NLSSA Agenda

Wednesday, December 5, 2001

8:00 am--6:00 pm

Registration

8:00 am-9:30 am

Continuity of Democracy When Bioterrorism Affects the Capitol
National Legislative Services and Security Association
Federal and State government are reacting to the threat of bioterrorism as well as physical terrorist acts. Defense of the legislative process, protection of constitutional representatives and staff, and the physical locations where they work, while also protecting the citizenry, has brought new daily challenges to those sworn to protect and serve. What has it been like to evacuate the U.S. Capitol due to Anthrax contamination? What can we learn? What do state legislatures need to know?
Speakers: Jim Varey, Chief, U.S. Capitol Police, Washington, D.C.
Jim Rohan, Deputy Chief in Charge ofg Uniform Services, U.S. Capitol Police

9:30 am-11:45 a.m.

Services and Security Roundtable
National Legislative Services and Security Association
Moderator: Jon Hochkammer, Senate Sergeant at Arms, Wisconsin

1:30 pm - 3:00 pm

State-Federal Partnering for Preparedness
ASI Criminal Justice Committee & AFI Law and Justice Committee
A coordinated federal, state and local preparedness is the best defense against terrorism on U.S. soil. This briefing will discuss assessing and equipping readiness, including federal funding opportunities.

3:15 pm - 4:45 pm

Getting the Message Out
ASI Legislative Effectiveness Committee
Legislatures need to develop clear and efficient lines of communication that will work in normal and crisis situations. This session focuses on how legislatures use planning, new technology and traditional methods to provide and receive timely and accurate information.

Stakeholders' Roundtable on Terrorism Threat, Response
ASI Criminal Justice Committee & AFI Law and Justice Committee
Preparedness for potential terrorist acts involves police, fire, medical and emergency management personnel. In this session, those stakeholders discuss approaches to meeting the threat of terrorism.

6:00 pm--7:00 pm

Opening Reception at the Hyatt Regency on Capitol Hill

Thursday, December 6, 2001

7:00 am - 6:00 pm

Registration

7:00 am - 8:00 am

Continental Breakfast

8:00 am - 10:00 am

"Globalization of State Crime"
ASI Criminal Justice Committee
The recent attacks on America raise the stakes for effective policy and practice to investigate and prosecute transnational criminal activity. This session will explore the growing intergovernmental challenge to match the sophistication of terrorist organizations, as well as those who traffic in drugs and weapons, and use the boundary-less cyberworld to commit crimes.

10:15 am - Noon

Preparing Legislators to Lead in Crisis
ASI Legislative Effectiveness Committee
American state legislatures have faced some emotionally charged tragedies in the last few years. Whether it has been terrorist attacks, school violence or natural disasters, state legislators have demonstrated critical leadership to their constituents and colleagues in highly troubled times. This session explores the key attributes of this leadership.

Anti-terrorism Technology
ASI Criminal Justice & Communications and Information Policy Committees
New technologies hold promise for fighting terrorism and other crimes. This session will demonstrate biometric technologies, including facial recognition, and interoperability of communications systems, allowing jurisdictions to mount a well coordinated response to situations.

12:15 pm - 1:45 pm

The States and National Security
Tom Ridge, Director of Homeland Security
This session will highlight the security steps the country has taken since the September 11 terrorism attacks, with a focus on the role of state governments in this nationwide effort.

2:00 pm - 3:45 pm

Is the Capitol Safe?
ASI Legislative Effectiveness Committee
Legislatures around the country are asking that very question and many are making drastic changes to security in their capitols and legislative buildings. But what level of security is enough, and how much is too much? Where is the balance between security and maintaining an open legislative process? Learn what several states are doing to protect their capitols as the committee examines the need for minimum standards in capitol security.

Protection vs. Privacy
ASI Criminal Justice & Communications and Information Policy Committees
Deployment of new technologies in the war against terrorism brings with it implications for civil liberties. This session will explore the trade-off of greater law enforcement and private security surveillance capabilities, and the privacy protections that Americans are accustomed to.

3:30 pm - 4:45 pm

 Committee sessions

6:30 pm - 8:00 pm

Reception

Friday, December 7, 2001

7:30 am - 1:00 pm

Registration

7:00 am - 8:00 am

Continental Breakfast

8:00 am - 8:45 am

To Be Announced

8:45 am - 10:45 am

The Legislature's Response to Terrorism
NCSL Special Briefing sponsored by the National Legislative Services and Security Association
Legislatures will tackle many tough aspects of the recent terrorist attacks in the next legislative session including: protecting water, electricity and natural gas supplies and infrastructure; maintaining fire and police forces as National guard and reservists are called up for duty; and defining the crimes related to terrorism and the appropriate penalties. This session will examine these issues, explain how terrorists think about public buildings as targets, and clarify what federal actions may affect the states.

10:45 am - Noon

Managing Criminal Intelligence in a Free Society During Periods of Critical Incidence
National Legislative Services and Security Association
Managing the flow of verified and unverified information to policy makers criminal justice public safety the media and the general public. Deciding what's right and when it's ripe. We are looking to manage the tremendous flow of information both real and imagined that must be assessed, and assessed rapidly during periods of crisis.

Michael A. Jones, Deputy Chief, Division of Capitol Police, Virginia and Chair, Virginia Shared Intelligence Association

12:15 pm - 2:00 pm

Closing Plenary Lunch