About State Legislatures Issues Overview
How state legislatures function and all about the people who serve in state legislatures. Our information "About State Legislatures" is organized into the following major categories: legislative organization and procedure; legislator data and services; legislative staff data and services; ethics and conflict of interest; legislative leaders; training and orientation; facilities and security; and NCSL's Legislative Effectiveness and State Government Committee. Additional information and data on elections, campaign finance and redistricting issues is located at NCSL's Elections, Campaigns and Redistricting web page. Civic education information and resources are located at NCSL's Trust for Representative Democracy. See the Women's Legislative Network for information about women in state legislatures.
Legislative Organization and Procedures represent the structural backbone of any state legislature and provide a foundation for effective conduct of legislative business. Clearly articulated parliamentary procedure, effective operation of committees, and appropriate staff organization all contribute to legislative effectiveness. Through this web page, NCSL provides links to chamber rules in other states, a calendar of session dates for each state, and a glossary of legislative terms that will introduce you to the lexicon of legislative work.
Legislator Data and Services. There are 7,382 state legislators in the 50 state legislatures. During the past few decades, the demographics, party composition and pay of these members has changed in interesting ways. Legislator turnover trends have been modified by term limits enacted in 16 states. In this changing environment, the role of legislative leaders has never been more important. In addition, NCSL has expanded it's training opportunities for legislators on issues and legislative skills and offers direct assistance to members who desire customized, in-state training or policy help. This site also includes access to NCSL's national directory of state legislators.
Legislative Staff Data and Services. Today, state legislatures employ over 35,000 staff who provide a wide range of professional services to legislators and to the legislative institution. The ranks of these highly skilled professionals has experienced tremendous growth over the past few decades. NCSL first began counting staff numbers in each state in 1979. Many staff who bring specialized skills to the legislatures have formed national associations that operate through NCSL. These "staff sections" provide national networks and customized training for section members. Other resources on this site include information on staff personnel policy, professional development and training opportunities and a national directory of legislative staff.
Training and Orientation activities have moved to center stage in many state legislatures. Especially in term limited states, new member orientation has taken on a critical role in the effective functioning of those legislatures. NCSL has responded to this growing need through development of several training options for legislators and staff. Legislator audio training tapes offer a convenient way for members to learn about key legislative skills and strategies. For emerging leaders, NCSL's Leaders Center offers the acclaimed Leadership Institute. For over a decade, staff managers have attended the in-depth, annual Legislative Staff Management Institute. Newer staff can get important job training at the NCSL Skills Development Seminar. Sometimes travel is difficult, so NCSL offers customized in-house legislator or staff training that can be a cost-effective alternative to attending national seminars. For a complete list of NCSL seminars, see the NCSL Meetings Calendar.
Facilities and Security concerns were moved to the front burner in many state legislatures after the tragic events of September 11, 2001. State Capitol Security and effective facility management are key concerns of NCSL's National Legislative Services and Security Association, an NCSL staff section whose members include legislative administrative professionals, state house and senate sergeants-at-arms and senior state capitol police officials. State homeland security acts have been passed in several states and NCSL continues to track developments in this area. On a separate but related front, many states are engaged in extensive capitol restoration and renovation projects that feature respect for original design elements while also accommodating new communications technology.
NCSL's Legislative Effectiveness and State Government Committee is NCSL's principal national forum for the discussion and examination of key issues related to the operation of the legislative institution. The committee meets three times each year and agenda items cover a broad range that can include topics like legislative ethics, dispute resolution strategies, committee operations, staff organization alternatives, leadership roles and techniques, rules reform, or other parliamentary concerns. Legislators and legislative staff are members of the committee.
The NCSL Legislative Management Program conducts research and provides assistance on the key institutional issues of concern to legislators and staff, and may be reached at 303-364-7700 or legislatures-info@ncsl.org. The program also houses the nation's leading resources for information on redistricting and provides staff support to NCSL's Redistricting and Elections Committee. Program staff are: Joan Barilla; Jennie Bowser; Brenda Erickson; Bruce Feustel; Sarah Huber; Tim Storey; Brian Weberg and Kae Warnock.
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