Legislative Effectiveness Committee

Committee Reports and Work Products

The NCSL Legislative Effectiveness Committee helps NCSL with several key work products to assist state legislators and legislative staff.

The committee has helped NCSL create a series of Legislator Training CDs that provide advice from experts on key topics. Experienced legislators, staff and others give tips on how to master the legislative process, chair a committee, understand a state budget, serve your constituents, build consensus and deal with the media. All the CDs are provided free to legislators and staff.

The committee publishes summaries of all of its sessions at the Spring and Fall Forums and the Annual Meeting.

The committee conducted an in-depth survey in 2002 of New Member Orientation. These orientation programs provide a critical opportunity for state legislatures to help their new members and NCSL research shows that states are giving their programs a makeover. Our web pages explain how states plan their programs, what training methods they use and how they teach substantive, procedural and technology issues. In 2006, we have added an article on Starting on the Right Foot: New Member Orientation.

The committee conducted a survey of Innovative Legislative Management Policies. The report focuses on changes in information technology and management and member services.