RACSS Newsletter Research and Committee Staff Section Winter 2016 In This Issue: Happy New 2016! Chair s Column: By Charlotte Carter-Yamauchi Acting Director, Legislative Reference Bureau, Hawaii RACSS Chair, 2015-2016 For those of you who don t know me, I am Charlotte Carter-Yamauchi acting director, Legislative Reference Bureau, Hawaii and chair of the Research and Committee Staff Section (RACSS). First, I want to tell you how honored I am to have been selected as your chair. In our work serving state legislatures, we play such an important role in facilitating the democratic process in our country, and it is exciting to be able to share our experiences with one another and to come together for training and networking. Our RACSS Executive Committee for 2016 is a wonderful group of dedicated people: Vice-Chair: Susan Byorth Fox, executive director, Legislative Services Division, Montana Immediate Past Chair: Bryant Howe, deputy director, Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel, Utah Directors: Cindy Ellison, senior research associate, Texas Legislative Council Sheila Mason, record compiler and intern coordinator, Kentucky Legislative Research Commission Bradley K. Krehely, staff attorney, Research Division, North Carolina General Assembly Kristin Sullivan, chief analyst, Office of Legislative Research, Connecticut Cathy Eslinger, research manager, Colorado Legislative Council Staff Kylah E. Aull, manager, Library and Records, North Dakota Legislative Council The NCSL Legislative Summit in Seattle was a huge success with 129 RACSS members and 5,349 total attendees at the meeting. RACSS was a sponsor for three sessions at the Summit, and we ve included links to materials from those sessions in the segment about the Summit. Here are the sessions we are including: Ethics in Public Service: The Communication Connection This engaging and entertaining presentation provided best practices to develop strong, strategic and ethical communication in your legislature. Chair s Column... 1 RACSS Gives Jeanne Mejeur a Big Thank you!... 2 Legislative Staff Achievement Awards... 3 NCSL Legislative Summit.. 4 RACSS Professional Development Seminar... 5 RACSS Members Survey... 8 The RACSS Newsletter is published periodically by the Research and Committee Staff Section, a staff organization of the National Conference of State Legislatures. www.ncsl.org Denver: 303-364-7700 DC: 202-624-5400 RACSS Executive Committee 2015-2016 Chair: Charlotte Carter-Yamauchi, Hawaii Vice-chair: Susan Fox, Montana Immediate Past Chair: Bryant Howe, Utah Directors: Cindy Ellison, Texas Brad Krehely, North Carolina Sheila Mason, Kentucky Kristin Sullivan, Connecticut Kylah Aull, North Dakota Cathy Eslinger, Colorado RACSS Liaison: Kae Warnock, NCSL Continued on p. 12
RACSS Gives Jeanne Mejeur a Big Thank you! RACSS members gave a farewell salute to former liaison, Jeanne Mejeur. Jeanne was the RACSS liaison for over 25 years and we are grateful for her dedicated service. RACSS Chair, Charlotte Carter-Yamauchi and RACSS Past Chair 2013-14, Sabrina Lewellan present Jeanne Mejeur with an engraved wooden box and a scrapbook of letters of thanks from RACSS officers. Note: Shortly after the 2015 Professional Development Seminar, Jeanne announced that she was retiring from NCSL and moving back to her home state of Michigan. We wish you the very best Jeanne!! 2 National Conference of State Legislatures
Legislative Staff Achievement Awards Bryant Howe Deputy Director Legislative Research & General Counsel, Utah Legislature Bryant has worked with the Utah Legislature's Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel for over 33 years where he is currently the deputy director. In his time with the Utah legislature, he has worked extensively in the areas of health, human resources, child welfare, pensions, public education and taxation. In addition to his work in the substantive legal and committee areas, he has also coordinated the Utah legislature's new legislator orientation programs and the legislative intern program. [After being recognized by RACSS with the 2003 Legislative Staff Achievement Award, Bryant has continued to be an active and contributing member of RACSS, most recently having] served two terms of two-years on the RACSS Executive Committee, and then after rotating off, was reelected to another term before he was elected as Vice Chair in 2013. He is currently serving as the Chair of RACSS for the 2014-15 term. Bryant has been an active contributor to RACSS, often as a volunteer to take on needed projects. He has been instrumental in planning and participating in RACSS programs, seminars and webinars. Some of his earlier NCSL work included service on the NCSL Health and Human Services Committee, the Medicaid Legislative Staff Network, the Children, Youth and Families Committee and the Task Force on Developmental Disabilities. Bryant also taught for seven years at the NCSL Skills Development Seminar. The Research and Committee Staff Section is proud to honor Bryant Howe with the 2015 Legislative Staff Achievement Award for his outstanding contributions to the Utah legislature, RACSS and NCSL. Sabrina N. Lewellen Deputy Director and Assistant Secretary of the Arkansas Senate Sabrina NeKay Lewellen is the deputy director and assistant secretary of the Arkansas Senate. From 2008 to 2013, she served as the Constituency Services/Research & Special Projects Manager for the Senate where she provided support and leadership to the members, staff and constituents on a variety of topics. She joined the Senate in 2003 and is a valued professional who displays a level of professional poise and personal determination that is unmatched. Sabrina has been an active member of RACSS since 2005. She has served in various positions including a member of the RACSS Advisory Council in 2008-09, serving on the executive committee as a member for two terms, vice-chair and chair of RACSS for 2013-14, and currently as the RACSS past chair. Sabrina has been an active participant at RACSS professional development seminars and RACSS sessions at the Summit, including serving as both a moderator and presenter. Sabrina is also a 2009 graduate of the Legislative Staff Management Institute. In 2010, NCSL's State Legislatures magazine featured Sabrina in the article entitled "New Wave" which highlighted 10 emerging individuals in a generation of legislative staff leaders who may change and challenge the way legislatures across the nation do business. Sabrina is truly an ambassador of RACSS and the staff section is proud to recognize her dedication and commitment to state legislatures by presenting her with the 2015 Legislative Staff Achievement Award. National Conference of State Legislatures 3
RACSS Sessions at the NCSL Legislative Summit 2015 Interesting and interactive sessions were the focus of the 2015 Legislative Summit in Seattle. In addition, to several great sessions, RACSS members held their annual Business Meeting, electing officers and presenting the 2015 Legislative Staff Achievement Awards. Walker Reagan, Chair of the RACSS Awards Committee presents the Legislative Staff Achievement Award to Bryant Howe, Deputy Director, Legislative Research & General Counsel, Utah Legislature Walker Reagan, Chair of the RACSS Awards Committee presents the Legislative Staff Achievement Award to Sabrina Lewellan, Deputy Director and Assistant Secretary of the Arkansas Senate Session Materials Ethics in Public Service: The Communication Connection Video interview Brian Baird, a former six term US representative and a clinical psychologist, is an avid proponent of ethical conduct in the legal and legislative professions. Baird discusses how the ability to effectively communicate relates to ethical practice and conduct for legislators, legislative staff and legislative attorneys. This engaging and entertaining presentation provided best practices to develop strong, strategic and ethical communication in your legislature. Legislative Staff University Rock Star Communication: Take it To the Next Level! With Sari de la Motte Presentation: Rock Star Communication: Take It to the Next Level Effective Research Strategies: Finding and Presenting Information Handout: Effective Research Strategies: Conducting 50-State Legal Research Cheryl Rae Nyberg Handout: Communicating Powerfully with Animation: Some Examples and Resources Mark D. Andrews and Bryant Howe Technology: It's Not Magic Presentation: It's Not Magic Ronda Tentarelli, Legislative Service Center, Washington Presentation: Technology - It's Not Magic Terri Clark, Director of Technical Services, Kansas Legislative Office of Information Services Additional sessions at the Summit For materials from other sessions at the Legislative Summit check out this resource page 4 National Conference of State Legislatures
2015 RACSS Professional Development Seminar Austin, Texas Bill Analysis: Tried and True and What's New Michael Gallagher, Legislative Attorney with the Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau, reviewed bills and resolutions requiring bill analysis in Wisconsin and discussed how the courts use bill analysis in legislative intent. In one interesting case, the Wisconsin Supreme Court relied on the analysis of a bill that was not enacted as a guide to interpreting a similar provision enacted in the biennial budget act. County of Dane v. Racine County, 118 Wis. 2d 494, 499-501 (Ct. App. 1984). Gallagher also noted Aristotle's principle of non-contradiction applies to writing bill analyses: how to be boring and not boring at the same time. Tips for writing clear bill analyses that won't "bore readers to death" include: Place the most important information first. Use active voice. Start with a crisp topic sentence. Write it sooner rather than later. Avoid the "formless mass." Assume no one will read the actual bill. Carey Eskridge, Policy Research Manager/Bill Analysis Coordinator with the Texas Legislative Council, discussed the required content of bill analyses under Texas House of Representatives, House Rule 4, Section 32(c). He explained the technical writing style and the tight time-frame of bill analyses. From February 22 to May 6, 2015, TLC produced over 4,100 bill analyses. Next session, the TLC's bill analysis operations will be all paperless. In an interesting question to consider for legislative librarians and legislative history researchers, both presenters discussed the purpose of bill analyses at the point they are written. The Wisconsin Bill Drafting Manual 2015-2016, Section 4.03, states, "Do not explain the need for the proposal in the analysis. Let the proponents do that at the public hearing or during the floor debate." The Texas Legislative Council bill analyses include background and purpose that may contain an author's statement about the legislation, and a description of the circumstances that prompted the filing of the bill, written without specificity. Reflections on Legislative Service Bradley K. Krehely, staff attorney North Carolina General Assembly- Research Division Sabrina Lewellen, deputy director and assistant secretary of the Arkansas Senate, served as moderator. The panel included: Megan Comlossy, senior research analyst for the Nevada Legislative Counsel Bureau, Bradley K. Krehely, staff attorney for the Research Division of the North Carolina General Assembly, and Estella Smith, administrator, Committee Services Section of the Arkansas Bureau of Legislative Research. The session elicited perspectives and advice from panelists who are at various stages of their careers. Panelists discussed satisfactions, disappointments, moments of humor, and lessons learned throughout their years of service. The format also allowed audience participation which enriched the discussion. 5 National Conference of State Legislatures
2015 RACSS Professional Development Seminar Austin, Texas Effective Communication with Legislators and Staff Bradley K. Krehely, Staff Attorney North Carolina General Assembly- Research Division Ken Levine, director of the Sunset Commission at the Texas Legislature, and Cindy Ellison, senior research associate for the Texas Legislative Council, were the presenters. The session addressed communication with legislators in the following settings: committee testimony, individual briefings with legislators, and discussions on the House or Senate floor. Some practical tips included: knowing the audience's preferred communication method, being aware of body language, maintaining eye contact, and ending with a summary of what you have committed to do. The session also included advice for dealing with staff of individual legislators. Finally, attendees offered their own suggestions for effective communication. The 2015 LSSS, RACSS and LRL Professional Development Seminar offer ed sessions of inter est to r esear chers, committee staff, legislative attorneys, drafters, editors and librarians. The seminar featured interactive sessions and opportunities to learn from legislative colleagues in other states. All available handouts are linked here 6 National Conference of State Legislatures
2015 RACSS Professional Development Seminar Austin, Texas How Can RACSS Help You RACSS - Personalities in the Professional Atmosphere Sabrina N. Lewellen is deputy director and assistant secretary of the Arkansas Senate. In this video, she discusses her presentation which explored personality types and helpful tools for dealing with others professionally and successfully. Participants at the 2015 Professional Development Seminar talk about the value of a professional organization like RACSS. National Conference of State Legislatures 7
RACSS Members Survey 2015 The 2015 RACSS members survey provided some great information about Research and committee staff and the work they do. One hundred fifty-four legislative staff responded to the survey. 8 National Conference of State Legislatures
RACSS Members Survey 2015 9 National Conference of State Legislatures
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Chair s Column (continued) Effective Research Strategies: Finding and Presenting Information This session explored the best sources and process for gathering information on policy issues. Learn about innovative ways to present information to legislators and key staff. Technology: It's Not Magic Consumer electronic devices and technologies are widespread, affordable and very user friendly, raising expectations that all types of information systems should be easy to develop and make user friendly. This session explored the questions to ask of IT staff and customers when looking for new solutions, how to bridge technical and nontechnical communication gaps, and how to balance competing demands for IT services. For materials from other sessions at the Legislative Summit check out this resource page The 2015 Professional Development Seminar in Austin, Texas, held in combination with the Legal Services Staff Section and the Legislative Research Librarians was a great meeting with many interesting sessions attended by 232 people, including 57 RACSS members. We ve included summaries of RACSS sponsored sessions in this newsletter, plus links to handouts from many of the sessions at the meeting and links to videos we recorded. In order to provide better planning and coordination for RACSS training and continuing education at the 2016 NCSL Legislative Summit and at the fall PDS, I have appointed RACSS Vice- Chair Susan Fox to chair a program planning committee. If you have program suggestions for future meetings, please contact Susan at sfox@mt.gov. I hope you will mark your calendars for the 2016 NCSL Legislative Summit, which will be in Chicago Aug. 8-11. Our annual RACSS Professional Development Seminar will be joint with the Legal Services Staff Section Sept. 26-28 in Salt Lake City. I urge you to attend either or both of these valuable conferences. It is a wonderful opportunity to gain new knowledge, learn new skills, and network with your colleagues from around the country. Hope to see you there! Aloha, Charlotte Carter-Yamauchi Acting Director Hawaii Legislative Reference Bureau In early 2015, we sent out a survey to learn more about RACSS members. We asked members about their primary function in the legislature, the type of work they do, and whether they are also affiliated with another NCSL staff section. The results are pretty interesting, and we ve included them for your review. Research Tools We all have our favorite go to websites that help us to conduct our research. Here are a couple of sites that I rely on: http://www.ncsl.org/research.aspx: NCSL s research is extensive and NCSL staff are happy to help you find what you need. American Law Sources On-line (ALSO!): State constitutions, statutes, administrative rules, court decisions, ordinances and homerule charters. Tell us about your favorite research tools. Please send your favorite sites to: Kae.Warnock@ncsl.org National Conference of State Legislatures 12