Research and Committee Staff Section

RACSS Newsletter

Summer, 1998

Return to RACSS Home Page

Table of Contents

Chair's Column

Annual Meeting Programs in Las Vegas

RACSS Dutch Treat Dinner

RACSS Business Meeting

Legislative Staff Information Booth

Small Legislative Service Agency to Staff Large Legislative Conference

Seeking Nominations for RACSS Offices

1997-98 RACSS Officers

Proposed RACSS Bylaws Changes

Nominations Sought for NCSL Executive Committee

Senior Professional Development Seminar

Update on Legislative Staff Coordinating Committee Activities

Regional News

Staff Section Meeting Dates

Annual Meeting Dates 1999 - 2003

Chair’s Column

by Diane Bolender
Director, Iowa Legislative Service Bureau
1997-1998 RACSS Chair

As summer approaches, many of us have seen our state legislatures adjourn and our legislative service agencies change their focus to interim work during the summer and fall. It's a time to reflect on our legislative careers and to take advantage of opportunities to find ways to enhance our job performance. Let me encourage you to use the National Conference of State Legislatures to learn more about the legislative process in general and in other states and to learn more about issues facing our legislatures. This column will focus on the opportunities available through the Research and Committee Staff Section of NCSL. Our staff section is open to those who perform research services, policy analysis services, general legislative services, and committee staffing services for state legislatures.

First, I hope you find this newsletter helpful. It summarizes information about the staff section and also provides interesting and informative brief articles about the news in other states. Thanks again to the Regional Correspondents and State Contacts for their assistance. I hope that the Regional Correspondents and State Contacts from this year will agree to continue their assistance for next year's newsletter. Anyone else reading this newsletter who'd like to contribute information and articles is welcome to do so.

Second, RACSS publishes annually a listing of key research contacts from state legislatures. This booklet is helpful when you need to find information from another state and you're not sure where to call to obtain that information.

Third, RACSS provides professional development programs at the NCSL Annual Meeting and at the fall meeting of the Assembly on State Issues (ASI). The Annual Meeting is scheduled for July 20 through July 23 in Las Vegas. This fall the ASI will be held jointly with the Assembly on Federal Issues in Washington, D.C. from December 9 until December 11.

Fourth, RACSS provides professional development programs annually through the Research and Policy Track at the Skills Development Seminar, which will be held this year in Burlington, Vermont from August 19 through August 22. The Skills Development Seminar is for staff with fewer than two years experience working for state legislatures.

Fifth, RACSS provides professional development programs annually at its Senior Professional Development Seminar for RACSS members with five or more years' experience. This fall the Senior Professional Development Seminar is being conducted jointly with the Legal Services Staff Section in St. Paul/Minneapolis, Minnesota, from October 8 through October 10. A more complete description of this program is included elsewhere in this newsletter.

Sixth, RACSS has a homepage on the NCSL website that is one of the more complete of any staff section. I urge you to call it up and review its contents. It contains background information about RACSS, information about the professional development opportunities, the bylaws, and past newsletters.

This is my last column as chair of the Research and Committee Staff Section. It certainly has been a rewarding year for me as I worked with able cohorts to publish these newsletters, develop programs for RACSS members, and to provide other assistance to those who work for state legislatures in the research, policy analysis, and committee staffing arenas. I have appreciated the assistance of Karl Aro (MD), the Vice Chair, and the other members of the Executive Committee: Bob Erickson (NV), Bill Montgomery (DE), Donna Davis (AR), Dianna McClure (KE), and Larry Barish (WI) who is the Immediate Past Staff Section Chair. I have also appreciated the competence, enthusiasm, knowledge, and friendship of our NCSL staff contact, Jeanne Mejeur.

Please take time to think about how you might like to get involved in RACSS activities in the future. Help us to make our newsletter even better by contributing articles about your state or about information you've found helpful in your state legislatures, use the Directory of Key Contacts when you need information from other states, call up our website, register for our professional development seminars, and attend RACSS sessions when they're offered at NCSL meetings.

Annual Meeting Programs In Las Vegas

RACSS has planned some great programs for the 1998 NCSL Annual Meeting in Las Vegas. Diane Bolender of Iowa chaired a 10-member planning committee in developing innovative and unique programs for this year’s Annual Meeting. Members of the committee were Karl Aro, Maryland; Larry Barish, Wisconsin; Donna Davis, Arkansas; Bob Erickson, Nevada; Dianna McClure, Kentucky; Bill Montgomery, Delaware; David Hite, Colorado; David Sallach, New Jersey; and David Lovell, Wisconsin.

Politics in the Life of a Colony: The Fascinating Political History of Nevada and Las Vegas
Monday, July 20, 4:15 - 5:30 p.m.
This provocative and fast-paced program will examine the historical roots of Nevada, the "Battle Born" creation of President Lincoln during the American Civil War. Nevada's premature admission into the Union in 1864 was followed by years of domination by out-of-state mining and railroad interests. The "boom and bust" cycles of mining activity in an arid landscape caused the state to languish in the late 1800s and again after World War I. But, the legalization of gambling in the 1930's forever changed the political and economic direction of Nevada and its largest city, Las Vegas. Enjoy the provocative insight and lively commentary of Professor Hal Rothman and State Archivist Guy Rocha, featured experts on several nationally televised specials about the state. Despite the desert setting, this program promises to be anything but dry.
The program will be moderated by Robert Erickson, Legislative Counsel Bureau, Nevada. Speakers are Dr. Hal Rothman, Professor of History, University of Nevada, Las Vegas and Guy Louis Rocha, Administrator of Archives and Records, State of Nevada.

Managing Legislative Web Sites—A Learn As You Grow Proposition
Tuesday, July 21, 8:00 - 9:30 a.m.
Co-sponsored by the Research and Committee Staff Section and the Legislative Research Librarians Staff Section.
In the space of a few years, virtually every state legislature has established a presence on the World Wide Web. Sites vary in content and design, but regardless of the amount of information or technical sophistication, legislative staff have had to learn new skills and develop new working relationships to support these sites. In many states, the concept of a single "webmaster" responsible for policy, content and design has been superseded by a team approach, with management, design and content responsibilities shared among legislative staff and sometimes professional consultants. This session focuses on the underlying management and policy issues that Web publishing has raised and will contrast differing approaches on the rapidly evolving environment of legislative electronic information.
The program will be moderated by Larry Barish, Legislative Reference Bureau, Wisconsin. Panelists include Peter Cannon, Legislative Reference Bureau, Wisconsin; Marilyn Cathcart, Legislative Reference Library, Minnesota; Ron Nichols, Legislative Council Bureau, Nevada; William Montgomery, Legislative Council, Delaware; and Luis Avila, Legislative Council Service, New Mexico.

RACSS Dutch Treat Dinner
Tuesday, July 21, 6:30 p.m.
Sir Gallahad’s Restaurant at the Excalibur Hotel
Renew old friendships and meet new colleagues at the annual RACSS Dutch Treat Dinner. Spouses and guests are welcome. Please meet at the restaurant at 6:30 p.m.

Thomas Jefferson Comments on the New Millennium
Wednesday, July 22, 9:45 - 11:45 a.m.
Co-sponsored by the Research and Committee Staff Section, Legal Services Staff Section, Legislative Research Librarians Staff Section, and Leadership Staff Section
How would the founding fathers approach today's tough policy issues? Is the American democratic system holding true to its original foundation? Please join Mr. Thomas Jefferson as he shares his views on the past, present and future of our country. After he makes a brief presentation, the audience will engage Mr. Jefferson in a question-and-answer segment.
Alice Ackerman, of the Colorado Office of Legislative Legal Services will serve as moderator, with the Honorable Thomas Jefferson as speaker.

RACSS Annual Business Meeting and Luncheon
Wednesday, July 22, 12:00 – 1:15 p.m.
RACSS members meet to elect officers and plan staff section activities for the coming year. 1997-98 RACSS Chair Diane Bolender of the Iowa Legislative Service Bureau will preside.

Notions of Public Service Across Generational Lines
Thursday, July 23, 2:15 - 5:00 p.m.
This session explores the changing attitudes and perceptions of legislative service by different generations of staff. How has the evolving institution—and the public and media perception of the institution—changed the role of research and committee staff? The volume and complexity of issues, the competition of interest groups, and the environment of confrontation rather than collegiality affect the way younger generations view the legislature and a career of public service. Though the legislative arena has changed dramatically, some things remain constant. This program will examine ways to prepare the next generation of legislative staff to serve as the institutional memory and facilitators of the legislative process.
The program will be moderated by David Sallach, Office of Legislative Services, New Jersey. Alan Rosenthal, of the Eagleton Institute and a student of state legislatures and the author of several books about the legislative institution, will make a presentation, followed by responses from Karl Aro, Department of Legislative Services, Maryland; Dana Bennett, former research staff member from Nevada; Joyce Honaker, Legislative Research Commission, Kentucky; and Darrell Jackson, House Research Office, Missouri.

Be Sure to Attend the RACSS Dutch Treat Dinner In Las Vegas!!

Please join us at the annual RACSS Dutch Treat Dinner at the NCSL Annual Meeting in Las Vegas. Bob Erickson, Research Director for the Nevada Legislative Counsel Bureau and member of the RACSS Executive Committee, found and thoroughly recommends the site for our Dutch Treat Dinner: Sir Galahad’s, at the Excalibur Hotel. Located on "the Strip" near all the conference hotels, it features a varied menu and is best known for its prime rib.

This is a wonderful chance to meet new members of RACSS and renew old friendships. Spouses and guests are welcome. Please meet at the restaurant at 6:30 for an enjoyable evening!

RACSS Business Meeting

All legislative staff members who will be attending the Annual Meeting in Las Vegas and who perform research or policy analysis services, legislative services, or committee staffing services are invited to attend the Research and Committee Staff Section luncheon on Thursday from 12:00 noon until 1:15 p.m. It's the primary meeting of the year for the Staff Section. Among the issues on the agenda are the election of the executive committee for 1998-1999, introduction of the staff section members selected to receive the Staff Achievement Awards for 1998, and consideration of a change in the bylaws. Please plan to attend and have a voice in the activities of your staff section. The proposed bylaws changes are indicated elsewhere in this Newsletter. New language is indicated by underscoring

Legislative Staff Information Booth

As you enter the Convention Center at the Annual Meeting in Las Vegas on Monday or Tuesday, stop to visit with the volunteers at the Legislative Staff Information Booth. This year the Booth will be open beginning at 8:00 a.m. on Monday, July 20, and will close at 12:00 noon on Tuesday, July 21.

The booth will be staffed by volunteers from all nine staff sections, including volunteers from RACSS, and from legislative staff who are members of the NCSL Executive Committee. They'll have information about membership in RACSS and the other staff sections and information about the various professional development opportunities for legislative staff. The volunteers will be happy to visit with you about this information, about sessions at the Annual Meeting, or about the legislative staff work they perform in their own states.

Small Legislative Service Agency to Staff Large Legislative Conference

How, one might ask, does the only legislative service agency in a small western state provide adequate staff for a major legislative conference, such as the NCSL Annual Meeting? Some of the keys to success include pre-planning, careful balancing of legislative and conference priorities, delegating responsibilities, and a whole lot of optimism!

In 1992, representatives of the Nevada State Legislature obtained approval from NCSL’s Executive Committee to host the 1998 Annual Meeting in Las Vegas. This endeavor, while very positive for the State of Nevada, was greeted with mixed emotions by staff of the central, nonpartisan Legislative Counsel Bureau (LCB). It should be noted that this same staff had been stretched to the limit just four years earlier when Nevada hosted NCSL’s 1988 Annual Meeting in Reno. Additionally, since 1982 the Nevada Legislature and its LCB have hosted the annual meeting of The Council of State Governments, two annual meetings of CSG’s Western Legislative Conference, and smaller annual meetings of other legislative groups and organizations.

At this point, it might be helpful to provide an overview of Nevada’s LCB. Created in 1947, the LCB provides all basic staff services to members of the Nevada Legislature. For each biennial regular session, the Legislature conducts supplemental hiring of only committee secretaries, staff for the "front desk" (six are employed year round), and certain technical support staff. Otherwise, professional staff services for the Legislature are handled solely by the LCB, which has a full-time staff of about 200. The LCB is overseen by a director and is divided into five main divisions. The Administrative Division handles basic support functions, and includes an accounting unit, buildings unit, general services unit, grounds unit, information systems unit, janitorial unit, the legislative police, media services, and a Las Vegas office. The Audit Division performs financial and performance audits of agencies in the executive and judicial branches of state government. The Fiscal Analysis Division provides the Legislature with the capability for independent review and analysis of budgetary, tax, and fiscal matters. The Legal Division is responsible for bill drafts and resolutions, legal opinions, the review of administrative regulations and other legal assistance. Finally, the Research Division functions as the general information arm of the Legislature. The division’s primary responsibilities include providing research, information and analyses in response to requests submitted by legislators; providing primary staff assistance to most standing committees of both houses; maintaining the Legislative Research Library; and staffing most interim study committees between legislative sessions.

For the purposes of conducting NCSL’s 1998 Annual Conference in Las Vegas, Nevada’s Legislative Commission in 1994 formed the NCSL Host Committee. From 1994 through early 1997, the Host Committee and key LCB staff focused on pre-planning activities. In 1997, Cerrell Associates, Inc., of Los Angeles was employed by the Host Committee to coordinate fund-raising activities and plan the major social events. Also early in 1997, key LCB staff members met to identify the primary functions requiring staff support at NCSL ‘98. Then, the various divisions and staff units of LCB were asked to identify those functions they were willing to plan, organize, and staff, including the appointment of teams and team leaders to carry out responsibilities. These functions and staff assignments include:

Overall Coordination	LCB Director’s Office
Host State Office	LCB Director’s Office and Administrative Division
Major Social Events	Administrative Division and Cerrell Associates, Inc.
Transportation	Audit Division, Fiscal Analysis Division, Coach USA/Las Vegas
Registration	Legal Division
Youth Activity Program	Research Division and KiddieCorp of San Diego
Information/Hospitality Desks at Convention Center and Hotels	Research Division and Administrative Division
Message Center	Research Division
Spouse/Guest Lounge	Research Division
Security/Emergency Medical Services	Administrative Division (Legislative Police)
Information Systems/Communications	Administrative Division (I.S. Unit)
Volunteers	Administrative Division (Las Vegas Office)
Host State Gift Distribution	Secretary of the Senate and Chief Clerk of the Assembly
Guest Tours	Administrative Division and Cerrell Associates, Inc.

We at the Nevada Legislature and LCB have put much thought and planning into hosting NCSL’s annual meeting this year. We believe it will be one of the most successful conferences ever. Please join us in Las Vegas this summer and you can judge how we do for yourself!

Seeking Nominations For RACSS Offices

Research and Committee Staff Section (RACSS) members who are interested in serving as a member of the RACSS Executive Committee, either as the Vice Chair or as a director, please notify the Nominating Committee. Under the RACSS bylaws, the Nominating Committee must present a slate of candidates at the RACSS Annual Business Meeting in Philadelphia. Under the bylaws, the Vice Chair, Karl Aro, succeeds to the Chair. The Nominating Committee must propose a Vice Chair and two directors for two-year terms. Directors whose terms expire may be reelected for a second consecutive term. The immediate past Chair is also a director.

Becoming a member of the RACSS Executive Committee is a rewarding and educational experience. The RACSS Executive Committee is responsible for planning and carrying out a program for the Staff Section at the Annual Meeting of NCSL and for planning programs for other NCSL meetings as the Executive Committee deems feasible; for keeping the membership of the Staff Section informed of activities relating to the Staff Section, staff activities of NCSL, and topics of interest to members of the Staff Section; for working with the Staff Section Secretary to develop and implement seminars for members of the Staff Section (including the Skills Development Seminar for new legislative staff and the Professional Development Seminar for senior legislative staff); and for recommending actions to the Staff Section at the Annual Business Meeting. In addition, RACSS Executive Committee members network with one another and with other RACSS members. The Chair and Vice Chair of RACSS represent the Staff Section as members of the Legislative Staff Coordinating Committee of NCSL and become involved in decisions regarding the role of legislative staff in NCSL.

If you are interested in placing your name before the nominating committee, please write a letter to Karl Aro, Chair, Research and Committee Staff Section Nominating Committee, in care of Jeanne Mejeur at NCSL. Your letter must be received in the Denver office no later than Friday, July 3, 1998. The address is:

NCSL
Attention: Karl Aro, Chair,
RACSS Nominating Committee
c/o Jeanne Mejeur
1560 Broadway, Suite 700
Denver, CO 80202

In making its selection of candidates for the slate, the Nominating Committee members will review a candidate's prior legislative experience and NCSL activities, including activities relating to RACSS meetings and sessions. A telephone interview with the Nominating Committee may be required. The Nominating Committee will also consider geographic balance on the Committee as well as other factors relating to the diversity of the membership of the Executive Committee. Members of the Executive Committee should be able to travel to at least one of the meetings at which RACSS presents programs: the NCSL Annual Meeting or the Fall Assembly on State Issues meeting, and are encouraged to attend the RACSS Professional Development Seminr.

Members of the 1998 Nominating Committee are: Karl Aro, Executive Director of the Maryland Department of Legislative Services (chair); Larry Barish, Director of Reference and Library Services for the Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau; and Sally Tubbesing, Executive Director of the Maine Legislative Council.

1997-98 RACSS Officers

Following is a list of the 1997-98 Officers, noting when their term of office expires.

Diane Bolender (7/98)
Becomes Executive Committee member as Immediate Past Chair 7/98
Director, Legislative Service Bureau, Iowa

Karl Aro (7/98)
Assumes office of Chair 7/98
Executive Director, Department of Legislative Services, Maryland

Larry Barish (7/98)
Immediate Past Chair
Director, Information and Library Services
Legislative Reference Bureau, Wisconsin

Donna Davis (7/98)
Senior Legislative Analyst
Bureau of Legislative Research, Arkansas

Robert Erickson (7/99)
Research Director
Legislative Council Bureau, Nevada

Dianna McClure (7/99)
Committee Staff Administrator

Legislative Research Commission, Kentucky

William Montgomery (7/98)
Director, Division of Research
Legislative Council, Delaware

Proposed RACSS Bylaws Changes

Minor changes are being proposed to the RACSS Bylaws, basically expanding the categories of legislative staff who may become members. Please review the proposed changes, which are indicated by underscoring in the current Bylaws shown below. The changes will be considered at the RACSS Business Meeting held in conjunction with the NCSL Annual Meeting in Las Vegas, on Wednesday, July 22, from 12:00 to 1:15 p.m. All RACSS members are urged to attend.

ARTICLE I: General Provisions

NAME—The name of this organization is the Research and Committee Staff Section (RACSS), of the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL).

PURPOSES—The purposes of this staff section are:

1. To improve the quality and effectiveness of services to state legislatures, including research services, policy analysis services, general legislative services, and committee services.

2. To promote communication and information exchange among the members of the staff section.

3. To enhance the professionalism and skills of the members of the staff section.

4. To promote the service of members of the staff section in the activities of NCSL.

MEMBERSHIP—A staff member employed by a member legislature of the National Conference of State Legislatures and who provides research services, policy analysis services, general legislative services, or committee services is a member of the staff section.

ARTICLE II: EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

MEMBERSHIP—The executive committee of the staff section shall consist of a chair, a vice-chair, and five directors, one of whom shall be the immediate past chair. In addition, the staff section secretary and the editor of the staff section newsletter shall be nonvoting members of the executive committee, (unless the editor is also an officer or director).

OFFICERS—The officers of the staff section shall consist of a chair and vice-chair.

1. The chair shall serve a one-year term and shall preside at meetings of the executive committee and staff section, and shall have general management and control of the affairs of the staff section, subject to the approval of the executive committee.

2. The vice-chair, who is also the chair-elect, shall serve a one-year term and shall perform such duties as may be assigned by the chair. The vice-chair shall succeed the following year to the office of chair.

3. The chair and vice-chair shall serve as the representatives of the staff section on the Legislative Staff Coordinating Committee (LSCC) of NCSL, and shall participate in the activities and projects of such committees of the LSCC to which they are assigned.

4. The secretary of the staff section shall be the NCSL staff member assigned to the staff section.

DIRECTORS—Directors of the staff section shall be elected from the membership of the staff section for a term of two years and may be reelected for a second consecutive term. Two directors shall be elected each even-numbered

year and two directors shall be elected each odd-numbered year. The immediate past chair shall serve one one-year term.

QUORUM—A quorum for transaction of business by the executive committee is a majority of the voting members of the executive committee.

MEETINGS—The executive committee shall meet at the call of the chair during the Annual Meeting of NCSL. Other meetings of the executive committee shall be held at the discretion of chair in conjunction with other NCSL meetings, and at such other times as a majority of the voting members of the executive committee shall agree. Meetings may be conducted by conference telephone call at the discretion of the chair.

RESPONSIBILITIES—The executive committee shall:

1. Plan and execute the staff section’s program at the Annual Meeting of NCSL, and at any other meetings of the staff section held in conjunction with an NCSL meeting.

2. Keep the membership of the staff section informed of activities relating to the staff section, staff activities of NCSL, and topics of interest to members of the staff section.

3. Develop and implement seminars for members of the staff section.

4. Recommend to the membership of the staff section at the annual business meeting such action as the executive committee deems appropriate.

COMMITTEES—To assist the executive committee in the performance of its responsibilities, the chair may establish committees comprised of members of the staff section, with the approval of the executive committee.

ARTICLE III: ELECTION OF EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

NOMINATING COMMITTEE—Each year no later than 90 days prior to the NCSL Annual Meeting, the chair shall appoint a 3-member nominating committee comprised of the immediate past chair, vice-chair, and a member of the staff section not serving on the executive committee and not a candidate for election to the executive committee. The vice-chair shall serve as chair of the nominating committee. The nominating committee shall encourage members of the staff section to become candidates for the executive committee and place a notice in the RACSS newsletter regarding forthcoming vacancies. Such notice shall indicate the names of those serving on the nominating committee and shall solicit candidates for the executive committee. The nominating committee shall implement an equitable process for evaluating candidates and shall explain that process in the notice of vacancies. At the annual business meeting, the nominating committee shall present for consideration a slate of nominees for vice-chair and for vacant director positions. Additional nominations for staff section officers and directors may be made from the floor.

VACANCIES— If a vacancy occurs in the office of chair or vice-chair, the executive committee shall appoint a person to fill the vacancy for the balance of the term. If a vacancy occurs in the office of director, the chair, with the approval of the executive committee, shall appoint a member of the staff section to fill the vacancy for the balance of the term. If at the time of succession the vice-chair is unable to assume the office of chair, the nominating committee shall nominate a person to fill the office of chair. The nomination will be part of the slate of candidates presented for consideration at the annual business meeting.

ARTICLE IV: STAFF SECTION BUSINESS

ANNUAL BUSINESS MEETING—The staff section shall hold its annual business meeting in conjunction with the Annual Meeting of NCSL. The chair shall preside at the business meeting, and shall be responsible for conducting staff section business and elections.

QUORUM AND VOTING—A quorum for the transaction of business by the staff section shall comply with NCSL permanent rules applying to staff sections in effect at the time of the meeting. Legislative staff eligible for membership in the staff section shall be eligible to vote. Business which requires approval of the staff section shall require approval of a majority of staff section members attending the RACSS annual business meeting.

AMENDMENT OF BYLAWS—The members of the staff section shall be notified of proposed amendments to the staff section bylaws through the RACSS Newsletter or in a general mailing to all members on the RACSS mailing list. The notification shall be at least thirty days before the annual business meeting and shall include a copy of the current bylaws and of all proposed changes. Amendments shall be considered at the annual business meeting of the staff section. Unless otherwise stated, amendments to the bylaws shall take immediate effect.

MEETINGS AND NOTICES—The staff section shall meet as required by the staff section bylaws and at other times as determined by the chair with the approval of the executive committee of the staff section. Notice of the date, time, place, and purpose of meetings of the staff section shall be given in writing to appropriate legislative staff members at least 30 days in advance of the meeting, either through the staff section newsletter, or through a meeting announcement mailed to the appropriate members of the staff section.

NCSL ANNUAL MEETING—In accordance with NCSL permanent rules applying to staff sections, the staff section shall meet annually in conjunction with the Annual Meeting of NCSL. The staff section shall present programs for its members, in the time slots designated for staff section activities by the NCSL Executive Committee.

ADDITIONAL MEETINGS—The staff section may meet in conjunction with the meetings of the Assembly on State Issues or other meetings of NCSL, at the discretion of the chair.

SENIOR PROFESSIONAL DEVELOP-MENT SEMINAR—The staff section shall present an annual professional development seminar for senior research staff. The date, location, and agenda shall be determined by the chair, in consultation with the executive committee and staff section secretary.

STAFF SECTION NEWSLETTER—The staff section shall publish a periodic newsletter to inform members of the staff section regarding RACSS programs, meetings, publications, nominations, elections, and news about legislatures, legislative staff and NCSL, and to provide a forum for discussion of issues of interest. The chair shall be the editor of the newsletter or may designate a member of the staff section to serve a one-year term as newsletter editor.

STAFF SECTION DIRECTORY—The staff section shall publish an annual Directory of Key Research Contacts, listing the key research staff and offices in each state. One copy of the directory shall be provided to each member of the staff section.

Nominations Sought for the NCSL Executive Committee

NCSL Staff Chair Anne Walker has appointed members of the 1998 Legislative Staff Nominating Committee. During the annual meeting the committee selects a slate of candidates for NCSL Staff Vice Chair and legislative staff membership on the Executive Committee. Ten current members of the Executive Committee are eligible for nomination for another one-year term. The Legislative Staff Nominating Committee will have six vacancies to fill on the Executive Committee due to a limit of three years of service.

Legislative staff who are interested in serving on the Executive Committee should submit a letter and resume no later than July 6, 1998 to the nominating committee chair in care of NCSL, 1560 Broadway, Suite 700, Denver, CO 80202.

w Rebecca C Lennahan, Deputy Director, Legislative Legal Services, Colorado (Chair)

w Karl S. Aro, Executive Director, Department of Legislative Services, Maryland

w Jim Greenwalt, Director, Senate Information Systems, Minnesota

w Joyce Bigbee, Director, Legislative Fiscal Office, Alabama

w William Russell, Chief Counsel, Legislative Council, Vermont

w Anne Murray, Chief of Staff for the Speaker of the House, New Mexico

w Debbie Tavenner, Library Administrator, Legislative Service Commission, Ohio

w Kevin M. Ebata, House Sergeant-at-Arms, Hawaii

Senior Professional Development Seminar Update

St. Paul, Minnesota

RACSS and the Legal Services Staff Section are jointly presenting the 1998 senior Professional Development Seminar. It’s scheduled for October 8-10, 1998, in St. Paul, Minnesota.

A four-member planning committee has been working on the agenda for the seminar: Diane Bolender (IA) and Karl Aro (MD) representing RACSS, and Bob McCurley (AL) and Alice Ackerman (CO) from Legal Services. Together they have planned a varied and interesting program, featuring nationally-known speakers, interactive sessions, CLE-qualified programs and a unique opportunity to tour the facilities of West Group in Eagen, MN. West is one of the largest legal publishers in the world, and the provider of Westlaw on-line services.

More detailed information and registration materials will be provided in the seminar brochure, which will be mailed to all RACSS and LSSS members in July. Following is a preliminary agenda, with faculty shown in parentheses and CLE credits noted.

Preliminary Agenda

Thursday, October 8, 1998

Friday, October 9, 1998

Saturday, October 10, 1998

Update on Legislative Staff Coordinating Committee Activities

The Legislative Staff Coordinating Committee (LSCC) is the coordinating body for the various legislative staff activities at NCSL. The LSCC is comprised of representatives from each of the nine staff sections, as well as legislative staff who are NCSL officers, Executive Committee members, or appointed at the NCSL Staff Chair's discretion. The LSCC meets four times a year in conjunction with the NCSL Executive Committee meetings.

The three task forces established for this year met in Columbus, Ohio, at the LSCC meeting. The Outreach and External Communication Task Force's assignment is to increase awareness, understanding, and participation by legislative staff in NCSL and its staff section programs. The task force (which has representatives from each of the nine staff sections as members) has developed a plan of outreach and is working to develop new methods of external communication. Using the staff section members, the Task Force has reviewed its staff lists and updated them. It has contacted each state to determine the names and addresses of personnel officers within the legislative branch and will be contacting these personnel officers asking them to distribute to all new employees an introductory letter about NCSL and a brochure describing the opportunities for legislative staff through NCSL. The Task Force also reviewed NCSL publications that describe staff opportunities and made suggestions for improving them.

The Communication and Coordination of Professional Development Task Force's assignment is to provide oversight, communication, and evaluation of NCSL's professional development programs for legislative staff and to encourage and promote participation in these programs. This task force is coordinating the establishment of a central database to assist the various staff sections in their professional development endeavors. The database will list information about persons who have made presentations at programs and seminars offered by a staff section, including a description of their presentations and an evaluation of these presentations. The Task Force recommended that the Staff Information Booth be continued at the NCSL Annual Meeting in Las Vegas (See article on page 5 of this Newsletter) and Diane Bolender was named coordinator of the booth. The Task Force also coordinates the Legislative Staff Achievement Awards which are presented at the staff luncheon at the Annual Meeting. The Task Force asked each staff section to discuss a proposal for establishing a legislative staff exchange program in which NCSL might coordinate efforts in which legislative staff from one or more states might visit another state legislature for one or two weeks. A subtask force is reviewing professional development opportunities for senior legislative staff, including the Legislative Staff Management Institute and the Seminar for Legislative Staff Executives and will be making recommendations at the LSCC meeting in Las Vegas. Finally, the Task Force is assisting the Communication through Technology Task Force in developing its work product.

The Communication through Technology Task Force's assignment is to examine various technologies that NCSL might use to improve its communication with legislative staff and to develop a work product that communicates NCSL's services to legislators and staff. As a result of the efforts of this Task Force, the NCSL Internet home page contains a link to an LSCC home page. This home page can be accessed through the staff section link. The Task Force has been working with the Communication and Coordination of Professional Development Task Force to develop an interactive CD-ROM about NCSL and its activities. The CD-ROM will have both a legislator track and a legislative staff track and each staff section will be providing information for the CD-ROM. It is hoped that a prototype of the CD-ROM can be shown at the Annual Meeting in July and the final product can be available for distribution after the fall general elections. The Task Force is also working with NCSL staff to enhance its website to provide easier access and, with the assistance of a professional website designer, to improve the organization of the information on the NCSL website. The Task Force has also been discussing issues relating to public and private access to information on the staff sections' home-pages and will solicit input from each staff section.

The task forces will hold their final meetings of the year and make their reports to the LSCC at the Annual Meeting in Las Vegas in July.

Regional News

Following are reports of activities in staff offices and state legislatures. Thank you to our state contacts and regional coordinators for providing these reports. If you’d like to write about events in your office or legislature, please contact your regional coordinator:

w New England: Cora Chua (860) 240-0075

w Mid-Atlantic: David Sallach (609) 984-0231

w South: Dianna McClure (502) 564-8100

w Great Lakes: David Lovell (608) 266-1537

w South Central: Willa Black Sanders (501) 682-1937

w Northern Plains: David Ortbahn (605) 773-3251

w Mountain: David Hite (303) 866-3521

w West: Anne Tweedt (503) 986-1496

Connecticut—General Assembly Raises Speed Limits, Minimum Wage, and Salaries

New Hampshire—Interim Work For The New Hampshire Legislature

Maryland—Staff Working on Legislative Handbook Series

New Jersey—Legislature Seeks New Partnerships with Academic Institutions

Pennsylvania—Pennsylvania Has a Busy Spring

Virginia—Tax Relief Passed

Tennessee—Upgrades to Technology Benefit Staff and Members

Indiana—Session Wrap-Up and Staff Management Changes

Michigan—An Update On Michigan's Experience With Term Limits

Wisconsin—Special And Extraordinary Sessions Follow Wisconsin’s Regular Session

Arkansas—Legislature Responds to Tragic School Shooting

Arkansas—Revising the Arkansas Administrative Procedure Act

Kansas—Swine Facilities, Abortion and Taxes Top Legislative Agenda

Missouri—Research Offices Get a New Look

Oklahoma—Members Limited to Eight Bill Introductions

Iowa—Interim Studies, Special Session and Capitol Renovation

Nebraska—Special Session on School Funding

South Dakota—Six Interim Study Committees Established

Colorado—Legislative Council Staff Inform the Voters

Idaho—Six Interim Study Committees Will Keep Staff Busy

New Mexico—Special Session Needed to Address Funding Issues

Utah—Airport Funding and Professional Licensing Task Forces Created

Nevada—Interim Activities of the Nevada Legislature

Washington—Legislature Establishes Educational Telecommunications Network

Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont
Coordinator: Cora Chua, Connecticut

Connecticut—General Assembly Raises Speed Limits, Minimum Wage, and Salaries
By Mary Janicki
The General Assembly ended its regular session May 6 after passing a number of major initiatives. In light of a $500 million state budget surplus, the legislature and Governor John Rowland agreed on a tax rebate program ($150 to families, $120 for heads of households, and $75 for single tax filers); a $448 million bond allocation for large-scale development projects in Hartford, Bridgeport, and New Haven; a $20 million grant program to improve reading skills for children aged five through eight; and a $30 million bond authorization to buy and protect forests and farmland for open space.

Bipartisan support also let to passage of electric industry restructuring legislation that will lower electricity rates by 10% from 1996 levels and provide a choice of suppliers for businesses and consumers beginning in 2000.

Legislators also raised the speed limit to 65 mph on some state highways, raised the minimum wage by 97 cents over two years to $6.15, and prohibited state political parties from taking so-called "soft money" contributions from national party committees. They increased the salaries of statewide elected officials, other than the governor, and of members of the General Assembly. Rank and file legislators’ salaries, which had not been changed since 1990, will go from $16,700 to $21,788 after the next election.

Legislation that died included an effort to lower the legal limit for drunken driving from 0.10 percent blood-alcohol content to 0.08, a 49 cent tax increase on a pack of cigarettes, and a requirement that insurers cover prescription birth control.

New Hampshire—Interim Work For The New Hampshire Legislature
By Richard Amidon
House Bill 1663, proposing major changes in the administrative rules process, was referred by the House to interim study. This bill would transfer from the legislature to the executive branch all rulemaking functions that are non-oversight in nature including rule drafting training, filing, publishing, and public notification. The joint legislative committee on administrative rules would retain the oversight function and statutory review. It is expected that this bill will be re-introduced early in the 1999 session. Work is expected to continue well into the interim period on finding a public school funding solution and an acceptable definition of educational adequacy in answer to a decision passed down by the New Hampshire Supreme Court. This decision cited constitutional problems with present public school funding which is largely dependent on local property taxes. House Bill 1075, a compromise bill agreed to by the Governor and the Speaker of the House and passed by the House, is presently in the Senate where it is awaiting a Supreme Court answer to constitutional questions posed by the Senate. The court decision gave an April, 1999 deadline for implementing an acceptable solution.

Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia
Coordinator: David Sallach, New Jersey

Maryland—Staff Working on Legislative Handbook Series
By Karl Aro
Traditionally, election years have been slow for legislative staff, as members of the General Assembly are occupied primarily with campaign matters. However, this election year is shaping up as one in which the staff will be very busy.

The Department of Legislative Services’ Office of Policy Analysis will be staffing five task forces. Three of the task forces result from legislation enacted during the 1998 Session: the Special Study Commission on Maryland Public Ethics Law; the Task Force to Study the Governance, Coordination, and Funding of the University System of Maryland; and the Task Force on Public Charter Schools. Two task forces are continuing from 1997: the Task Force to Study Retail Electric Competition and the Restructuring of the Electric Utility Industry; and the Task Force on Education Funding Equity, Accountability, and Partnerships.

Additionally, the Department has been directed to conduct studies on the direct shipment of alcoholic beverages to consumers, the "work, not welfare" tax credit, sheriffs’ fees, and aspects of the Children and Families First Health Care Act of 1998 (the state program implementing the federal children’s health program (CHP)).

The sunset review process cycle is also beginning. Preliminary reviews are scheduled for 10 agencies, including the Racing Commission, Home Improvement Commission, Tobacco Authority, and the Cosmetologists Board. Full evaluations are scheduled for the State Board of Law Examiners and the State Board of Dental Examiners.

Every four years the Department produces a legislative handbook series. This eight volume set provides legislators with information on various aspects of state government, including the budget process, business regulation, state personnel and pensions, and the state’s revenue structure. It will be revised during this interim in preparation for the new term.

Besides the usual legislative work relating to bill drafting, budget analysis, and policy issues, other projects include the Four Year Report (an overview of the significant legislation of the past term), a Tax Guide, a report on local government finances, and the report on the fiscal effects of the 1998 legislative program.

New Jersey—Legislature Seeks New Partnerships with Academic Institutions
By Laurence Gurman
The New Jersey Legislature has established a Council of Academic Policy Advisors for the current 1998-99 legislative session. The creation of the Council followed the adoption by the Legislative Services Commission of a report written by Dr. Alan Rosenthal of the Eagleton Institute of Politics, Rutgers-The State University of New Jersey, which recommended the creation of such a Council. The establishment of this Council is the result of a decision by the Legislature to seek a new partnership with New Jersey's colleges and universities to bring academic expertise more to bear on the deliberations of the Legislature.

Appointments to the Council were made on a bipartisan basis by the four Legislative Leaders: the President and Minority Leader of the Senate and the Speaker and Minority Leader of the General Assembly. The Legislative Leaders wrote to the Presidents of the major colleges and universities in New Jersey asking them to recommend academic faculty to serve on the Council of Academic Policy Advisors. As a result, 168 academic experts were nominated. After considerable review, on January 26, 1998, the Legislative Leaders offered appointments to 57 academicians from 18 universities and colleges to cover 50 policy areas. The experts and scholars selected have backgrounds in diverse fields such as criminal justice, education, environment, health, housing, gambling, public utilities deregulation, ethics and conflicts of interest, urban issues, export promotion, gerontology, open space preservation, land use, job training, telecommunications and local government.

The members of the Council are expected to be available to legislators and the legislative staffs to assist in considering problems, obtaining pertinent data and information, and analyzing issues and possible solutions. Participation may include consulting with legislators and legislative staff in person and by phone, and attending briefings of legislators and legislative staff on issues of concern to the Legislature in the Council member's area of expertise. These advisors can also serve as representatives of larger scholarly networks to provide additional sources of information within their policy areas. It is expected that the Council will serve as a mechanism by which legislators and staff will have ready access to academic expertise to enhance the lawmaking process.

Many Council members attended one of two day-long orientation sessions conducted by legislative staff in April. The program was designed to provide the academicians with information about the Legislature in New Jersey and the nature of the legislative process. Panels focused on various issues such as the role of the Academic Advisors in the legislative arena, the functioning of committees, the operations of legislative staff agencies, the participants in the process including interest group and constituents, and the significance of the separation of powers in the decision making process. In addition, members of the Council and legislative staff members who work in the same areas had the opportunity to meet each other and discuss issues of mutual interest and concern.

Pennsylvania—Pennsylvania Has a Busy Spring
By Mike Gasbarre
Even though only two weeks in June remain in the legislative session prior to summer recess, the Pennsylvania General Assembly has had a very busy Spring. In the last edition of the RACSS newsletter, it was reported that the Legislature was considering local tax reform. With unusual expediency, Pennsylvania school districts now will have the option, with voter approval, of levying an earned income and net profits tax of up to 1.5% in return for elimination of so-called nuisance taxes and a reduction of residential and farmstead real estate taxes in an amount not greater than one-half the medium assessed value of such property in the school district. The statute enacting school district tax reform also provides for a Local Taxpayer Bill of Rights, a Real Estate Tax Deferral Program, and the Homestead Property Exclusion for political subdivisions.

The General Assembly has also provided greater access to legislative documents through the Internet by amending a statute which established the bicameral and bipartisan Legislative Data Processing Committee. Among other things, Act 55 of 1998 will allow the Committee to establish a procedure to provide access of legislative information generated by the Committee to the public.

As a result of a healthy economy, on April 22, 1998, the state budget for FY 1998-1999 was signed into law, one of the earliest dates ever noted. Pennsylvania's next fiscal year commences on July 1, 1998. In other fiscal matters, the Legislature also deleted the sales tax on items sold from vending machines, eliminated the state personal income tax on persons who make a profit from selling their homes, raised the eligibility income limits for claimants who qualify for personal income tax forgiveness due to poverty, and reduced the capital stock and franchise tax rate by .76 mills.

When the Legislature reconvenes for the first two weeks of June, it is expected to tackle a series of crime fighting quality of life proposals and legislation providing for the Keystone Opportunity Zones to foster economic development.

Virginia—Tax Relief Passed
By John Garka
The 1997 Gubernatorial election in Virginia had one major issue—the repeal of the Virginia car tax. Could Virginia afford to pay the tangible personal property tax for taxpayers to localities while providing increased funding for elementary, secondary, and higher education, and its previous commitments, while maintaining its AAA bond rating? The Constitution of Virginia has segregated the real and personal property tax for local taxation only. The Tangible Personal Property Tax is imposed on cars, trucks, boats and business personal property. It is the second largest source of tax revenue for Virginia’s localities and makes up approximately 15% of total local tax revenue in Virginia.

The 1998 session of the Virginia General Assembly has passed a five-year plan to eliminate the Tangible Personal Property Tax on all personally owned vehicles that are valued at $20,000 or less. Technically, the tax is not eliminated but rather the state will reimburse localities for the tax they impose on these vehicles up to the first $20,000 of value, multiplied by the locality’s effective tax rate on August 1, 1997. Additionally, should a locality increase its tax rate above the August 1, 1997 effective rate, the taxpayer will have to pay the difference between the higher rate and the rate as of the effective date, even if the vehicle is valued at less than $20,000. If a vehicle is valued at an amount in excess of $20,000, the tax relief will be applied to the first $20,000 and the taxpayer will pay the remaining tax to the locality. There is no limit on the number of vehicles a taxpayer can own and qualify for the tax relief. The five-year phase-out period reimburses 12.5% in 1998, 27.5% in 1999, 47.5% in 2000, and 100% in 2001 and 2002.

For example, in the first year (the current 1998 tax year) the Commonwealth will pay 12.5% of the personal property tax for the personally owned vehicle. However, for those vehicles which are assessed at $1,000 or less, the Commonwealth will reimburse the taxpayer for the entire tax beginning in the first year. In the first year, the Commonwealth will reimburse the taxpayer directly since the administrative machinery could not be implemented in time for the first June payment. In future years the tax will actually be paid by the Commonwealth to the locality.

The cost to the Commonwealth of providing this tax relief for the first two years is approximately $480 million. The approximate amount of tax relief annually when fully phased in will be $1.1 billion. One of the major stumbling blocks to the legislation was whether the Commonwealth could afford this magnitude of tax relief while maintaining its conservative financial policy and AAA bond ratings. In an effort to provide the tax relief while accounting for the risk of a significant downturn in economic activity, there are a few conditions in the phase-in period. The phase-in will continue provided that General Fund revenues will grow at least 5% annually (current growth is in excess of 10% annually) and provided that the total cost of this tax relief cannot exceed 8.5% of total General Fund revenues. Finally, the state’s reimbursement amount will equal the local tax rates as of August 1, 1997. Localities are free to increase their tax rates on vehicles in excess of the tax rates that existed on such date but the Commonwealth will not pay this amount.

In addition to passing this largest tax relief plan ever in Virginia, the General Assembly maintained its constitutionally required "rainy day" fund, which currently has a balance of $164 million. All this was possible, due in large part to the robust economic growth that Virginia is currently experiencing. Revenues last year grew at a level of 8.1 % and are estimated to continue to grow this year at a level in excess of 10%.

Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee
Coordinator: Dianna McClure, Kentucky

Tennessee—Upgrades to Technology Benefit Staff and Members
By Brian Dauer
The historic 100^th General Assembly came to a close Friday, May 1^st. Because this is an election year for all House members and half of the Senators, most legislators have returned to their home districts to begin preparing for the election. However, there will be a number of study committees that will meet throughout the summer and fall.

The General Assembly made a concerted effort this year to limit the number of study committees conducting business. In past years, the proliferation of study committees generated criticism and often created logistical problems. With fewer committees, conflicts will be minimal and issues will receive closer scrutiny. Issues that study committees will examine this summer in the interim include: Tennessee’s bail bond system, the admission and retention of students in public schools, technologically advanced traffic control systems, integrating ex-offenders into mainstream society, highway safety, and Ritalin usage among children. In addition to the study committees, the Speaker of the House also appointed two ad hoc committees to investigate school violence and the collection of child support payments. Standing House subcommittees will explore other issues not addressed by study committees.

The interim also promises technological advances for the legislature and its staff. Money was appropriated in the budget this year for laptop computers for all senators and representatives. This will enable members to have access to all pertinent legislative information on the House and Senate floors. In addition, all legislative staff, including researchers, will receive new or upgraded computers with seven to twenty times the current capacity. Network administrators report that by January 1999, legislators and staff will have the capability to have remote access to the network and e-mail systems. The development of a legislative intranet with access to bill tracking, calendars, forms, and directories promises to improve the speed and efficiency of the current system.

T Great Lakes Region

Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Wisconsin
Coordinator: David Lovell, Wisconsin

Indiana—Session Wrap-Up and Staff Management Changes
By John Rowings
The 1998 session of the Indiana General Assembly adjourned in late February. The bills that were adopted included several measures dealing with children’s issues. A children’s health insurance program (CHIP) was established to extend Medicaid coverage to thousands of previously ineligible children. Adoption and foster care statutes were amended in order to reduce the time that abused and neglected children spend in foster care. Motor vehicle provisions were amended to require all children under twelve years of age to wear a seat belt or be placed in a safety seat. New restrictions were imposed on driver’s licenses issued to persons under eighteen years of age.

Other issues that were addressed include an increase in the statutory cap on medical malpractice awards, a pay raise for statewide elected officials (which does not apply to legislators), and new restrictions on telecommunications providers who want to switch services for customers.

Although a variety of tax cut proposals were discussed throughout the session, legislators could not agree on how to return a portion of the state’s $1.6 billion dollar surplus to taxpayers. The Governor has appointed a Citizen’s Tax Commission to make recommendations concerning a general restructuring of Indiana’s tax statutes. The Commission is scheduled to release its recommendations this fall, and it is anticipated that tax restructuring will be the major issue of the 1999 session (along with adoption of the biennial budget). Other proposals that failed during the 1998 session included an increase in the interstate speed limit to 70 miles per hour, a reduction in the blood alcohol level at which drivers are considered drunk, a requirement that students maintain a C average to receive a driver’s license or participate in extra-curricular activities, a requirement that students in certain cities wear uniforms to school, and a package of anti-tobacco bills (including a ban on cigarette vending machines). Another failed proposal would have punished professional sports teams that attempted to leave the state after accepting public subsidies.

The legislative leadership has established five temporary study committees to conduct hearings this summer and fall. The committees will examine issues relating to education (kindergarten, special education, student remediation, and deregulation), health (narrow therapeutic index drugs, use of powdered latex drugs by health care providers, hospice issues, narcotic treatment centers, and state employee health insurance), state government (access to public records and creation of a state department of heritage), local government (state and local property lines, volunteer firefighters and emergency services, and public-private transportation agreements), and family law (regulation of child care). Several other study topics have also been assigned to permanent statutory study commissions. These topics include a study of the bail bond system, an evaluation of the need for oversight of nonprofit hospital sales or mergers, and a study of the treatment of mentally ill offenders in state correctional facilities.

George Angelone is the new deputy director of the Office of Bill Drafting and Research, and Doug Masson has left the Office of Bill Drafting and Research to become a deputy director in the Office of Code Revision.

Michigan—An Update On Michigan's Experience With Term Limits
By Dianne Odrobina
The Michigan Legislature and staff are getting their first real taste of term limits as 64 of the 110 members of the Michigan House of Representatives are prevented from running again for their seats this year. On May 14, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit affirmed the decision of a federal district court upholding term limits. Also this Spring, a Wayne County Circuit Court judge's ruling paralleled the federal decision. As the legal challenges to term limits in state and federal courts have been unsuccessful (so far) and the filing deadline has passed, there is a growing sense of resignation to the reality of term limits. The State Senate has one more four-year term before any senators are precluded from running again due to term limits. With representatives serving two-year terms, the House will be facing its third election cycle in the era of term limits when the Senate gets its first taste in 2002.

The questions surrounding term limits are many and obvious from the existing literature. We can speculate and disagree about what the not-so-distant future holds but until we live through the experience, there are no real answers. We will keep you apprised as we learn the consequences of term limits in Michigan, and we eagerly await information from our colleagues in different states who face this same fate. For more information contact Dianne Odrobina at (517) 373-0212 or e-mail dodrobina@lsb.state.mi.us. Update: As of the last week of May, the Michigan Supreme Court ruled that Proposal B of 1992 (establishing lifetime term limits) was valid.

Wisconsin—Special And Extraordinary Sessions Follow Wisconsin’s Regular Session
By David Lovell
The conclusion of the 1997-98 legislative season has been anything but ordinary this spring, due to changes in the leadership of the Senate. At the beginning of the session, the Republican caucus controlled the Assembly and the Democratic caucus held a one-seat majority in the Senate. When a Democratic senator resigned at the end of 1997 to take a federal judgeship, the Senate was tied but continued to operate under the existing Democratic leadership. In April, shortly after the close of the regular session, the Republican caucus gained control of the Senate when it picked up the open seat in a special election. The Legislature then called itself into extraordinary session to take up a list of 109 bills and seven joint resolutions that had failed to pass during the regular session, including an omnibus budget adjustment bill.

The Governor called a special session, running concurrently with the extraordinary session, to take up an additional eight bills. Over the next month, the Legislature passed 93 of the bills and all seven of the joint resolutions revived for the extraordinary session and five of the Governor's special session bills. Two major special session bills, relating to campaign financing and governance of the Milwaukee Public Schools, proved to be too controversial for the Legislature to be able to come to agreement over with the time and energy that was left at the end of this unusually drawn out session.

As we enter the campaign season leading to the November elections, 13 current members have announced that they are either resigning their seats or are not seeking reelection; according to the ever-churning rumor mill, this number could rise as high as 20. Two other members resigned their seats during the session to take other positions, bringing to 15 (or possibly 22) the number of the 132 members originally seated in the 1997-98 Legislature who will not return in the next session. As a result, without considering incumbents who will fail to win reelection, it is apparent that there will be a turnover of more than ten percent, and possibly 15% of the seats in the Wisconsin Legislature this year.

We are also entering the interim study period, when special committees are appointed by the Joint Legislative Council to study selected topics and prepare recommendations on those topics for the following Legislature. It is too early to make predictions about the studies that will be conducted this interim, but it is probably safe to say that, with the extended session this year, they will not get an early start.

If you want more information about the Wisconsin Legislature and its recently ended session, visit the Wisconsin Legislative Spotlight at http://www.legis.state.wi.us/spotlight/spotl.html. For information about interim study committees, as they are created, visit the Legislative Council page at http://www.legis.state.wi.us/lc/index.html.

R South Central Region

Arkansas, Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri, Oklahoma, Texas
Coordinator: Willa Black Sanders, Arkansas

Arkansas—Legislature Responds to Tragic School Shooting
By Tony R. Minicozzi, Jr.
Headlines over the recent shootings on the school campuses in more than half a dozen states have sent Arkansas lawmakers into action. This is especially true since one of those tragedies occurred at Westside Junior High School in Jonesboro, Arkansas.

Over the past several months the Safe Schools Committee, composed of representatives from the Department of Education, school administrators, teachers, legislators and others, have been meeting to consider solutions to this complex and horrific problem. The Safe Schools Committee is expected to issue a report with specific recommendations by early August of this year.

Meanwhile, formal legislative hearings will be conducted throughout the summer and fall by the House Judiciary Committee, the Joint Committee for Children and Youth, the House and Senate Education Committees.

Though not all tragedies are preventable, there seem to be clear warning signs that may go a long way toward heading off future disasters. The solutions are likely to include a variety of approaches that could include improvements in the Juvenile Justice System, alternative learning programs for at-risk youth, reformed student discipline policies, improved student services (such as better access to guidance counselors), crisis management plans, and more.

It is clear that the January 1999 Regular Legislative Session of the Arkansas General Assembly will do all it can to better ensure safe schools in Arkansas.

Arkansas—Revising the Arkansas Administrative Procedure Act
By Donna Davis
Arkansas’ Administrative Procedure Act was enacted in 1967, and it was modeled after the model act developed by the Uniform State Laws Commission at that time. State agency rules and regulations are currently not codified, and the process is very cumbersome for the public to review either a proposed regulation or an existing regulation. The process for agency promulgation has become unwieldy and outdated.

To begin a study of the problem, a concurrent resolution requested the Arkansas Bar Association to conduct a study of the Arkansas Administrative Procedure Act and to make recommendations on the needed revisions. A committee, consisting of members of the Arkansas Bar Association, Governor’s Office, legislators, and state agencies, has begun to develop a proposal. The committee is using the latest model of the Administrative Procedure Act developed by the Uniform State Laws Commission as a base, and they are incorporating progressive provisions of Iowa’s Administrative Procedure Act. Their goal is to have uniform and simplified procedures that would apply to all agencies with rule-making authority and to have codified rules on the Internet. The committee is expected to report by September 1, 1998.

Kansas—Swine Facilities, Abortion and Taxes Top Legislative Agenda
By William G. Wolff
The Kansas Legislature adjourned Sine Die on May 26, 1998. Assessment of topics for interim study and creation of interim committees is under way. Joint Committees with particular statutory responsibilities are planning their schedules. Updating information on the 1998 Session, three issues proved of major concern: confined swine feeding; abortion; and tax reductions.

Swine Facility Regulation—Sub. for H.B. 2950, among other things, establishes new conditions and requirements with respect to the regulation of confined swine feeding facilities to be administered, for the most part, by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE). The major features of the bill address: separation distances from habitable structures, parks, and sources of surface water and groundwater; notification of the public when swine facilities are built or expanded; requirements for operators to have manure management plans, nutrient utilization plans which include requirements for soil testing, operator training and certification, emergency response plans, record maintenance, odor control plans, facility and lagoon closure plans; dead swine disposal plans; special lagoon liner construction techniques, including the use of impermeable liners, under certain conditions; inspections of swine facilities; authority to require groundwater monitoring around swine facilities; installation of vegetative screening; authority to deny permits based on the actions of the permit applicant holder in other states or of the United States; provisions for tax credits for certain "qualified" facilities; scientific studies to be conducted by Kansas State University; creation of an advisory committee to advise the Secretary of KDHE; authority for the Secretary to implement more stringent standards; composting of dead swine as a means of disposal; and prohibition of the use of certain economic development incentives for certain operators of swine facilities.

Abortion—H.B. 2531 amends the law regarding post-viability abortions and prohibits partial birth abortions except in very limited circumstances. The bill adds a new definition of "viable" to apply only to post-viability abortions to include "that stage of fetal development when it is the physician's judgment according to accepted obstetrical or neonatal standards of care and practice applied by physicians in the same or similar circumstances that there is a reasonable probability that the life of the child can be continued indefinitely outside the mother's womb with natural or artificial life-supportive measures." It also replaces the existing fetal abnormality exception to the post-viability abortion prohibition with an exception that allows a post-viability abortion if "continuation of the pregnancy will cause a substantial and irreversible impairment of a major bodily function of the pregnant woman."

In regard to partial birth abortions, the bill prohibits the use of partial birth abortion procedures on a viable fetus unless the woman has a referral from another doctor and both doctors determine that the abortion procedure is necessary to preserve the woman’s life or a continuation of the pregnancy will cause a substantial and irreversible impairment of a major physical or mental function of the woman. Women upon whom an abortion is performed may not be prosecuted for conspiracy to violate the partial birth abortion law.

Kansas Tax Reduction and Reform Act of 1998—S.B. 493, the Kansas Tax Reduction and Reform Act of 1998, reduces a number of Kansas taxes. The inheritance tax is repealed in favor of a "pick up" estate tax. The individual income tax is reduced by accelerating a reduction in the tax rates for single taxpayers (the rates were being reduced but were not scheduled to be fully reduced until tax year 2000); by allowing a refundable earned income tax credit equal to 10 percent of the amounts claimed under the federal program; by increasing the personal exemption; by increasing the standard deduction amounts for married and head of household taxpayers; and by increasing the additional standard deduction amounts allowed the elderly and blind. An income tax credit is allowed for 15 percent of property taxes timely paid on commercial and industrial machinery and equipment (including such property owned by not-for-profit entities). The levy for school district general funds is reduced from 27 to 20 mills, and the $20,000 exemption from this levy for residential property was extended through 1999. Several sales tax exemptions are added or expanded, including purchases of religious organizations to be used exclusively for religious purposes, machinery and equipment and electricity for use in broadcasting, sales by boy and girl scouts and similar organizations, sales by parent-teacher organizations, fees for certain youth sports and recreational activities; sales of food by certain food bank organizations; certain veteran’s organization dues; and labor services used in the remodeling of a residence. Severance and property tax exemptions for oil and gas producers are liberalized. The food sales tax rebate is expanded significantly and will be available as a refundable credit on individual income tax returns. The bill is expected to decrease taxes by approximately $247 million in fiscal year 1999 and $319 million in fiscal year 2000.

Missouri—Research Offices Get a New Look
By B. Darrell Jackson
Unless acts of God or the state supreme court intervene, there is not likely to be a special session for the Missouri Legislature in 1998 (there were two in 1997). So the main work of the House Research Staff this summer and fall will be providing support for interim committees. To date we know of a joint committee on aging that has been established by concurrent resolution. Other committees will be established by the leaders of the House and Senate.

Internally, the Research Staff faces the perennial issue of updating of computer hardware and software. We have the computing capabilities that we need, but like everyone else must attempt to anticipate the demands of growing networks and new software. Our office space will be undergoing some physical renovation. Thankfully, carpets last longer than computers, but eventually they must be replaced. The challenge will be to choose a color that will carry us as well into the next century (in this office it begins January 1, 2001), as our late seventies dark orange carpet carried us almost through the rest of this one.

Oklahoma—Members Limited to Eight Bill Introductions
By George Humphreys
The Oklahoma Legislature finished its regular session May 29. Most of the important items of business were addressed before adjournment, with the notable exception of crime legislation. Truth-in-sentencing and community corrections acts were enacted in 1997 and scheduled to take effect July 1, 1998.

Prior to the start of the 1998 session, crime victims groups, district attorneys, and county sheriffs argued strongly for further reforms, mainly to develop tougher crime sentences. Both parties in the House and the Governor tried to respond to these demands which, of course, raised the future corrections costs. Key senators objected to the costs and a compromise could not be rejected. A bill to delay implementation of the reforms by one year to allow further negotiations was considered on the last day, but the Senate ran out of time before it could pass the delay bill. As a result, the Governor has called the Legislature into special session for June 15. If all parties can agree on a simple delay, the special session should only take five days.

Two interesting changes in legislative rules occurred this past year. The House adopted an eight bill introduction limit per member in each session. Exceptions for a number of bills, such as appropriation and sunset bills are provided and the Speaker can authorize additional introductions. Second, the Legislature made an initial step

towards deadline simplification. In the late 1980s, a deadline for submitting conference committee reports was added to other deadlines as a way to eliminate last minute rushes to pass legislation. It did not take long to find a way to comply with the letter of the rule, but the spirit was frequently violated by filing reports with no intention of seeking floor passage of those reports. This deadline was replaced with a simple deadline by which members had to request conference. This change reduced the number of conference reports and wasted time members and staff had to devote to compliance with the old rule.

Interim work is off to somewhat of a slow start. Considering that enactment of hog and poultry legislation were major accomplishments of the session, it is reasonable to expect considerable effort will be spent in overseeing the implementation of the bills. Oklahoma is reported as perhaps the first state to enact comprehensive poultry regulation. An interim committee has been created to examine nutrient discharges into the state's water systems and alternative methods for control of the discharges.

The executive and legislative branches will be working together during the interim to collaborate on a compensation and classification reform program for the state's merit system. Implementation of the reforms is expected to reduce the number of job classes, adopt a broad banding system, improve performance appraisal, and adopt performance pay for the first time in the state's history.

Legislative staff will be testing the new windows-based information system that is expected to be installed for the 1999 session. If all goes well, the system should be made available on the web.

K Northern Plains Region

Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota
Coordinator: David Ortbahn, South Dakota

Iowa—Interim Studies, Special Session and Capitol Renovation
By John Pollak
Interim Studies: Two-year studies of state and local taxation and of land use issues will be completed during the 1998 legislative interim. Both of these studies include many members of the general public and numerous subcommittees. In addition, a study of Iowa's school finance funding formula has been approved and Legislative Service Bureau support is being provided for a conference on Iowa's unique land form, the loess hills. It is anticipated that other legislative studies will be approved in late June.

Special Session: The primary election for the office of governor and other elected officials on June 2 has garnered attention but discussions about a special legislative session continue. The governor vetoed significant portions of a school reform package and has stated an interest in calling a special legislative session to revisit this issue. As of June 1, an agreement between the governor and legislative leaders to resolve the issue has not been reached.

Capitol Renovation: Increased funding has accelerated the pace of renovating Iowa's centenarian Capitol building. Legislative, executive, and judicial branch staff have moved to temporary quarters in meeting rooms and in nearby buildings while office areas are renovated. The scaffolding covers large portions of the exterior and a indoor scaffold tower begins in the basement and extends upward through the openings in each floor to the ceiling of the rotunda. Construction activities are expected to continue for the next few years, with major projects, such as a new judicial building, under consideration.

Nebraska—Special Session on School Funding
By Cynthia Johnson
On the heels of the April 14, 1998, adjournment of the Ninety-Fifth Legislature, lawmakers were called back for a special session by Governor E. Benjamin Nelson. The week-long special session commenced May 13, 1998.

At issue was an education measure, LB 1175, which was passed by the Legislature on the last day of the regular session and later vetoed by the Governor. LB 1175, an Education Committee priority bill, started out as a measure that proposed a variety of generally non-controversial, but necessary, changes to Nebraska's education statutes. During the course of debate, provisions of 13 other bills were amended into LB 1175.

Of particular note was an amendment that would have changed the process to be used in calculating the level of appropriation necessary to fund state aid to schools. Current law directs the Legislative Fiscal Office to prepare an estimate of the necessary appropriation level. The amendment would have placed in statute a formula to be used from year to year in making the determination.

Supporters of the amendment believed it was a necessary expression of the Legislature's intent to adequately fund schools in light of possible funding shortfalls in 2001 when the second of two property tax caps enacted by the Legislature in 1996 (LB 1114) is scheduled to take effect. Opponents of the measure feared that it would obligate the state to provide an estimated $70 million in additional state aid to schools to fill the possible funding gap.

LB1175, including the funding formula, was passed by the Legislature and subsequently vetoed by the Governor. The gubernatorial veto also nullified other provisions of LB 1175, many of which were deemed necessary by the bill's supporters, including special education funding measures and needed corrections to Nebraska's school finance laws.

Following a lobbying effort by the bill's supporters, the Governor called the special session to reenact the provisions of LB 1175, absent the funding formula provision. The special session legislation, LB 1, passed without fanfare. The conclusion of the special session on May 20, 1998, also brought to an end the legislative careers of six state senators. The departure of the senators, including three committee chairpersons, guarantees that the 49-member Nebraska Legislature will have a distinctly different look in 1999.

South Dakota—Six Interim Study Committees Established
By David Ortbahn
This summer the research staff of the Legislative Research Council will be assisting six interim legislative committees. The committees are the Gaming Study Committee, the Education Committee, the Health and Human Services Committee, the Judiciary Committee, the Taxation Committee, and the Transportation Committee. The Gaming Study Committee was mandated by the 1998 Legislature. The Executive Board of the Legislative Research Council established the other five interim committees. The interim committees will meet a maximum of five days during the interim and will make their final reports in December.

The Gaming Study Committee was directed by the Legislature to study gaming in the state and to study the effects of a repeal of video lottery. The committee has retained the professional

services of Deloitte & Touche LLP of Chicago, Illinois to collect empirical data and information on the economic and social effects all forms of gaming have had on the state and its citizens. Deloitte & Touche LLP will report its findings to the committee in December.

The Education Committee was appointed to study the possibility of allowing public education through charter schools. The committee will also review driver's education programs and is directed to identify funding alternatives for implementing a statewide driver's education program.

The Health and Human Services Committee will take a look at consumer protection for members of managed health care plans. Another task of the committee is a study of the practice of midwifery by persons other than certified nurse midwives.

The Judiciary Committee was directed to study the cost effectiveness of various sentencing options, including treatment and intervention as an alternative to incarceration. The committee will also study the manner in which indigent defendants in criminal cases are presently being provided court-appointed counsel and court-appointed experts to assist them in their defense.

The Taxation Committee will review the procedures and appeals used in the assessment of property for taxation purposes in this state and in other states. The committee was also directed to study the uniformity of real estate taxes and assessments across the state.

The Transportation Committee will assess the conditions of state and local highways and examine the sources of revenues for highway maintenance and construction. The committee has been directed to consider the reallocation of existing funding sources and alternatives for additional funding sources.

Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico, Utah, Wyoming
Coordinator: David Hite, Colorado

Colorado—Legislative Council Staff Inform the Voters
By David Hite
Staff involvement in Colorado’s initiative process, a time consuming activity In addition to staffing several interim study committees, Colorado's Legislative Council Staff has an active and time consuming responsibility in the analysis and publication of initiatives appearing on the November general election ballot. Staff involvement grows each year as usage of the voter initiative as a means of changing provisions of a state's constitution or statutes is gaining in usage in Colorado. At the present rate, with the 1998 general election remaining, it is likely that the number of initiatives for the 1990s will at least equal the number from the 1970s and 1980s combined.

Information booklets prepared by Legislative Council staff are mailed to each voter household in the state. Unlike states where pro and con arguments are placed verbatim in the information booklet, staff in Colorado present the proponents' and opponents' arguments in the staff's own words, thus hopefully omitting inflammatory and untrue remarks. Staff also write background information and summarize the major provisions of each referred measure.

Idaho—Six Interim Study Committees Will Keep Staff Busy
By Mike McConnell
This year the Idaho Legislature authorized six interim study committees. The committee studying electric utility deregulation began in 1997 and continues this year. Idaho lawmakers are moving cautiously on this issue in an effort to maintain access to some of the least expensive power rates in the country. The other five committees authorized for this year are: (1) a committee to study property tax exemptions granted to charitable organizations and non-profit hospitals to determine whether the exemptions are appropriate; (2) a committee to study the existing revenue sharing system between the state and cities, counties and other special districts in Idaho. The existing system is a hodgepodge of revenue sharing mechanisms, some of which were adopted in the late 1960's and which were intended as merely temporary measures; (3) a committee to study Idaho statutes, rules, ordinances that impose a burden on private property rights but which do not rise to the level of constitutional "takings." Also, this committee will review two bills from the 1998 Idaho Legislature addressing the takings issues; (4) a committee to study whether the Division of Environmental Quality, which is currently within the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare, should become a separate department in the executive branch; and (5) a committee to study Idaho’s alcoholic beverage statutes and rules to determine how to simplify the regulatory framework and whether re-drafting would eliminate some of the confusion caused by the existing statutes and rules. The committee will examine how the alcoholic beverage laws have created an economic special interest group in the license holders and whether the state operated liquor dispensary system should be operated privately.

New Mexico—Special Session Needed to Address Funding Issues
By John Yaeger
The New Mexico legislature adjourned its regular 30-day session in Mid-February amidst some disagreement with the executive. The governor twice vetoed appropriations for interim committee funding, the legislature failed to authorize budget flexibility for state agencies and the two branches differed on the fundamental question of how much revenue would be generated from gambling.

The governor called a special session at the end of April to address what he said would be routine budget matters-primarily approval of the budget flexibility measure sought by state agencies and supplemental and deficiency appropriations for the current fiscal year. Lawmakers and the governor ultimately agreed to restore funding for about $17 million worth of programs previously vetoed by the governor, limited budget flexibility and supplemental and deficiency appropriations for state agencies and well as funding for interim committees and a leadership staff pilot project.

The most significant actions, however, were the legislature's approval of three variations of legislation to prohibit the sale of alcohol through drive-up windows (the governor signed the one that simply closes all the windows this summer) and the legislature's first override of a governor's veto since 1970.

Interim activities will likely focus on corrections, welfare reform, children's health care, education, state finances, and utility deregulation.

Utah—Airport Funding and Professional Licensing Task Forces Created
By Connie Steffen
Two new task forces have been created to address airport funding and professional licensure issues. Small commercial and general aviation airports lack sufficient operating revenue to maintain or improve facilities. The Local Airport Funding Task Force will explore how to provide financial assistance to these airports. Each year, it seems, the Legislature is asked to license and regulate a different profession or occupation. A task force on professional licensure will consider creation of a sunrise procedure that would contain criteria to determine whether a profession or occupation should be regulated.

An electric industry restructuring task force is in its second year of study and will be hearing reports from the Public Service Commission on unbundling, market structure, consumer protection, and transition costs. The task force will also be looking at the impact of restructuring on municipal power providers, rural cooperatives, state and local governments, and the coal industry.

The Legislative Management Committee has requested each interim committee to focus its efforts on no more than five studies during the interim. Interim studies include the following:

w The Transportation Interim Committee will consider whether there are efficiencies to be gained by transferring jurisdiction of some state highways to local governments.

w The Public Utilities Interim Committee will seek to protect consumers from slamming, the unauthorized change of a customer's telephone company, and cramming, unauthorized charges on a telephone bill.

w The Information Technology Commission will monitor Y2K compliance and continue the study of privacy issues.

Alaska, California, Hawaii, Nevada, Oregon, Washington
Coordinator: Anne Tweedt, Oregon

Nevada—Interim Activities of the Nevada Legislature
By Bob Erickson
The Nevada Legislature holds its regular sessions biennially, in each odd numbered year. During the interim between sessions, the special Legislative study committees examine issues of significance and propose legislation.

Fifteen permanent statutory committees continue to meet during the interim. These committees study issues of continuing significance, such as health care, public lands, education, and workers’ compensation. In addition, the Legislature, during the 1997 session, adopted resolutions providing for seven special committees.

Among the topics assigned to these committees are the care and commitment of the mentally ill, student discipline, and family courts. The Legislative Commission, a special body that oversees the legislative staff and governs the affairs of the Legislature between sessions, has also created special committees to study "housekeeping" matters including the application of computers to the legislative process, buildings, security, and the hosting of the 1998 NCSL Annual Meeting in Las Vegas. The Legislature has also directed its staff to prepare reports on ballot access for minor parties, city charters, and tax exemptions.

Finally, 22 non-legislative advisory committees meet during the period between sessions and make recommendations for legislation. These advisory committees, consisting of officials from the executive and judicial branches, local officials, and designated private citizens, are studying issues such as sentencing, educational technology, and maternal and child health.

Agendas and committee minutes, rosters of committee members , and live audio broadcasts of selected meetings are available on the Legislature’s web site at www.leg.state.nv.us.

Washington—Legislature Establishes Educational Telecommunications Network
By Anne Tweedt
As a new investment in education, the 1996 Washington Legislature established a governing body and funding ($58 million) for a K-20 Educational Telecommunications Network, intended to be "an integrated and interoperable educational technology network serving kinder-garten through higher education." It is designed to be a collaborative effort of public and private K-12 and higher education, state government, the legislature, and the private sector in providing distance learning and other lifelong learning.

Phase I of the system is complete and establishes a high capacity "backbone" which provides connections for the main branches of higher education institutions and regional offices of K-12 to a centralized telecommunications trans-mission system. As Phase II is completed in 1998, each of the 296 school districts and remote sites for higher education institutions will have "node" connections to the backbone, which will provide a "state intranet" to share information resources and provide economical access to the internet.

At this point of development of the telecommunications project, the Legislature felt it was necessary to appraise the status of the system's development, both in terms of who might be added to the system and what is the appropriate cost. Instead of adding staff to the permanent committees, the Legislature is using outside expertise to provide analysis of general systems issues and related cost estimates of budget proposals submitted by education agencies as a result of the new system. Specific review documents as well as general advice to staff and members will be provided in preparation for the 1999 Legislative Session.

1998 Staff Section Meeting Dates

NCSL Annual Meeting
July 20-23—Monday-Thursday
Las Vegas, Nevada

Legislative Staff Management Institute
August 3-14—Monday-Friday
Co-sponsor: Humphrey Institute
University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota

Skills Development Seminar
August 19-22—Wednesday-Saturday
Radisson Hotel Burlington, Burlington, Vermont

Senior Fiscal Analysts
September 2-5—Wednesday-Saturday
Omni Tucson National, Tucson, Arizona

Leadership Staff Section (LSS)
September 16-19—Wednesday-Saturday
Palm Coast Resort, Palm Coast, Florida

American Society of Legislative Clerks and Secretaries (ASLCS)
September 18-23—Friday-Wednesday
Sheraton Madison Hotel, Madison, Wisconsin

National Legislative Security & Services Association
September 22-27—Tuesday-Sunday
Outrigger Prince Kuhio, Honolulu, Hawaii

National Legislative Program Evaluation Society (NLPES)
September 30-October 3--Wednesday-Saturday
Red Lion Sacramento Inn, Sacramento, California

National Association of Legislative Information Technology (NALIT)
October 7-10—Wednesday-Saturday
Radisson Hotel, Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Research and Committee Staff Section and Legal Services Staff Section
Joint Professional Development Seminar
October 8-10—Thursday-Saturday
The Saint Paul Hotel, St. Paul, Minnesota

Legislative Research Librarians (LRL)
October 15-17—Thursday-Saturday
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania

Senior Legislative Drafting Seminar
November 18-21--Wednesday-Saturday
Williamsburg, Virginia

AFI/ASI Joint Winter Meeting
December 9-11—Wednesday-Friday
Renaissance Hotel, Washington, DC

July 24-29, 1999 Indianapolis, Indiana

July 15-20, 2000 Chicago, Illinois

August 11-16, 2001 San Antonio, Texas

July 22-28, 2002 Denver, Colorado

July 21-27, 2003 San Francisco, California

Return to RACSS Home Page