the Subcommittees and their work, check out the article on the next page. Fall Seminars: Richmond was a very productive meeting. It sounds like all the professional development groups, with their slightly revised attendance goals, met their quotas. Not everybody is holding a meeting this year, so RACSS wasn t the only group not to meet in 2009 only seven did, in four meetings, with some sections meeting jointly. But the ones who met were pleased with their attendance. ASLCS: 223 attendees in Seattle; 2010 will meet in Milwaukee; LSS: Good meeting where they slimmed down on the evening activities, 2010 will meet in Raleigh, NC; LINCS: Good 4 day meeting, will meet in conjunctions with LSS in Raleigh in 2010 with LSS; NALIT: They met jointly with LSS and LINCS. They used a strategy of using public meeting spaces to save money (this is something we might think about, too). In fact, one whole day of our fall LSCC conference was held in the Richmond Capitol; for my money, it was more interesting than meeting in a hotel conference hall (except that the meeting rooms in the Jefferson Hotel where we stayed were spectacular). NALIT also conducted some e-learning and has gotten positive feedback from it; NLSSA: Had 65 participants and will meet in 2010 in Baton Rouge with NLPES; LRL: Met in Minnesota. They have 14 participants and have eschewed using hotel meeting rooms. Of course their size allows them more flexibility, but this is a way to save money that can be used in perhaps more direct ways to provide professional development. Professional Development and Outreach Committee: I m on this committee. I will be working with Marti Harkness helping to update the NCSL and You brochure. We have run through the production run of this brochure, and because it cost $5k to produce and print, we will not be printing it again. However, NCSL staff has placed it on the homepage. Our group will be reviewing and making suggestions on how to make it more webfriendly there are a lot of words on it now, and we ll be working to lower the word density and improve navigation on it, as well as general appearance and informational updates. I ll also be working on the first time attendees orientation session for the 2010 Legislative Summit in Louisville, with Gary Schaefer. We didn t meet on that immediately, but will be teleconferencing at some point. Joint Meeting Offer James Barber of Mississippi, Chair of NLPES, has tendered an offer for RACSS and any other staff sections to meet with them in Baton Rouge, LA in The RACSS Executive Committee talked about it and was leaning against it but it could be reopened for discussion NCSL Legislative Summit The 2011 annual meeting was supposed to be in Los Angeles but with all the challenges California is facing, they would not likely be able to host the meeting. California bowed out willingly. In its place, San Antonio, who was on deck for 2013, has stepped up and we ll be going there in NCSL will put out a bid for a host city for State of NCSL NCSL Executive Director Bill Pound indicated that NCSL finished the year slightly in the black. Other budget actions: This year s budget is downsized by 15%. Professional development committees are meeting revised attendance goals. The 2010 Legislative Summit in Louisville will be reduced by a day, making it a four-day conference, starting on Sunday and running through Wednesday. The NCSL Executive Committee will only meet two times this year, rather than three. One of the LSCC meetings next year will be held in Denver.

5 2009 LSCC Subcommittees & Workgroups Legislative Institutions Subcommittee Goals: Promote legislative service as a career. Compile, disseminate, and serve as a repository for information regarding policy, personnel, and management issues common to all legislative staff. Duties and Responsibilities: Develop campaign promoting legislative service as a career. Update, review, advertise, and promote Separation of Powers portal. Identify other issues common to legislatures and legislative staff, through which staff might benefit from a central repository of information. Professional Development and Outreach Subcommittee Goal: Oversee, organize, produce, and market professional development opportunities for legislative staff. Duties and responsibilities: In cooperation with Staff Section Officers, review fall professional development seminars and address any issues as necessary, including cost-allocation formula. Update NCSL and You brochure. Statehouse Ambassadors. Orientation for first-time attendees at Legislative Summit in Louisville. Mega sessions. Outreach to personal, district, and partisan staff. Project Citizen Pilot Project. Legislative Staff Management Institute. Identify training opportunities for senior legislative managers. Work with Standing Committee officers to update staff lists if possible. Work with Standing Committee officers and Staff Section Officers to market and promote Fall and Spring Forums and become involved in Standing Committees. LSCC Report, continued E-Learning Subcommittee There are still some Lincolns left in the e-learning grant and leftover funds will roll over to next year. The new funding cycle begins on Jan. 1, RACSS is getting our share of the e- learning grant to do a Webinar on 50-state research this fall and we might consider a second webinar next year, if funds are still available. Technology and E-Learning Subcommittee Goals: Develop, monitor, and promote e-learning opportunities available to legislative staff. Work with NCSL staff to continue to monitor the development of the NCSL website. If possible, work with NCSL staff to develop NCSL University, an e-learning portal for legislators and staff. Duties and responsibilities: E-learning. Continue to monitor the NCSL website. Develop and produce e-learning sessions for broadcast during the year if committee identifies an issue/program that would appeal to all staff. Strategic Planning Work Group Goals: Work with NCSL to gather, organize, publish and preserve records from previous Legislative Staff Coordinating Committees, particularly but not limited to end-of-conference-year reports and recommendations. Review those records to discover trends and common matters of interest and to identify items that warrant further attention. Track work by this year s LSCC in preparation for next year. Provide a forum for legislative staff members of the NCSL Executive Committee. Staff Section Officers Subcommittee Goals: Exchange and share ideas and information among staff sections. Discuss and resolve issues common to staff sections. Promote benefits of staff section involvement. In cooperation with Professional Development and Outreach Subcommittee, produce and promote quality professional development opportunities for legislative staff. In cooperation with the Technology and E-learning Subcommittee, monitor and promote the use of e-learning funds. Duties and responsibilities: Monitor fall professional development seminars; encourage joint meetings for 2010 and beyond. Work with Legislative Institutions Subcommittee on Promoting Legislative Service as a Career project. Work with Standing Committee Officers and Professional Development and Outreach Subcommittee to develop marketing and outreach for Fall and Spring Forums. Encourage use of e-learning funds by staff sections. Orientation for Staff Section Officers regarding LSCC. Assist with International Program at the Louisville Legislative Summit.

6 Updates From the Garden State One Gun A Month This August, New Jersey became the fourth state to enact One Gun A Month legislation, joining California, Maryland, and Virginia. The law is effective January 1, New Jersey s One Gun A Month law specifically prohibits a person from purchasing more than one handgun in a 30-day period, thereby allowing for a maximum of 13 handguns to purchased each year. The law also prohibits retail firearms dealers from selling more than one handgun to a person within a 30-day period. A violation is a fourth degree crime, punishable by imprisonment of up to 18 months, a fine of up to $10,000, or both. There are several exemptions to New Jersey s One Gun A Month law. Federal, State, and local law enforcement agencies or officers purchasing handguns for use by officers in the actual performance of their law enforcement duties are not subject to the limitation. Also exempt are holders of a valid Collector of Curios and Relics License issued by the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. The law does not apply to transfers of handguns between licensed retail dealers. The intent of the One Gun A Month law is to prevent the purchase of multiple handguns which may end up in the hands of criminals. The law addresses straw purchases, which involve one person buying firearms on behalf of another person who may or may not be legally qualified to make that purchase. The legislative history of New Jersey s One Handgun a Month law began at the local level. Jersey City, one of New Jersey s largest cities, enacted an ordinance limiting handgun purchases to one a month. Challenged by the Association of New Jersey Rifle and Pistol Clubs and the owners of the one gun retailer in the city, the court held that New Jersey s pervasive regulation of handguns at the state level preempted the city from regulating in this area. Consequently, state legislators representing Jersey City introduced a bill to limit handgun purchases throughout the state to one a month. The measure passed the General Assembly with a solid majority, but the bill faced opposition in the Senate. In the late hours of the last legislative session before summer recess, during which the budget bill also was being debated, proponents of the law gained the necessary 21st Senate vote when the Governor agreed to establish by executive order a task force to review, evaluate and make recommendations concerning the effect of the One Gun A Month law on gun collectors, competitive shooters, and recreational users. The task force is required to report its recommendations within 90 days of the task force s first meeting, which was held September 24, 2009, for the purpose of acting on those recommendations before the end of the current legislative session on January 11, It s an issue to watch during this upcoming lame duck session. Submitted by Wendy Whitbeck, Lead Counsel, Office of Legislative Services, New Jersey Lifeline Law Passes Governor Jon Corzine recently signed a bill referred to as the Lifeline Legislation which protects underage drinkers seeking medical attention for a friend with an alcohol-induced sickness. The new law provides immunity from prosecution to persons under age 21 who possess or consume alcoholic beverages if they call for help for another underage drinker who requires medical treatment. The person who was sickened by the consumption of alcoholic beverages would be immune from prosecution, along with up to three underage persons acting in concert to provide assistance. Incidents that occur on public or private property are included under the law s provisions. In order to be immune from prosecution, the underage persons must cooperate with law enforcement and medical responders, provide their names to the operator, and remain on the scene until medical assistance arrives. The call also must be the first to report the incident. Under current law, an underage drinker who knowingly possesses or consumes alcoholic beverages on public property is guilty of a disorderly persons offense, which is punishable by a fine of up to $1,000, up to six months imprisonment, or both. If the offense is committed in a motor vehicle, the driver s license of the underage drinker will be suspended for six months. State statutes also authorize local authorities to enact ordinances to prosecute underage drinkers who possess or consume alcoholic beverages on private property. A violation of such an ordinance is punishable by a fine of $250 for the first offense and a fine of $350 for subsequent offenses. The court also may suspend the underage drinker s driver s license for six months. An underage person who meets the requirements of this new law would not be subject to these state and local sanctions. Submitted by Anne Stefane, Lead Counsel, Office of Legislative Services, New Jersey. 6 RACSS Newsletter Fall 2009

7 Illinois Looks at Ethics in 2009 Session Illinois, like other states, has been facing declining revenues and increased spending pressures. The FY10 budget started with a record $2.8 billion in unpaid bills from FY09. The Governor estimated the two-year deficit to be $11.6 billion. With state revenue projected to continue to fall in the new fiscal year, the budget is based on savings from employee furlough days (12) and significant layoffs; $3.5 billion in bonding for pension contributions; federal support from the ARRA; and increased leeway on where funds may be spent. Yet, appropriations still exceed projected revenues by $1.4 billion, and calls for tax increases are sporadic. On the heels of a Governor arrested and subsequently ousted, the 2009 session of the 96th Illinois General Assembly was one of attempting ethics reforms. Records subject to the Freedom of Information Act were expanded, time frames for responding to FOIA requests were narrowed, and a Public Access Coordinator was created to hear appeals of denied requests. Also, provisions related to procurement, inspectors general, lobbyist registration, and revolving door prohibitions were strengthened. In early January, then-lieutenant Governor Quinn created the Illinois Reform Commission to investigate areas where reform is most needed. A bill with campaign fundraising and spending limits was drafted, based on some of the Commission s recommendations; Governor Quinn testified on behalf of the bill, but his Commission opposed it. The bill passed both houses but, with support of legislative leaders, the Governor vetoed it, citing a goal of more comprehensive reform. With a new Governor and new leaders in the Senate, Illinois enacted a capital plan for the first time in nearly a decade. The 6- year, $31 billion plan for transportation and infrastructure improvement will be funded by revenues from legalized video gambling at bars (with some localities already opting out); online lottery ticket sales and a possible leasing of lottery operations; increased taxes on alcohol and some food items; and increased vehicle-related fees. In other areas, the state is studying getting power from coal gasification and capturing carbon dioxide; the state supported Chicago s failed bid to host the 2016 Summer Olympics; the state s system of planning for health facilities and services was revamped; the limit on the number of charter schools was doubled; and Illinois joined the chorus of states banning texting while driving. Submitted by Thomas Bazan, Research Associate, Illinois Legislative Research Unit. RACSS Webinar Mark Your Calendars for the first RACSS Webinar November 19, 2009 Conducting 50-State Research Finding 50-state law information has never been easier. Every year, hundreds of new surveys are published in articles, cases, commercial databases, court briefs, books, government publications, loose-leaf services, and websites. But how can you quickly find just the right one for the subject you need right now? Join Cheryl Nyberg for a discussion of her successful search strategies in a one-hour webinar on November 19, 2009, sponsored by RACSS. Cheryl Rae Nyberg is the Reference Librarian & Website Content Manager for the Gallagher Law Library at the University of Washington and author of the Subject Compilations of State Laws bibliography series. Ms. Nyberg presented a similar session for RACSS and LRL members during the NCSL Annual Meeting in Seattle several years ago and provided excellent advice for developing and researching issues on a 50-state basis. There is no charge for the webinar. To register, send an to jeanne.mejeur@ncsl.org. Registration will be limited to 50 participants. To participate, you will need to use your computer to view visual materials and your telephone to hear the audio presentation. The webinar will be recorded and posted on the RACSS website for future viewing. DETAILS: Title: Conducting 50-State Research Date: Thursday, November 19, 2009 Time: 2:00 ET, 1:00 CT, 12:00 MT, 11:00 PT Cost: Free Registration: send to jeanne.mejeur@ncsl.org RACSS Newsletter Fall

8 Legislative Fellows Program NCSL is pleased to announce the Legislative Fellowship Program (LFP). The NCSL International Programs department is very excited to continue our legislative fellows program. In 2010 some changes are taking place from years past for those who have been previously involved. Formerly the Legislative Education and Practicum (LEAP) program, it is now called the Legislative Fellows Program (LFP). NCSL is currently accepting applications from legislators and legislative staff to act as supervisors for fellows from Russia, Ukraine, and Georgia. The successful supervisor applicants will supervise two fellows for a month in April, Applicants may also qualify to supervise an additional two fellows in October, Supervisors of LFP fellows may have the opportunity to travel to the home country of their fellows! There are a limited number of opportunities, so please respond quickly to begin your participation in this inspiring, culture-enriching legislative program. Please send a completed response form to Maggie Lamborn at maggie.lamborn@ncsl.org or For more information on the program, see the program description. The LFP is similar to NCSL s LEAP program, but is different in two key areas. The first is that the fellows will only be in fellowships for one month and the second is that the supervisors may have the opportunity to travel to Russia, Georgia, or Ukraine. LFP is a program sponsored by the U.S. State Department and administered by the NCSL and American Councils for International Education. It affords promising young professionals from several countries in Eastern Europe who are pursuing careers in government the opportunity to gain comparative experience in the U.S. at no cost to you or to your state. Program Details The Legislative Fellows Program (LFP) is sponsored by the U.S. State Department. It is administered by NCSL and American Councils for International Education: ACTR/ACCELS for Georgia, Russia and Ukraine. Initiated in 2005 under the name of the Legislative Education and Practice (LEAP) program, the LFP builds upon the established program and affords up to 50 promising young professionals from Georgia, Russia, and Ukraine the opportunity to gain practical experience in, and exposure to, U.S. government. The knowledge and interest of these young Eurasian professionals in the U.S. political processes will be expanded through short term fellowships in state legislatures and local governments across the U.S., as well as on Capitol Hill. In addition, the LFP provides funds to enable up to 25 U.S. citizens to travel outbound on reciprocal visits to Russia, Ukraine, and Georgia. One of the program objectives is to enable Fellows to share their knowledge with peers in Eurasia through a follow-on program in which they will conduct conferences and outreach activities in collaboration with U.S. counterparts. Another unique new feature to the LFP is that it serves countries outside Eurasia meaning that Georgian, Russian and Ukrainian Fellows will have any opportunity to learn from their peers around the world (Asia, Africa, etc). Plans are currently underway for a large pan-lfp conference to take place twice a year in Washington, D.C. Foreign participants will be selected through a competitive online application process scheduled to commence in October The first foreign delegation will travel to the U.S. in April/ May 2010 with the second group following in October of the same year. Reciprocal travel of U.S. counterparts is tentatively planned for the summer of 2010 and winter U.S. Components: Fellows will attend orientation sessions prior to departing for the U.S. Upon arrival in the United States, they will participate in a three day intensive introduction to the U.S. political process in Denver, CO. Fellows will then begin their fellowships across the U.S., immersing themselves in the daily operations of state governance, government oversight, and citizen participation. Before departing the U.S., Fellows will be required to submit a proposal which culminates in establishing a link between their host organization and their home Eurasian city/region. 25 such proposals will be selected for funding enabling U.S. colleagues to complete the exchange. Reciprocal Components: Selected U.S. participants will attend orientation sessions prior to departing from the U.S. during which they will learn about host country culture and review program requirements. Upon arrival overseas, they will participate in a short intensive introduction to the local political climate. They will then spend up to two weeks implementing a project that they worked collaboratively on with their Fellow. Alumni Components: In addition to the reciprocal component of the program, all LFP Fellow alumni will be required to participate in country-specific alumni activities including but not limited to legislative institutes and at least two self-initiated mini projects. For More Information Contact Maggie Lamborn, NCSL International Program, or maggie.lamborn@ncsl.org. 8 RACSS Newsletter Fall 2009