Research and Committee Staff Section
RACSS Newsletter
21-Page Document
Fall, 1997
Table of Contents
Chair's Column
RACSS Annual Meeting Programs A Success in Philadelphia
1997 Business Meeting and Election Results
Legislative Staff Achievement Award Winners
1997-98 Officers and Executive Committee Profiles
1997 Professional Development Seminar Report
RACSS Programs at the Fall ASI Programs
Model Policy for Appropriate Use of the Internet
ASI Committees Work Products
Regional News
by Diane Bolender, Director
Iowa Legislative Service Bureau
1998 RACSS Chair
Memories of the Annual Meeting in Philadelphia are fading, fall has arrived, and for those of you whose legislative sessions begin in January, I hope there is time to reflect upon different kinds of activities and information available to assist you professionally. I will be serving as the chair of your NCSL Staff Section, the Research and Committee Staff Section (RACSS), until after the Las Vegas Annual Meeting next summer, and I hope reading this newsletter and participating in other RACSS activities can help you to become a more professional staff member. As members of RACSS, one of the nine different staff sections of NCSL, you perform a variety of different tasks for your legislatures. Members of RACSS serve as both partisan and nonpartisan staff and may perform tasks from research to policy analysis, to general legislative services, to committee staffing services. While particular staffing patterns and legislative organization may vary from state to state, the needs of every legislature for accurate information and skillful employees do not vary.
One of my goals this year is to involve more of you in staff section activities with the hope that our staff section can benefit from your ideas and skills and that your staff section assistance can, in turn, lead to involvement within the larger NCSL environment.
I'm very pleased that this newsletter contains articles of interest from more than half the states. Thank you to our eight regional coordinator volunteers and our state and territorial contacts for their help. The subject matter of the submissions from the states varies from information about office projects, procedures, and organization, to legislation enacted, to session or interim activities of the legislatures.
In addition to the state news, this newsletter contains summaries of staff section sessions held at the Annual Meeting in Philadelphia, a summary of activities of the recent Professional Development Seminar for Senior Research Staff held in Washington, DC., and an article describing the sessions that will be offered at the upcoming Assembly on State Issues in Washington, DC. In addition, the newsletter also provides information about the individuals who were selected to receive the 1997 Legislative Staff Achievement Awards from the Staff Section, information describing the work products developed by the 1996 Assembly on State Issues Committees, a model policy for Appropriate Use of the Internet developed by the Information Technology Task Force of the Legislative Staff Coordinating Committee, and a listing of information about the Executive Committee of RACSS.
One of the articles in this newsletter specifically describes activities of the fourth annual Professional Development Seminar for Senior Research Staff. As a result of my attendance at the seminar, I'm reviewing how I edit my written documents, repackaging my reports, reviewing preparations for developing solutions to legislative issues, analyzing my decision making processes, and reviewing how I relate to other staff. Legislative staff from 18 states and the District of Columbia attended the seminar this year and their evaluations indicate that the seminar helped them to improve their skills and afforded them the opportunity to network with their colleagues. I hope many of you will be able to attend this seminar next year at its tentative location in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area.
If you have not already done so and have Internet access, I urge you to check out our RACSS web-site. It contains staff section information and includes all of our written documents, including this newsletter and past newsletters. We can thank our NCSL staff liaison Jeanne Mejeur for this product and for capable assistance in all of our other activities.
Finally, I want to thank Larry Barish, Staff Section Chair for 1996 and 1997, for his invaluable contributions to the growth of the staff section and the invigoration of its activities.
RACSS Programs a Success in Philadelphia
The Research and Committee Staff Section presented five programs for RACSS members at the 1997 NCSL Annual Meeting. Following are summaries of RACSS activities in Philadelphia:
Pennsylvania's Political History
Dr. Earl M. Baker, an executive with Unisys and a former Pennsylvania State Senator, presented both technical information and interesting stories concerning Pennsylvania's long and colorful political history. Although this presentation was scheduled for the late afternoon on the last day of the conference, nearly 50 delegates were in attendance. Some of the highlights of Dr. Baker's presentation follow.
During Pennsylvania's early years, differences between the Quakers and non-Quakers caused a major division. Today, economic and political differences between rural and urbanized areas of the state are important. Dr. Baker stated that the area between the eastern suburbs of Pittsburgh and the western suburbs of Philadelphia is not unlike rural Alabama. Indeed, Pennsylvania has the largest rural population of any state in the nation. (3.69 million in 1990).
Dr. Baker noted that Pennsylvania is currently a very Republican state. The Governor, both US Senators, and half of the state's members in the US House of Representatives are Republicans, and Republicans control both house of the Pennsylvania General Assembly. Although the mayors of both Pittsburgh and Philadelphia are Democrats, it was noted that Philadelphia politics were dominated by a "Republican Machine" until 1951.
Pennsylvania has experienced very modest growth over the last 60 years. In 1930, the state had a population of 9.6 million (36 Congressmen), while the 1990 Census counted 11.9 million Pennsyl- vanians. Today, the state has 21 members in the US House of Representatives, with a projected loss of two more seats following the year 2000 Census.
Although James Buchanan was the only Pennsylvanian to serve as President of the United States, other political figures in the state have achieved national importance, including Hugh Scott, William Scranton, Arlen Specter and Dick Thornburg.
Although this detail was not mentioned, Pennsylvania is officially termed a "Commonwealth" instead of a "State." Three other Commonwealths exist among the 50 states. What are they? (Answer in the next issue of the RACSS Newsletter.) The session was moderated by Diane Bolender. Program summary by Bob Erickson.
Making Effective Presentations To Legislators
Speaking to a large and attentive audience of legislative staffers, John Turcotte, Executive Director of Florida's Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability, presented a new and expanded version of his multimedia program on how to make effective oral presentations to legislators and legislative committees. In addition to RACSS, the program was co-sponsored by the Legislative Staff Coordinating Committee, Legislative Education Staff Network and National Legislative Security and Services Association.
John draws on his years of experience gained in the front lines and trenches of legislative warfare to dispense practical advice in an effective and entertaining fashion. His program started with a video which clearly demonstrated all the wrong ways to go about providing information to legislators. John then explained the proper way to provide information by addressing such topics as how adults learn and listen, the competing demands for time and attention that legislators typically face, accommodating different personalities, and framing a presentation to meet the needs of the audience.
One of the reasons that John's program is so effective is because he incorporates all of the communication techniques that he recommends into his own presentation. His advice about delivering a message within a specified time, properly framing a message, providing the right amount of information, anticipating questions, and effectively using visual aids were all reflected in his presentation and helped to underscore his conclusions. All of us serving state legislatures would do well to heed John's message and learn to use these powerful and effective tools to improve our communication skills. Larry Barish moderated the session and wrote the program summary.
Research And Legal Resources On The Internet
Three articulate and experienced legislative attorneys used this session to share their personal insights on the rewards and pitfalls of using the Internet for legal research.
Marcia Goodman, Director of Connecticut's Legislative Commissioners' Office began the session by warning participants of hoaxes and other inaccurate information lurking on the Web. She prefers to stick to reliable institutional sources and encouraged the attendees to find a search engine that they are comfortable with and to master its advanced features.
Susan Phelps, a Legislative Counsel with the Maryland Department of Legislative Services, echoed Ms. Goodman's concerns and urged everyone to verify all information through other sources, including print media, if necessary. She stressed that the key to timely Internet research lies in planning how to conduct your search before the need arises. She advocates the use of listserves (which contain detailed information on various subjects), the exploration and book-marking of useful sites, and recommends that researchers familiarize themselves with at least three search engines.
Ronald Grenoble, a Staff Attorney for the Pennsylvania Joint State Government Commission, also warned the audience to avoid the obsolete, subjective and inaccurate "junk" that can be found on the Web, but he stressed the value of the Internet as a research tool. He spoke highly of several search engines, including Alta Vista, WebCrawler, LawCrawler and InfoSeek. He also urged attendees to check out a number of other lesser known but very reliable Web sites, including Purdue University's Virtual Reference Desk (http://thorplus.lib.purdue.edu/reference/index.html), Un Cover (http://uncweb.carl.org/uncover/unchome.html), and StateLaw (http://lawlib.wuacc.edu/washlaw/uslaw/statelaw.html). Bill Montgomery moderated the session and wrote the program summary.
Managing Change In The Legislative Environment
Rich Jones of NCSL moderated this session. The speakers included Ramona Kenady, Chief Clerk of the House in Oregon; Diane Odrobina, Administrator of the Michigan Legislative Council; and Karl Aro, Executive Director of the Maryland Department of Legislative Services.
Rich Jones talked about the driving changes in state legislatures, some of which are technology, public perception, term limits (in 20 states), devolution, and ideological legislators.
Diane Odrobina of Michigan made the following suggestions for legislative staff:
- Be more tolerant of change, and be quick to respond.
- Select staff who can handle the dynamic environment.
- Establish formal or informal mentoring within the organization.
- Tell war stories, since situations repeat themselves.
- Prevent stagnation and chaos.
- Promote stability by using task groups to do strategic planning.
- Use the computer, make tapes, and have a reception for legislators and staff to show them the services we provide.
- Do silent mentoring by assigning staff to certain legislators.
After undergoing a complete legislative staff reorganization in Maryland, Karl Aro had the following suggestions for legislative staff when sudden changes occur in the legislative environment:
- Don't panic.
- Try to see beyond the initial impact.
- Look at what is certain.
- Obtain information and share it.
- Be flexible.
- Look for opportunities.
- Pray the serenity prayer.
Ramona Kenady of Oregon discussed some changes that had taken place within the legislature when it became apparent that 23 members would be leaving the House. She noted that the impending loss affected both legislators and staff, and stressed the importance of good communication with members to insure a clear understanding of their priorities while still in office, and that staff support be available to them in helping them meet their legislative goals.
Legislative staff should view these changes as an opportunity. From her experience in Oregon, Ramona suggested that:
- Staff become educators; put things in a quick, easy format that will promote understanding of the issues.
- Recognize staff contributions regularly.
- Do evaluations of staff on a regular basis, including staff managers, to catch problems early and provide regular feedback to employees.
- Get back to basics; communication is the key.
- Build trust between leadership and staff.
The consensus was that in this period of change, staff should embrace the change, remain flexible, and be proactive in building relationships with members and each other. Program summary by Donna Davis.
Ethical Challenges For Researchers And Bill Drafters
Legislative bill drafters and research staff met to discuss ethical situations confronting them in their jobs. The program was sponsored by both RACSS and the Legal Services Staff Section, and offered CLE credits.
Speakers were John Olsrud, Director of the North Dakota Legislative Council; David Hite, Deputy Director of the Colorado Legislative Council; Marcia Goodman, Director of the Connecticut Legislative Commissioners' Office; and Joyce Honaker, State Government Committee Administrator for the Kentucky Legislative Research Commission. The program was moderated by Bruce Fuestel, Program Manager in NCSL's Legislative Management Program and former head of Wisconsin's bill drafting office.
Both NCSL's Model Code of Conduct for Legislative Staff and the American Bar Association's Rules of Professional Conduct were used to begin discussions of ethical dilemmas affecting legislative staff members. The ethical obligations of staff include honesty, discretion, candor, objectivity, competence, diligence, fairness, respect, support and teamwork, courtesy and law-abiding.
The group then divided into small groups to consider case studies and apply the ethical obligations that had been discussed to those situations. A sample case study: "Before a committee meeting, a legislator asks for your understanding of some aspects of a bill. You explain carefully, but the legislator gets up in the meeting and describes your conversation and attributes several statements to you that you never made. What do you do? Does it make a difference if the committee is about to vote? Does it make a difference if the legislator is the chairman of the committee?" There was lively discussion on all case studies and the small groups reported their conclusions on how each situation should be handled. Where consensus could not be reached, dissenting opinions were also discussed.
RACSS held its annual Business Meeting for 1997 on Friday, August 8, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in conjunction with the NCSL Annual Meeting. Larry Barish of Wisconsin, 1997 RACSS Chair, presided over the meeting. RACSS members were treated to a salad-buffet luncheon sponsored by The Michie Company.
Past Activities
RACSS activities for 1996-97 were reviewed, including the 1996 Professional Development Seminar for Senior Research Staff held in Madison; the Fall 1996 ASI meeting in Washington, DC; 1997 Annual Meeting programs; and RACSS publications, including the staff section newsletter and directory. The activities of the Legislative Staff Coordinating Committee were also discussed.
Elections
Diane Bolender of Iowa presided over the election of officers for the 1997-98 term. She introduced the members of the nominating committee and presented the slate of officers selected by the committee for election by the membership. The slate was passed by the members in attendance. Karl Aro (MD) was elected as 1997-98 Vice Chair. Executive Committee members elected for 1997-98 are: Larry Barish (WI) serving a one-year term as immediate past chair, Donna Davis (AR) and Bill Montgomery (DE) both serving one-year terms, and Dianna McClure (KY) and Bob Erickson (NV) each serving two year terms. Under the staff section bylaws, the vice-chair becomes chair for the following year.
Legislative Staff Achievement Award
David Hite (CO) was introduced as the chair of the Nominating Committee for the Legislative Staff Achievement Awards from RACSS. The Legislative Staff Achievement Award honorees for 1997 from RACSS are Joyce Honaker, Committee Administrator with the Kentucky Legislative Research Commission; and Carvel Payne, Director of Maryland Department of Legislative Reference. (see following story)
1998 Chair Remarks
Diane Bolender assumed the role of RACSS Chair for 1997-98, in accordance with the RACSS Bylaws. She discussed her plans for the staff section for the coming year and urged members to become more involved with RACSS.
Upcoming Events
Karl Aro (MD), who served as chair of the Planning Committee for the 1997 Professional Development Seminar for Senior Research Staff, provided an overview of the seminar agenda and urged RACSS members to attend.
RACSS will also be meeting in conjunction with the Joint Fall Meeting of the Assembly on State Issues and the Assembly on Federal Issues, in Washington, DC, November 5-7, 1997.
Other Business
The RACSS Home Page on the World Wide Web was reviewed. The page is part of NCSL's site, NCSLnet. RACSS puts a wide variety of information on its web site, including programs, officers, bylaws, newsletters, and directory.
All nine NCSL staff sections were given the opportunity to recognize among their membership two legislative staff who have made outstanding contributions to their legislatures and to the staff section.
The award was established through the Legislative Staff Coordinating Committee as a means of recognizing excellence in service to state legislatures. Each staff section is permitted to make up to two awards, and the ASI Staff Chair may select two additional award recipients.
The first annual recipients of the Legislative Staff Achievement Award were honored at the Legislative Staff Luncheon at the 1997 NCSL Annual Meeting in Philadelphia. A booklet was distributed that listed the honorees from all the staff sections and the ASI appointments, and described the particular contributions of each staff person.
To select its honorees, RACSS officers appointed a nominating committee to establish criteria for the award, solicit nominations, and recommend honorees to the RACSS Executive Committee.
Members of the 1997 Awards Committee were David Hite (CO), who served as chair, Dianna McClure (KY) and Darrell Jackson (MO). The Nominating Committee recommended two honorees to the Executive Committee: Carvel Payne and Joyce Honaker, and both nominations were approved.
Carvel Payne
The career of Carvel Payne spans the growth of the National Conference of State Legislatures and of legislative staff institutions nationally. As a first recipient of the Legislative Staff Achievement Award, Carvel Payne is recognized for his long and significant service to NCSL and to Maryland's General Assembly.
An employee of the Maryland General Assembly for 27 years, Carvel served as Director of its Department of Legislative Reference from 1978 until his retirement in June of 1997. Carvel was instrumental in organizing NCSL's Research and Committee Staff Section in 1983, helping settle on a name and scope of interests for the group. He served as Chairman of RACSS in 1985-86, and as a member of the Legislative Staff Coordinating Committee. As a member of the LSCC, Carvel made significant contributions to the work of the Task Force on International Legislative Assistance and Cooperation. In addition, Carvel was actively involved with the Legal Services Staff Section. He also played an active role in hosting the 1988 meeting of the Assembly on the Legislature.
In his office in Annapolis, Carvel expanded and improved committee staffing, created the Research Division and initiated several publications. Carvel enhanced legislative information services and presided over movement of his office into the computer age, as well as developing bill tracking and bill drafting systems. And although his focus was improving the legislative process in Maryland, Carvel's door was always open to international visitors.
Joyce Honaker
Joyce Honaker has strengthened the institution of the state legislature as an employee of the Kentucky General Assembly, as well as a participant in numerous programs and committees of the National Conference of State Legislatures. In tribute to a career of 26 years, it is altogether fitting that Joyce Honaker be a first recipient of the Legislative Staff Achievement Award from the Research and Committee Staff Section.
Joyce is the quintessential legislative research staffer. Her career in Kentucky is characterized by excellence in all areas of legislative staffing, including bill drafting, research, and committee work. Worthy of special note is Joyce's service as primary staff for six redistricting sessions. She understands the role of staff and the needs of legislators and keeps the concern for the legislative institution foremost in her approach to assignments. In 1996, Joyce shared her knowledge in a parliamentary staff training workshop in Namibia.
A significant number of NCSL efforts have been strengthened through the leadership of Joyce Honaker. She has been a member of NCSL's Executive Committee. She served as chair of RACSS in 1987-89, and has been on the RACSS steering committee on numerous occasions. Her additional responsibilities include faculty assignments for NCSL Annual Meetings, membership on the LSCC, and chairmanships for the State Government Issues and Organization Committee and the Developmental Disabilities Task Force. Joyce has also served on the Reapportionment Task Force and the Fiscal, Oversight and Intergovernmental Affairs Committee, as well as the Assembly on the Legislature Steering Committee.
Diane Bolender currently serves as Director of the Iowa Legislative Service Bureau and has served in that capacity since 1989. Prior to that she held various positions in the Legislative Service Bureau for twenty years, including Deputy Director and Research Division Chief. She has been active in NCSL activities for many years, serving as a member of the NCSL Executive Committee from 1990 until 1992, and during 1994, and as a member of the Legislative Staff Coordinating Committee from 1990 through 1994. She has served as the Staff Vice Chair and Staff Chair of the Assembly on State Issues (formerly Assembly on the Legislature), and as both a member and chair of the NCSL Staff Nominating Committee. Ms. Bolender holds a degree in history and government from Iowa State University. Diane is a 1995 graduate of the Legislative Staff Management Institute.
Karl Aro is the Executive Director of the Maryland Department of Legislative Services, the legislative staff agency established by the 1997 reorganization of legislative staff services to the Maryland General Assembly. Prior to being selected as Executive Director, he served as the Director of the Research Division. Karl began working for the Maryland General Assembly in 1979 and has served as the key staff person for redistricting and reapportionment. He has also been responsible for providing oversight of health care regulation and policy and workers' compensation and has provided staff support to special joint committees, standing committees and subcommittees. Prior to joining the Legislature, Karl worked for the Prince George's County government and for the American Public Health Association. Mr. Aro holds a B.A. in government from Monmouth College and an M.A. in government and public administration, both from the University of Maryland. He has also completed all required course-work towards a doctorate degree in policy sciences, also at the University of Maryland. Karl has been an active member of NCSL's Research and Committee Staff Section, serving as Vice-chair for 1997-98 and as the chair of the planning committee for the 1997 Professional Development Seminar for Senior Research Staff. Karl is a 1993 graduate of the Legislative Staff Management Institute.
Larry Barish worked for the Wisconsin Legislature as a Legislative Analyst for over 15 years and has served as the Director of the Information and Library Services for the Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau since 1987. Mr. Barish is editor of the Wisconsin Blue Book, the biennially-produced compendium of information about Wisconsin state government. Larry specializes in redistricting issues and has assisted the Legislature and the federal courts following the 1980 and 1990 censuses. Larry has served as a member of the NCSL Reapportionment Task Force since 1984, and two terms as the Chair of the Research and Committee Staff Section. Mr. Barish received his Bachelors Degree in Political Science from the University of Wisconsin, Madison, and his Masters Degree in Government from the University of Arizona. He is a 1995 graduate of the Legislative Staff Management Institute.
Donna Davis began working at the Arkansas Bureau of Legislative Research in 1971, assigned to the Joint Budget Committee. Since 1979, she has been a legislative analyst in Research and Committee Services for the House and Senate Standing Committees on State Agencies and Governmental Affairs and the Joint Interim Committee on State Agencies and Governmental Affairs. Since 1984, Donna has been the staff coordinator of the committee that conducts state agency rules review, the Sub- committee on Administrative Rules and Regulations. She served on the RACSS Executive Committee in 1996-97. Donna holds a B.A. and M.P.A. from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.
Robert Erickson is the Research Director for the Nevada Legislative Council Bureau, and has worked in the legislature since 1979, becoming Director in 1984. He was a founding member of the Research and Committee Staff Section in the early 1980s and was a member of the RACSS Executive Committee in 1988 and 1989. He has participated in RACSS activities through the years, been a member of the NCSL Reapportionment Task Force, and served as a speaker at many NCSL meetings. Bob is a 1992 graduate of the Legislative Staff Management Institute. He received both his B.A. and M.A. degrees in geography from Fresno State University.
Dianna McClure is the Committee Staff Administrator for the Committee on Health and Welfare at the Legislative Research Commission in Kentucky. Dianna has been with the Legislative Research Commission since 1972. She served on the RACSS Legislative Staff Achievement Award Committee in 1997, and has been very active in NCSL, having served as Staff Chair of the Task Force on Developmental Disabilities and as a member of NCSL's Comprehensive School Health Program Advisory Panel. Dianna received her Master of Science and Social Work degree from the University of Louisville. She enjoys traveling throughout the United States and is a collector of southwestern art.
William S. Montgomery was appointed Director of the Delaware Legislative Council, Division of Research, in June, 1995. Previously, Bill served for ten years as the Legislative Staff Director for the City Council in Wilmington, Delaware. Bill holds a bachelor's degree in sociology and a master's degree in public administration, both from the University of Delaware. He serves on the boards of the Grand Opera House, the Delaware Theatre Company and Sister Cities of Wilmington, Inc.
The 1997 Professional Development Seminar for Senior Research Staff was held in Washington, DC, October 8-11, 1997. Approximately 60 staff attended the seminar, representing 18 states.
Presiding at the seminar was Karl Aro, Executive Director of the Maryland Department of Legislative Services, who served as chair of the 10-member committee that planned the 1997 seminar. The seminar began with a get-acquainted reception Wednesday evening sponsored by West Group. Guests mingled on a beautiful marble terrace, surrounded by trees, flowers and a fountain.
The seminar got underway with three programs on Thursday and an optional social event Thursday night. Marvin Mandell, Associate Professor of Policy Sciences at the University of Maryland began the seminar presenting a program on Quick Decision Analysis, which included designing decision trees to help develop options and consider possible outcomes to facilitate decision-making.
Carl Tubbesing, NCSL's Deputy Executive Director, entertained guests at a luncheon plenary session entitled "Tall Tales From Capitol Hill." He shared anecdotes that included the President's sudden interest in unfunded mandates during a White House bill-signing ceremony, and two state legislators who visited the White House with comical results: one getting caught in her bathrobe by the President and the other breaking a lamp in the Oval Office. The names are not published to protect everyone involved!
George Gopen, Director of Writing Programs at Duke University again presented his Effective Writing Skills program, that emphasizes how structure affects meaning, often more than word selection. Always an entertaining speaker, he also provided some practical advice for researchers and drafters.
The optional social event was an adaptation of the Marx Brother's play, "Room Service." The four "Flying Karamazov Brothers" played all seventeen roles in the play staged at the Kreeger Theatre. It was a hilarious evening, and trying to keep track of the brothers as they changed roles and costumes before our eyes was a bit of a trick, but worth the effort. They threw in some of the juggling and physical comedy for which they are best known and sometimes involved members of the audience-including RACSS chair Diane Bolender who was definitely in the wrong seat when they flung the contents of a water bottle into the audience. It was a wonderful and light-hearted evening for those who attended.
Friday's programs included a session on Meeting Members Research Needs in the Age of Devolution. The program was moderated by Allan Green, Director of Connecticut's Office of Legislative Research, who also presented the results of a Connecticut survey on members' research needs. Using the issue of welfare reform as an example, speakers discussed the types of research that was done to assist Congress in dealing with the welfare issue, sources of information, research methodology, dealing with conflicts over the issue and what kind of information legislatures would need to implement welfare reform at the state level. The impressive panel of speakers included Maryland State Representative Samuel Rosenberg; Gene Falk, Specialist in Social Legislation for the Congressional Research Service; Anna Kondratas, Co-Director, of the Assessing the New Federalism project at The Urban Institute; Dr. Ron Haskins, Majority Staff Director for the US House of Representatives Subcommittee on Human Resources; and Dr. Wendell Primus, Director of Income Security at the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities.
Friday's luncheon plenary was a review of recent and upcoming US Supreme Court decisions. Richard Ruda, Director of the State and Local Legal Center, provided a very concise, detailed handout and discussion of the important cases decided during the last term and those pending before the Court in their upcoming term that would have particular impact on the states. During the luncheon Anne Walker, Chief Clerk of the House in Missouri and 1998 NCSL Staff Chair also spoke to guests on her goals for legislative staff during her year as Staff Chair.
Friday afternoon offered a program on Marketing Your Research Product, presented by Martha Wellman, Senior Analyst for the Florida Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability. Martha used a high-tech Power Point presentation, demonstrating how staff can use state-of-the-art technology to enhance their message and provide well-focused presentations for legislators, committees, and briefings.
A too-brief tour of the US Capitol was conducted late Friday afternoon by staff from the office of Congresswoman Karen McCarthy, former President of NCSL. The high-point of the tour was being taken on the floor of the House of Representatives, a memorable moment for all involved.
The seminar ended with Saturday morning's program on Techniques for Positive Interaction, a short version of the Myers-Briggs test. Kevin Kruger, Associate Executive Director at the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators, did an excellent job in applying the test results to the legislative environment, including asking the introverted legislative staffers what was most difficult for them in dealing with their more extroverted colleagues and vice-versa, and suggested ways different personality types could better work together.
Diane Bolender presided over the seminar evaluation and received some excellent suggestions for improving the seminar. Next year's seminar is tentatively scheduled for St. Paul, Minnesota, in early October, 1998.
RACSS is presenting three programs at the Joint Meeting of the Assembly on State Issues (ASI) and the Assembly on Federal Issues (AFI), November 5-7, 1997, in Washington, DC. Two of the programs are being co-sponsored with the Legal Services Staff Section. RACSS programs included:
RACSS Executive Committee Meeting
Officers and Executive Committee members willmeet to discuss and plan RACSS activities for the coming year, including the 1998 Professional Development Seminar for Senior Research Staff. Presiding: Diane Bolender, Iowa.
Profile and Tour of NCSL's Washington Office
This program offers a presentation by senior NCSL staff describing the work of the Washington Office and how it differs from the Denver Office. Also included are presentations describing the responsibilities of other national associations located in the Hall of the States. An office tour follows the presentations. Presenters: Jeremy Meadows, NCSL, and Burt Waisanen, CSG.
Legislative History (CLE)
States and state courts have various ways to identify legislative history. This session will focus on the wide range of possibilities from published legislative history reports to reports in the newspaper. Co-sponsored with the Legal Services Staff Section. Presenter: Gordon Young, Maryland.
Term Limits and their Effects on Legal Services
This two-part program explores the impact of term limits on legislative staff. Co-sponsored with Legal Services.
Part A: The Nuts and Bolts of Term Limits (CLE)
This program will focus on the various states' approaches to legislative term limits and the various court challenges. Presenters: Rona Hallabrin, California, and George Peery, North Carolina.
Part B: What's New in Orientation Programs
With the 1998 elections, new legislators need to learn the legislative process. This will be a nuts and bolts approach to a successful orientation. Presenters: Terry Anderson, South Dakota, and Debbie Haskins, Colorado.
The Information Technology Task Force of the Legislative Staff Coordinating Committee (LSCC) has developed a Model Policy for Appropriate Use of The Internet. The Task Force reviewed and adopted the model policy at its June 6, 1997 meeting in Newport, Rhode Island. The LSCC suggests the model policy for adoption by legislatures to govern use of legislative computer systems by members and staff. A copy of the model policy follows: A Model Policy for Appropriate Use of The Internet
Electronic mail and access to the Internet provide a valuable communications tool for legislators, legislative staff, state agencies and the public. As with all other forms of communication, this tool must be managed in a manner that maintains public trust and confidence in the legislature. One of the greatest distinctions, and dangers, of electronic mail and other forms of access to the Internet, is that people treat it far more informally than other forms of business communications. People can copy and circulate it far more easily than traditional paper communications. It must be remembered that it is writing and constitutes a permanent record. Legislatures should use careful management so electronic mail will constitute clear and appropriate communications. In the interest of protecting the Legislature and its employees, the Legislature adopts the following guidelines to apply to all access of internal and external data communications systems:
1. Users of the system must respect the privacy of other users and their intellectual property or data. Users shall not intentionally seek information, obtain copies, modify files or data, or use passwords belonging to other users without proper authorization.
2. Users shall not represent themselves as another user, unless authorized to do so by that user.
3. Users shall respect the legal protection provided by copyright and licensing laws to software and data.
4. Users shall protect the integrity of the Legislature's computer system. Users shall not intentionally propagate programs that harass other users or infiltrate a computer or computer system.
5. Users shall not damage or alter the software or other components of legislative computers or computer systems, or install unauthorized software or hardware peripherals.
6. Users shall only use functions and components of the legislative computer system for which they have been trained.
7. Users shall not sell access to computer systems.
APPROPRIATE USE
Members and staff may use legislative computers and computer systems to:
a. facilitate communications between legislators, staff, state agencies, citizens of the state, and others concerned with state business, including transfer of documents;
b. access databases and files to obtain work-related reference material or to conduct legislative- related research, or other appropriate legislative business;
c. expedite administrative duties in direct support of work-related functions;
d. prepare information for use in bill preparation, committee hearings, and floor debates;
e. preserve historical information related to the Legislature; and
f. communicate with others to pursue professional and career development, including professional organizations.
g. [optional term] As with telephones, electronic mail is intended for fast and efficient communications. However, personal use of electronic mail should be limited in the same manner as local telephone calls so as not to interfere with the employee's duties.
INAPPROPRIATE USE
No person shall use legislative computers and computer systems to:
a. violate any state or federal law or regulation;
b. promote any commercial venture, political campaign, or personal purpose;
c. raise funds or engage in public relations activities that are not directly related to state business;
d. intentionally disrupt network or system use by others, either by introducing worms or viruses or by other means;
e. misrepresent oneself, a state agency, the Legislature, a legislator, a state employee, or the state (including unauthorized use of another's password or login code); or
f. transmit or, with foreknowledge, receive pornographic, racist, sexist, or harassing materials.
Adopted by the Task Force, June 6, 1997, Newport, Rhode Island
The Assembly on State Issues is a major forum for the exchange of ideas and information among state legislatures. Through its committees and task forces, whose members include both legislators and legislative staff serving in partnership, it has improved interstate communication and enhanced information sharing.
During 1996-97 the Assembly on State Issues consisted of eight committees and two task forces, each co-chaired by a legislator and legislative staff member. The committees and task forces were urged to develop timely and relevant work products based upon their study of issues of concern to the states.
The following listing of committees and task forces includes a description of their work products. If you are interested in receiving a copy of a work product, you may contact the NCSL staff member listed for the committee or task force.
Arts and Tourism Committee
Held a National Tourism Seminar on September 25-27, 1997, in St. Petersburg, Florida.
Completed a report on public funding of sports facilities.
Completed a paper on tourism employment and a study of tourism taxes in the states.
NCSL Staff: Laura Loyacono
Children, Families and Health Committee
Sponsored special briefings on welfare reform at NCSL meetings.
Identified key issues and provided input on a welfare reform publication being developed by NCSL.
NCSL Staff: Mary Fairchild
Communications and Information Policy Committee
SIZE=1Sponsored and planned a national seminar on information technology and policy.
Completed a report on digital signatures.
Summarized legislation on information policy and telecommunications.
Developed a brochure describing the committee and its activities.
Developed a committee web page on NCSL's web site.
NCSL Staff: Jo Anne Bourquard
Criminal Justice Committee
Added committee information to the on-line Criminal Justice newsletter.
Produced on-line summaries of committee sessions.
NCSL Staff: Donna Lyons
Education Committee
Produced a meeting summary and distributed it to members who did not attend.
Made committee information available on the Legislative Education Staff Network listserv.
NCSL Staff: Julie Bell
Fiscal, Oversight and Intergovernmental Affairs Committee
Worked effectively with other committees to examine topics of mutual concern.
NCSL Staff: Judy Zelio
Legislative Effectiveness Committee
Published an article in State Legislatures on the institutional impacts of devolution.
Planned a recording session to produce an audio tape on how to be an effective committee chair.
Began an article on Virginia's new CD ROM on the state legislature.
NCSL Staff: Bruce Feustel
Science, Energy, and Environmental Resources Committee
Sponsored and planned a national seminar on electric utility deregulation.
Produced a checklist on electric utility restructuring issues.
NCSL Staff: Dwight Connor
Task Force on Economic Incentives
Produced State Economic Development Incentives: Recommendations from the Task Force on Economic Incentives (scheduled for release in November 1997).
Produced State Economic Development Incentives: What They Are and How They Work (scheduled for release in November 1997).
NCSL Staff: Ron Snell
Reapportionment Task Force
Added an elections and reapportionment page to NCSL's web site.
Established a list serve on reapportionment issues.
Completed a report summarizing case law relating to reapportionment.
Revived the Reapportionment Update newsletter.
NCSL Staff: Tim Storey
Following is news from research staff around the states, gathered by RACSS' network of eight Regional Coordinators and their state contacts. If you would like to submit information on your state or if you're interested in serving as a state contact, please call the Coordinator listed for your region.
New England Region: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont
Coordinator: Cora Chua, CT, (860) 240-0075
Connecticut-Cora Chua
During the State of Connecticut's regular and special sessions, the General Assembly did not have the chance to review and pass legislation regarding recent changes in the federal law that provides health care funding for uninsured children. The State of Connecticut is now eligible to receive federal matching funds to afford health care for uninsured children under Title XXI of the federal statutes.
On September 11, 1997, Governor John G. Rowland unveiled a proposal, the Healthcare for Uninsured Kids and Youth (HUSKY) Plan, that seeks to utilize the federal matching funds which have been allocated to the State. The HUSKY Plan would establish a non-entitlement program to offer the state employee equivalent benefit package to children with household incomes between 185 percent and 300 percent of the federal poverty level.
In response to this issue and a few other matters that constitute special emergencies requiring immediate legislative action, Governor Rowland has convened the 1997 General Assembly into Special Session at Hartford on Wednesday, October 29, 1997. This will prove to be an interesting special session, because several legislators will be introducing legislation to either expand Medicaid or introduce their own health care plans to address the uninsured children.
Mid-Atlantic Region: Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia
Coordinator: David Sallach, NJ (609) 984-0231
New Jersey-Peter Mazzei
Just a few years ago, legislative staff could not have dreamed of having as much information at their desktops as the Internet now offers. Before the arrival of the World Wide Web, staffers relied on the traditional, hard-copy research tools such as compilations of statutes, regulations and court opinions (with their cumbersome, often ineffective indexes), printed reports and journals acquired by an office library, and local newspapers as their principal sources of research. Finding the required information often meant calling staff from several other state legislatures and requesting bills or other documents to be faxed or even mailed. Since state legislatures typically operate under demanding time restraints, the traditional means of legislative research often proved to be less than adequate. The pool of information resources that could be consulted in a short time period was simply too limited.
With the availability of the Internet at office computers, researchers have access to a wealth of information. The main advantages of the Internet are: (1) search engines enable researchers to perform full-text searching on statutes and other databases, thereby increasing the chances of finding relevant information; (2) once located, the required information can be downloaded or printed immediately for use; information that could have taken days or even weeks to be sent through "snail mail" can now be on your desk in seconds; (3) since web sites and non-proprietary databases can be accessed without incurring additional telecommunications charges, searching and retrieving information from other states (or countries) is much less expensive than using the phone or fax; (4) the various communication tools that are bundled with web browsers allow researchers to send and receive e-mail across the globe, join listserves, participate in newsgroups and online forums, and even teleconference with colleagues, whether located in a different building in a statehouse complex, or in another state.
Just a few web sites that are particularly useful for legislative research are:
NCSL (www.ncsl.org) - the first place to visit for legislative research; includes links to all state legislature web sites, databases of state statutes and pending bills in various states, an excellent database of legislative research reports, full text documents, issue briefs, subject forums, NCSL staff contacts and tons of useful information. If your computer is equipped for audio/video teleconferencing, you can visit uls.ncsl.org.
- THOMAS (thomas.loc.gov) - Full text of bills in Congress, the Congressional Record, congressional committee reports and other documents.
- GPO Access (www.access.gpo.gov) - full text of congressional bills and reports, United States Code, Code of Federal Regulations, Federal Register, GAO reports and more.
- Newsworks (www.newsworks.com) - Full text of archived articles from over 100 US national and regional newspapers.
- GovernNet Affairs (www.govaffs.com/ states.html) - Full text of pending bills in most states, all in one searchable database.
- Federal Court Locator (www.law.vill.edu/Fed-Ct/fedcourt.html) - access to US Supreme Court and US Court of Appeals decisions.
- VersusLaw (www.versuslaw.com) - fee based; full text of state court decisions from the 50 states.
Virginia-E.M. Miller
Technology has literally taken the "New Dominion" by storm! Technology is a driving force of Virginia's economy and is projected to gain momentum. The State has one of the fastest growing high-wage technology business sectors in the US. Currently, it is estimated that technology-based businesses in Virginia number over 2,450, employ more than 290,000 workers and contribute more than $18.8 billion in wages to the state's economy. By 2002, Virginia is projected to have over 4,000 technology companies employing at least 330,000 Virginians whose annual salaries will average over $65,000 per position in wages. Virginia's technology sector is now growing at more than three times the rate of the Commonwealth's economy.
Virginia is home to one of the largest concentrations of Internet companies in the world, including many of the largest Internet providers. Northern Virginia alone has the second-highest regional concentration of high-tech companies (mostly in information technology and telecommunication) in the US, after Silicon Valley in California.
In an effort to address the many issues that will be forthcoming from this industry, the General Assembly appointed a joint subcommittee to, among other things, examine whether a permanent council on science and technology should be created. States have utilized differing approaches to address emerging issues, from the establishment of additional standing committees to the employment of science advisors. The joint subcommittee recommended the creation of a permanent statutory Commission to address the plethora of science and technology issues which would fall to the General Assembly for resolution. Virginia's Commission came into being July 1.
It was concluded that the Division of Legislative Services would provide staff support to the newly established Commission, thereby recognizing savings for office space rental, equipment purchases, utilities and staff support. Through a sharing of support functions and the free exchange of information between the Division's and Commission's professional staff, it was felt that both organizations would benefit. Two staff positions were funded under the Division's supervision to support the work of the Commission and both employees have been hired and have begun work on the many issues before the Commission. Additional information regarding the Virginia Joint Commission on Technology and Science can be found on the Internet at http://legis. state.va.us/jcots/jcots.htm. (economic statistics and statements taken from "Building A Commonwealth of Technology: A Blueprint for Technology-Based Economic Growth in Virginia," 1997)
South Region: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee
Coordinator: Dianna McClure, KY, (502) 564-8100
Alabama-Jerry Bassett
The Alabama Legislature is using the interim between the 1997 Regular Session, which ended in late May, and the 1998 Regular Session, which begins in mid-January, to migrate to a new client-server computer system designed and implemented by Digital. The system will handle all the computer needs of the Legislature, including bill drafting, bill tracking, internal operations, Internet access, etc.
While inevitable glitches are expected (and the Governor has already called one special session that took up valuable training time and is talking about calling another), when up and running, the system should make on-line research considerably easier and less expensive. It will also give each individual staff member an e-mail address and the ability to communicate electronically with persons in other states like almost everyone else has had for some time.
Georgia-Dan Williams
The Georgia House of Representatives Research Office provides information and assistance to all 180 Georgia Representatives regarding any subject such as proposed or pending legislation and statistical studies. Information is also provided to Georgia State agencies and departments, along with information assistance to other State Assemblies as requested.
The Research Office staff consists of twelve full time employees consisting of one Director, one Administrative Assistant, one Office Manager, one Special Aide, and eight research Analysts. The Director of House Research, Dan Williams, reports directly to the Speaker of the House.
Administrative Assistant Bill Norman handles special projects as assigned by the Director, provides research information not directly related to aparticular committee and assists the Office Manager as needed.
Office Manager Sandra Witty is responsible for the daily smooth operation of the office, which includes answering twelve incoming telephone lines, service and material needs on all office equipment, handling mail, directing research requests, maintaining and upgrading codes, periodicals, publications and files. She also provides administrative assistance to the Director and staff members, as needed, and manages the Library.
The Special Aide, Charlotte Marcus, handles issues related to HIV, AIDS, and homelessness, and acts as the Research Office representative at meetings other than those directly committee related.
Research Analysts are Tracy Atcheson, Linda Foley, Craig Foster, Sheila Gove, Gail Kaley, Tarry Mills Hodges, Phyllis Mitchell and Gardner Sapp.
The Research Analysts are the functional core of the Research Office and provide the direct assistance to Committee Chairmen and Representatives. The Analysts carefully and diligently search and collect information through all sources including the various state and local governments, the Bureau of Justice, the Internet, libraries, NCSL, the Assembly of State Issues, SLC., publications and periodicals.
The Georgia General Assembly holds annual sessions beginning in January for forty working days. During the Session the Research Analysts attend their assigned Committee meetings, track all legislation going through their Committees and compile, complete, bind and submit individual end-of-session reports to their committees.
In our state the following committees are fully covered by our analysts: Agriculture, Insurance, Judiciary, Special Judiciary, State Institutions and Property, Governmental Affairs, Retirement, Defense and Veterans Affairs, Banks and Banking, Transportation, Motor Vehicles, University Systems, Industry, Appropriations, Intra-Governmental Coordination, Industrial Relations, Regulated Beverages, Natural Resources, Public Safety, Game, Fish and Parks, Children and Youth, Health and Ecology and Human Relations and Aging.
In addition to the committee work the Office assists the State Representatives at various public hearings and meetings inside and outside the State of Georgia. During the last out-of-session time-frame, our office processed 649 requests which accounted for 1,623 working days, averaging 2.50 days per request turn around time.
Kentucky-Joyce Crofts
To encourage its employees at all levels to advance their education so they can provide the highest quality service to the General Assembly, the Legislative Research Commission provides both financial and other assistance to staff who wish to pursue degrees or attain continuing education.
A variety of educational opportunities was made available during the 1996-97 interim, with future plans to expand. Among the offerings were various in-house training workshops, academic opportunities, computer training, satellite down-links, and professional development videos. The in-house training was usually conducted by senior staff and included such topics as: 1) research-types of policy research, the difference between data and information, important elements of research design, common research tools and memo preparation; 2) research resources-for researching other states, locating federal government information, obtaining executive branch information, and finding and evaluating numbers; 3) staff ethics; 4) interviewing techniques; 5) American Sign Language; 6) searching the Internet; 7) computer security; and 8) best practices.
Academic opportunities included not only traditional courses in nearby colleges and universities, but also on-site courses provided through distance learning programs and special arrangements with academic institutions and schools. Subjects of the on-site courses included library research and information science, American Sign Language, organizational management (a BA degree completion tailored to our session schedule), and the certified professional secretaries certification program.
LRC continues to explore resources for staff education and development. A staff web site page is imminent that will provide detailed information on all staff development opportunities, links to the sources, additional financial aid sources, and, in some cases, on-line registration. A staff-to-staff tutoring program has been initiated, and a book bank is planned. As of Fall, 1997, for students receiving LRC assistance, 14 were enrolled in graduate programs, 27 in under-graduate programs, 18 in the professional secretaries certification program, 9 in American Sign Language, and 11 in the organizational management program. For additional information, contact Peggy Hyland at (502) 564-8100 or phyland@mail.lrc.state.ky.us.
South Carolina-Andy Allen
Over the previous two years, the South Carolina General Assembly has eliminated several joint committees which were composed of Senators and House members and served by full-time staff. Instead of employing these tightly-focused joint committees to study and offer legislation on issues ranging from energy policy to tourism, the legislature has opted to address these fields of interest in the appropriate House and Senate standing committees.
In the course of the two-year phase-out completed in 1997, the General Assembly eliminated the joint committees and full-time staff positions devoted to cultural affairs, tourism and trade, family and children's issues, mental health and mental retardation, the disabled, energy, health care planning and oversight, appropriation review, and textiles. The Joint Committee on Aging remains, but its full-time staff positions were eliminated and replaced with support drawn from existing staff. The Joint Bond Review Committee continues to function with its full-time staff intact.
Tennessee-Brian Dauer
Tennessee's General Assembly entered the information age this past year by going online on the Internet. In January, the Office of Legislative Information Services created the General Assembly's web site, making information on the legislators, committees, leadership, caucuses, and staff offices available to the public. Since January, the Daily Service, the Legislative Record, weekly session schedules, the House and Senate Calendars, the committee calendars, information on bills and resolutions, press releases, a search engine for bills, information on signed legislation and public chapters, and other general information was added to the web site. All legislators, staff members, and research analysts now have e-mail accounts and are connected to the Internet. Check out our web site at http://www.legislature.state.tn.us.
Tennessee's legislature and supporting staff have been busy since adjournment in May. Hot issues which have warranted study committees include issues surrounding annexation and incorporation, divorce and child custody, school-to-career programs, graduated driver's licenses, registration and permitting of the transportation of hazardous and radioactive materials, health care reform relating to "any willing provider" legislation, prison privatization, and the proposed merger of the Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation into an expanded Department of Health. The House and Senate will begin the Second Regular Session of the 100th General Assembly Tuesday, January 13, 1998.
Great Lakes Region: Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Wisconsin
Coordinator: David Lovell, WI, (608) 266-1537
Illinois-Patrick O'Grady
The Illinois Legislative Research Unit (LRU) recently surveyed legislators and staff to obtain feedback regarding work performed during the session. The survey consisted of 22 questions intended to measure general performance of the LRU and focused on four indicators: quality, timeliness, relevance, and impact. Evaluations of Legislative Research Unit publications were also requested, as well as reactions to other services provided.
Forty-six percent of legislators and legislative staff surveyed responded (a total of 72 responses), an unusually high response rate for a survey of this type. On a scale of 1 (unsatisfactory) to 5 (superior), ratings were uniformly positive, averaging from 4.2 to 4.6. It is interesting to note that legislator ratings averaged one- or two-tenths higher than staff ratings for each indicator, although legislators and staff agreed on the rank given to the indicators, with quality ranked first, followed by relevance, impact and timeliness. For more information on the survey, contact Patrick O'Grady at (217) 782-6851.
Michigan-Dianne Odrobina
Legislative Council Manager Training: On September 15, 1997, there was a training kickoff meeting for Legislative Council managers with an introduction to employment law and an overview of the human resource and business offices. A mentoring program was also introduced. The training sessions are scheduled through July 1998.
There will be a series of informal brown bag luncheons for managers. Topics include: resources for managers, meeting facilitation, management survival skills, and a supervisor's role regarding workplace substance abuse. There will also be several formal presentations: employment law, evaluations, conflict resolution/mediation as a manager, and recruitment, covering interviewing and selection. Audio tapes will be available for managers who cannot attend a meeting or for those who join the management ranks later and want to review missed sessions.
Michigan Legislative Web Site Development: On September 19, 1997, the Legislative Web Site Development Group of the Michigan Legislative Council announced the release of legislative session information to the public on the world wide web. The new public legislative information web address is http://michiganlegislature.org.
This public web site includes information on introduced and as-passed bills, journals, and calendars, enrolled bills and joint resolutions, and bill status. The site also includes an easy-to-use on-line feedback mechanism for Michigan citizens to communicate suggestions for upgrading the site, or to pass along questions to their legislators or to the Web Site Development Group. The group will continue to monitor and enhance this web site as additional legislative information is added in the future.
Ohio-Shelagh Baker
The Ohio General Assembly will meet one or two weeks a month for the remainder of the year to consider school funding issues and will resume weekly sessions in January. In March the Ohio Supreme Court held that the state's elementary and secondary public school financing system violates a provision of the state constitution that "mandates a thorough and efficient system of common schools throughout the state." (DeRolph v State (1997), 78 Ohio St 3d 193). The Court gave the General Assembly one year to develop a new system that relies less on local property taxes. The Governor's proposal, that a constitutional amendment raising the state sales tax by one-half cent earmarked for education funding be placed on the November ballot, was approved by the Senate but not the House of Representatives. Two legislative committees are now considering alternative proposals.
Two statewide issues will be on the November ballot. State Issue 1 would amend the Ohio Constitution to permit denial of bail in a felony case if proof of guilt is evident or the presumption great, and the accused poses a substantial risk of serious physical harm to a person or the community; and to provide that the court may determine at any time the type, amount, and conditions of bail for a person charged with an offense that may result in incarceration. The legislation providing for placement of the issue on the ballot (Substitute House Joint Resolution 5) requires the General Assembly to enact standards for determining when a person poses a substantial risk of harm and requires that procedures for establishing the amount and conditions of bail be established pursuant to the Ohio Supreme Court's rule-making authority.
State Issue 2 is a referendum on legislation (Amended Substitute, SB 45) enacted earlier this year that would substantially revise Ohio's system of workers' compensation. This is the first referendum on an act of the General Assembly since 1939.
Wisconsin-Larry Barish
The Wisconsin Legislature finally passed a state budget earlier this month, some 31/2 months after the July 1 start of the fiscal year. Action on the budget was delayed for much of the summer mainly due to disagreements among Senate Democrats over how to proceed in putting together a spending package. A bipartisan bill was finally agreed upon which authorizes $37.4 billion in spending. The budget will not be enacted into law until the Governor has had an opportunity to review the bill and utilize his extensive authority to partially veto provisions. Unlike the federal government, Wisconsin government has not had to shut down in the absence of a new budget, since under Wisconsin law, state agencies continue to operate at levels authorized by the previous budget.
The Wisconsin Joint Legislative Council and council staff recently celebrated its 50th Anniversary. The Legislative Council was established in 1947 to provide citizens with an opportunity to participate in the legislative process by serving with legislators on study committees. Over the years, over 6,000 individuals have served on over 400 committees which made recommendations resulting in the enactment of 729 laws. The nonpartisan council staff supports the work of the study committees and also serves as staff to standing and statutory committees and provides a wide range of services to individual members and their staffs. At a reception held in the State Capitol commemorating the Council's 50 years of service, representatives of all three branches of government praised the uniformly excellent work of the council staff and recognized its role in supporting the legislative institution.
The Legislative Reference Bureau recently published the 83rd edition of the Wisconsin Blue Book, the almanac of state government. The 1997-98 edition is the first to make extensive use of color, which is reflected in a 48-page section devoted to Wisconsin's sesquicentennial, which will be observed in 1998. The LRB will make the Blue Book available on its Internet web site (http:/www.legis.state.wi .us/lrb) and is exploring the possibility of producing a CD-ROM version. A limited number of CDs were produced on a trial basis for the 1995-96 edition and have proven to be a useful tool for teaching students about state government and the legislative process.
South Central Region: Arkansas, Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri, Oklahoma, Puerto Rico, Texas
Coordinator: Willa Black Sanders, AR, (501) 682-1937
Kansas-Ben Barrett
Child Support Enforcement: As a part of welfare reform mandated by the federal Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Act of 1996, Kansas enacted child support enforcement reform measures during the 1997 Legislative Session. One of the provisions of the law, unique to Kansas, is the requirement that the state Attorney General file and vigorously prosecute a challenge to the constitu- tionality of conditioning the receipt of federal funds on state compliance with provisions of the federal law.
In October, an Assistant Attorney General reported to the interim legislative Special Committee on Child Support Enforcement Oversight that a complaint has been drafted and efforts are underway for the success of the lawsuit, which may involve a Tenth Amendment argument. Other legal arguments are also being explored. The Attorney General is attempting to locate other states that would be willing to join in the lawsuit.
Juvenile Justice: The Kansas Juvenile Justice Authority (JJA) which began its juvenile justice reform operation on July 1, 1997, is in the process of developing several community-based programs to deal with less violent juvenile offenders. Community planning will be the focus of the JJA with an emphasis on community participation in the community planning process to include prevention programs for juvenile offenders. Young people who are involved in the most serious crimes will continue to be handled at the state level. The JJA will begin consideration of proposals which could include private control of the juvenile correctional facilities. Also under consideration is the possibility of privatizing the construction of a new maximum security detention center. Information gathering on these two possibilities is currently underway by the JJA. Any final decision along these lines will have to be acted upon by the Legislature. For more information, contact Jerry Ann Donaldson at (785) 296-3181.
Louisiana-Anne Dunn
With the encouragement of House leadership, Louisiana House Legislative Services has undertaken a management initiative to improve services to House members and to prepare House staff for term limits. A constitutional amendment submitted to the voters by the Louisiana legislature limits legislators to three consecutive terms beginning with the four-year terms that commenced in 1996. Louisiana's is the only legislature to submit such a proposal to the electors.
The initiative includes a series of projects, including an integrated staff training program comprised of a series of staff round-tables and other more formal training sessions. Training objectives include, in part, a more proactive staff, better planning of committee studies, and improved research and presentation skills. Several round-tables have been held and Alan Rosenthal and John Turcotte, as well as HLS staffers, are on the agenda for a two-day training program in the latter part of October.
Other management projects include a project for "benchmarking" staff practices and services for the purpose of identifying and implementing best practices, a project to improve staff communications including implementation of a House Intranet, and a project for better workload assessment and for cross utilization of staff (which is organized by committee subject matter), particularly in years in which the legislature meets in shorter and limited fiscal sessions.
Missouri-Darrell Jackson
During the last year the Missouri House, with the assistance of NCSL, has conducted a classification and compensation study. The results were very significant for the House Research Staff. Pay ranges were increased and new job descriptions were written. The main position title was changed from "research analyst" to "legislative analyst." The old title is associated with the executive branch research analyst, primarily a statistician. The new title reflects the general character and legislative focus of our work. There will be three levels of legislative analysts, corresponding to entry level, journey-level, and senior (lead worker) level. The intent is to have an arti- culated career path and external recognition of status.
The Missouri General Assembly has been called into special session twice this summer. One special session was to complete the budget, after failure to do so by the constitutionally imposed deadline because of a dispute over family planning funding. The second special session was to remedy a constitutional defect in a tourism tax for Branson, the "music capital." The state supreme court said the old tax was special legislation because it defined Branson by its being located in a county bordering Arkansas. Mention of our neighbor to the south was deleted and authority for a tourism tax was granted to any small town with 2,500 hotel-motel rooms.
Oklahoma-George Humphreys
After a bid process, the Oklahoma Legislature has contracted with Public Services Associates (PSA) to replace the existing legislative information system. PSA is the current legislative information systems vendor. The new system will be Windows-based and will be the vehicle for bill status and bill drafting. The system is expected to be operable for the 1999 session. Plans include making the bill status module accessible to the public through the Internet.
The Legislature continues to reduce its joint operations. The Joint Bill Processing office has been split between the two houses. That office was responsible for taking bill drafts prepared by House and Senate staff and putting them into bill form.
There may be changes in the Legislature's bill deadline system. The House Rules Committee chair has an interim study of House and joint rules in which this issue may be raised. Staff leaders have been concerned that tight bill deadlines push bills through the process and most bills are written in conference committees.
The passage of a major crime bill was one of the major accomplishments of the 1997 session. The bill included truth-in-sentencing and community corrections, both of which will be implemented July 1998. Numerous interim studies involve the implementation of these two acts which have drawn considerable local attention, particularly from local district attorneys and county sheriffs.
Puerto Rico-Heidi Medina-Cordero
The Office of Legislative Services (OLS) is dedicated to serve the members of the General Assembly of Puerto Rico. In our most recent session, the OLS played a pivotal role in the preparation, analysis and consideration of key legislative initiatives. Both the legislative and executive branches of government in Puerto Rico have once again taken bold action and brave steps in the implementation of an innovative and challenging public policy: privatization. House Bill Number 54 paved the way for the open market in telecommunications in Puerto Rico by allowing for the sale of the Government's Telephone Company with very stringent provisions safeguarding the public's interest. The OLS was throughout the legislative process providing quality assistance to the legislature on such a complex issue.
On the home front, fully aware of the continuos evolution of information systems, the OLS changed from a terminal system to a mini-web platform, using personal computers to process and inquire information. The OLS included the digitalization of legislative data in order to offer the members fast and accurate access through electronic mail and the Internet, among others. Also, we have other on-line services available through modems.
Texas-Julia Rothgeber
The Texas Legislature convenes in Austin, Texas, in every odd-numbered year for 140 days. During the 18 months between sessions, known as the interim, the Lt. Governor and the Speaker of the House appoint committees. Each committee is given interim charges. The committees conduct comprehensive studies on issues to be deliberated in the next legislative session and report their findings and recommendations to the next legislature. Staff is assisting with research and monitoring of the committees. Some major topics for the 1997-98 interim range from criminal justice issues, such as gangs and sex offenders, to regulatory issues, like electric utility restructuring and telecommunications.
At the end of each interim, the Interim Digest is prepared by the Senate Research Center. This document contains a compilation of interim committee findings and recommendations. It is a collective effort of the staff of the Senate Research Center, with valuable assistance from other legislative offices and staff. Another document published during the interim is the Clearinghouse Update. The Clearinghouse is a publication of the Secretary of the Senate, with newsletters published twice a month. Senate Research Center staff contribute meeting summaries and articles on relevant state and national subjects of interest to the legislature for the newsletter.
Information gathered during the interim, such as committee findings and recommendations, meeting summaries, and publications, help determine and refine the focus of the forthcoming legislative session.
Northern Plains Region: Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota
Coordinator: David Ortbahn, SD, (605) 773-3251
Iowa-John Pollak
Notable activities in Iowa during 1997 include publication of legislative guides, creation of a Legislative oversight committee, and receipt of technical assistance from NCSL regarding human services restructuring. The Legislative Service Bureau is completing work on new legislative guides which provide a general survey of an area of the law, primarily for legislators and their staffs. The topics of upcoming guides include a description of animal agriculture requirements, property taxation, solid waste requirements, road use taxes, and pension law. A new joint committee was created by the bipartisan Legislative Council to "review and analyze the structure and operations of state government in providing services and enhancing the ability of the public to interact with government," with staffing provided by the Legislative Fiscal and Service Bureaus. NCSL is providing technical assistance to Iowa's two-year effort to restructure the delivery of human services. Twenty-four legislators representing human services, education, health, and justice system committees are participating in an intensive process, with citizen input, to develop a plan for restructuring state and local delivery of human services.
Minnesota-Jo Anne Zoff Sellner
Governor Arne Carlson has just called the Legislature into special session beginning October 23, 1997, to consider a proposal for financing the construction of a new stadium for the Minnesota Twins. This will be the third special session for the 1997 interim, which constitutes an extraordinary amount of extra session activity, especially since none have been called to address a budget emergency.
The first special session, held on June 26, 1997, was primarily for the purpose of passing a K-12 funding bill. The Governor had vetoed the K-12 funding bill which had been passed during the regular session to provide funding for the 1998-1999 biennium, because it did not contain provisions providing tax credits and deductions for education costs that the Governor had strongly advocated. The compromise K-12 funding bill which was enacted during the first special session include a provision which increased the amount of the deduction currently available for education-related expenditures, including expenditures for private school tuition, as well as a new credit for the cost of education-related expenses incurred by families with incomes up to $33,500. The new credit is available to cover costs of textbooks, instruction materials, personal computer hardware and software, school transportation costs, and instruction other than regular school tuition. Four other bills were passed during the special session to correct earlier errors in legislation and to address other relatively minor issues that had not been resolved in the regular session or had arisen since that time.
The second special session was held on August 19, 1997, to address the issue of providing financial assistance to communities and individuals who were affected by the flooding that occurred in the state during the spring of 1997. The flood relief bill passed both houses of the Legislature unanimously. Two other bills, addressing unresolved issues from the regular session or the first special session, were also taken up at the second special session and proved to be more controversial, but ultimately both were passed as well. One bill provided an increase in the state minimum wage and the other provided for increases in the salaries of constitutional officers, legislators, judges, and top state officials.
The third special session will address the issue of funding for a stadium for the Minnesota Twins. Recently, the owner of the Twins signed a letter of intent with a potential purchaser of the team, which would provide that the team be sold and moved to North Carolina unless the Minnesota Legislature agrees to provide financing for a new stadium prior to November 30, 1997. On October 9, 1997, a Joint Senate and House Task Force issued a recommendation that the state contribute up to $250 million to finance the basic structure of a new stadium, with the cost of the retractable roof and luxury suites to be paid by the Twins. The Task Force recommendation proposed to obtain funding for the $250 million investment from user fees related to the stadium, slot machines at the Canterbury Downs Race Track, and additional revenue from the Minnesota Lottery, but specifying that no tax revenue would be used for the stadium. The recommendation will be heard on October 14, 1997, by the Legislative Commission on Planning and Fiscal Policy, which may refine the recommendations provided by the Stadium Task Force. While the special session will begin on October 23, the procedural path to be followed by the bill, as well as the likelihood of reaching a consensus on a funding mechanism, is unclear as of the week prior to session.
Nebraska-Cynthia Johnson
In order to describe the work of the Nebraska Legislature's Research Division (otherwise known as the Legislative Research Division or LRD), it is first necessary to remind people that Nebraska is an "oddball"-or, as we prefer to see it, an exceptional-legislative body. Functioning as both a one-house (unicameral) and a nonpartisan institution, the Nebraska Legislature is smaller (49 state senators, total) and less obviously partisan than most.
Employing 14 staff, LRD provides all senators with nonpartisan, public policy and legal research, and it houses the Legislative Reference Library, as well as the Legislative Program Evaluation Unit. The office does not do bill drafting (a function performed by the Reviser of Statutes' office), nor does it have jurisdiction over committee staff. The office is fully computerized and we are looking forward this month to launching a PC-based online library catalogue which has been in the works for several years and which will be available in all senators' offices via the legislative network.
North Dakota-John Olsrud
All North Dakota legislators who wanted them have received laptop computers. During legislative sessions, legislators use computers in lieu of bill books and to obtain bill status information, for correspondence and e-mail purposes, and to get Internet access. During the interim, the computers are used by the Legislative Council staff to provide legislators with notices, agendas, and minutes of interim committee meetings. Legislators also use e-mail to communicate research requests to the Legislative Council staff.
South Dakota-David Ortbahn
This summer the research staff of the Legislative Research Council has been assisting five interim legislative committees. These committees will be completing their studies in October and November and will be making their recommendations to the 1998 Legislature. Taxation is the subject of two of the committees. One of these committees is taking a look at problems that exist in determining the value of property for property tax purposes. The other committee is pursuing ways to change the method of taxing the telecommunications industry. Hunting issues are being studied by another of the interim committees. That committee is looking at hunter and landowner relations and is pursuing ideas to increase public hunting access for hunters on public and private lands in the state. Water drainage laws and hospital licensing are the subjects being addressed by the remaining two committees. The agendas, committee minutes, and any recommendations of these interim committees can be found at the South Dakota Legislative Research Council's Internet home page at www.state.sd.us/state/legis/lrc.htm.
In addition, this summer the entire South Dakota Codified Laws and the 1997 Session Laws were added to the LRC s home page in a searchable format. Also added to the home page were Senate and House membership rosters and legislative district maps. The administrative rules of the state will be added to the home page within the next month.
Mountain Region: Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico, Utah, Wyoming
Coordinator: David Hite, CO, (303) 866-3521
Arizona-Randie Stein
Over the past several years, the Arizona State Senate has instituted several seminar series during the interim period between legislative sessions. Most recently, during the 1997 interim, we began a series of professional staff development seminars primarily for non-partisan Research Staff and Republican and Democratic Caucus Staffs. Subjects ranged from legislative topics that are integral to our jobs (i.e. parliamentary procedure and bill drafting), to state administrative issues (i.e. personnel system and procurement) that we are not exposed to directly as legislative employees but that can be significant when trying to understand issues faced by an agency.
My first observation is that the professional staff seminars have been very well attended and very useful. Fortunately, we have tapped knowledgeable and interesting speakers who have taken the time to prepare their presentations. The program has afforded the professional staff a good opportunity to interact on substantive issues (in a work environment that does not often lend itself to these interactions because each staff person's substantive expertise is distinct). Also, it has been a great training tool for new staff which, through the use of video technology, will continue to be a resource available for new employees. Finally, the program was VERY easy to put together. With a few phone calls and a couple hours of work, I was able to identify ten speakers and seminar dates and produce a short memo describing the programs. For the Senate Research Staff, this program is certainly time well spent and well worth the effort it required.
Colorado-David Hite
At the 1998 general election in Colorado, term limits will impact 27% of the legislative membership, including five of six leaders. In mustering staff resources to meet the needs of those newly elected in '98, past experience is that freshmen legislator expectations for services always stretch staff capabilities. This is especially true in Colorado where legislators receive only $1,000 a year to compensate legislative aides. One new function that our small nonpartisan research and committee staff office of Legislative Council Staff recently decided to focus on as a service to new as well as veteran legislators is constituent services. In the past, staff has answered constituent questions at the request of legislators, although we had not publicized that fact.
In January, 1997, Legislative Council Staff announced the establishment of a Constituent Services Unit. Using existing resources-1.5 employees, plus a couple of short term college interns-we said that most constituent requests would be answered by telephone or short letter. Requests for assistance could range from getting help with a state agency, to traffic laws, consumer problems, workers' compensation, and the like. We also informed legislators about what we could not do: no partisan stuff, no research on financial records or voting records, no legal opinions, and no representation of the opinions of legislators. We had no idea of the number of requests we would receive. Through the first nine months of this year, we have received some 300 requests, a very manageable number. Some 70 percent of our legislators have asked for help, although only a hand full have given us more than 10 requests each. Thankfully, many executive agencies continue to help with constituent requests and many legislators divert local issues to local officials. All in all, the response to a constituent services program has been very favorable., and we expect it to continue to grow.
Idaho-Michael McConnell
The Idaho Legislative Services Office provides customer service to legislators and constituents in many ways. Technology has helped improve and expand our efforts. For example, we provide laptop computers to legislators who request them. We also provide training for word processing, e-mail, and the Internet on those computers.
As legislators use their computers more, they expect more from them and us. The Internet has proved invaluable for meeting their demand for more information. Our philosophy is that quick access to pertinent information is critical. To that end, we are careful about how information is presented on our Web page and selective about what information is "networthy." We keep colors and graphics to a minimum to increase transmission speed. We provide pertinent legislative information in a format that is easy to locate and read. For instance, bills, statutes, and the Idaho Constitution can be retrieved by viewing a table of contents or by searching using a choice of several search methods. Addressing these seemingly minor concerns increases user satisfaction. Other substantive information we provide includes introductory information about the Idaho Legislature: its leadership; members; committees; House and Senate rules; interim committee schedules, membership and minutes; bills and other information from the last two sessions of the Legislature; voting records; and a centralized mailbox to which constituents can send e-mail messages to their senator or representative.
Two items are available on our Web page this year for the first time. We have included a draft of the charter schools bill and a reference guide to the draft, both developed by the interim committee addressing that issue. We also provide access to "Legislative Perspective," the newsletter of the Legislative Services Office. The newsletter is published monthly from April through December on paper and now on the Internet. The newsletter provides information about legislative activities during the interim. Summaries of articles are available, with hypertext links to full articles, staff contacts, minutes, and other information.
If you want to take a closer look, the Idaho Legislature's page on the World Wide Web is at http://www.state.id.us/legislat/legislat.html.
New Mexico-John Yaeger
In New Mexico, welfare reform dominates the interim agenda. The state Supreme Court on September 10 ruled that the executive exceeded its authority in attempting to implement welfare reform without legislative approval. The decision came six months after the governor vetoed legislation to enact welfare reform into law. And the state's human services secretary resigned in October following news media reports raising questions about his previous private business affairs.
Through all this, a legislative subcommittee works with two members of the executive to develop welfare reform legislation to be introduced in 1998. Issues yet to be resolved include the time limit for benefits, how soon recipients must find work to remain eligible, and what household income is counted toward a recipient's earnings. The subcommittee, which is comprised of members of the Legislative Finance Committee and the Health and Welfare Reform Committee, began work September 22 and hopes to finish by the end of November.
West Region: Alaska, California, Hawaii, Nevada, Oregon, Washington
Coordinator: Anne Tweedt, OR, (503) 986-1496
Alaska-Pamela Varni
Lawyers representing Alaska's legislature and governor will meet in court two times in upcoming months. Both cases involve vetoes. In the first, filed by the governor and now on appeal by the legislature to the Alaska Supreme Court, lawyers will argue over when is the proper time to override a governor's veto received by the legislature during a special session (Alaska's Constitution states that "bills vetoed after adjournment of the first regular session of the legislature shall be reconsidered by the legislature sitting as one body no later than the fifth day of the next regular or special session of that legislature"). The second case, filed recently by the legislature in Superior Court in Juneau, concerns Governor Knowles' vetoes of certain language in the FY98 budget bill. The governor vetoed some conditional language but not the amount of appropriation. The case will consider whether or not a governor may veto conditional language on an appropriations bill.
California-Elisabeth Kersten
The U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals has issued an opinion invalidating California's legislative term limits initiative on narrow procedural grounds, not constitutional grounds as the U.S. District Court had done. The answers to two questions now will determine whether term limits will be in effect for the 1998 elections. If they are, the leaders of both the Senate and Assembly, along with many other legislators, will be termed out next year. The questions are: Will the U.S. Supreme Court accept an appeal of the 9th Circuit's ruling? And, if so, will it allow the ruling to stand while it considers the appeal? At the same time, the courts are considering the constitutionality of the 1996 initiative that imposed contribution and spending limits in state election campaigns - it is uncertain whether this will be in effect for the 1998 election.
California continues to upgrade Capitol security to protect the ornate historic building and its inhabitants from routine crime as well as terrorism. The major improvement planned is a low wall topped by an iron fence around the building, designed to resemble the fence that originally surrounded it. The barrier will block vehicles, not pedestrians. No metal-detectors are planned to screen persons entering the Capitol.
Legislative committees are planning fall interim hearings on a wide variety of subjects including child-support enforcement, the year 2000 problem, electronic privacy, taxation of Internet transactions, health care fraud, sweatshops, welfare-reform implementation, DNA evidence, and "smoking in the movies - new wave of tobacco advertising."
Hawaii-Wendell Kimure and Yen Lew
In conjunction with the Governor, the Legislature has convened an Economic Revitalization Task Force comprised of twenty-seven business executives, union leaders, and education experts. Working groups have been established in the following areas: business climate (government culture, and land use and environmental regulations); taxation (general excise tax reform); education and workforce development (infrastructure, and connections/partnerships with the private sector); economic development (tourism, and science and high-technology sectors); and the role of government (government performance and accountability, and duplication of services). Representatives from the working groups will have finished presenting their options to the task force by the printing of this article.
The Legislature has requested interim reports from the Legislative Reference Bureau on the operations of the Agribusiness Development Corporation, the continuing education program for real estate licensees, the salary structure and pay increments for state judges, the impact of provider reimbursement assignment practices on dental costs and competition, the cost of state government programs that are mandated by the federal government, and funding options for tourism marketing and promotion.
The Legislature has established joint legislative committees to examine alternatives and propose changes to the existing state land use planning system, develop a financial plan to address the state's current and future long-term care needs, and define the income and proceeds from the pro rata portion of the public land trust that are to be expended by the office of Hawaiian affairs for the betterment of the conditions of native Hawaiians.
Nevada-Bob Erickson
For many years, Nevada has conducted biennial legislative sessions of unlimited length. The 1997 Regular Session broke all the records by lasting 169 calendar days and adjourning on July 7th. However, the Legislature approved a proposed amendment to the Nevada Constitution that would limit future sessions to 120 calendar days. Further, the proposal would require biennial sessions to begin on the first Monday of February (odd-numbered years) and the Governor to submit the proposed state budget two weeks prior to that date. It is widely believed that the voters will approve this proposal at the November 1998 General Election, which would cause the 1999 Session to come under the new provisions. Nevada's Research staff has been in contact with several other states concerning the rules and procedures necessary to conduct sessions that are limited in length.
Oregon-Anne Tweedt
Oregon has joined the term limits debate in federal court with the filing of a suit on behalf of one of twenty-four incumbents affected by the 1992 voter-approved initiative. Oregon law permits lawmakers to serve as many as three two-year House terms and two four-year Senate terms but permits no more than 12 years of total service. The suit alleges term limits infringe upon access to the ballot, by infringing on the rights of legislators and the free-speech rights of Oregonians who want to vote for them.
Twenty-three interim committees have been appointed, including the Senate Interim Budget Committee, charged with the responsibility of developing a General Fund budget in advance of the 1999 legislative session. Oregon law requires a taxpayer "kick back" of revenues exceeding 2 percent of projections. Oregonians enjoyed a return in 1995 and, later this year, will receive an estimated 14.4 percent return of their 1996 tax liability. In developing a budget proposal for the 99-01 biennium, the committee will consider potential expenditure and tax reductions.
Although vetoed by the Governor, SB 485 would have prohibited state agency employees from engaging in lobbying on behalf of any state agency or attending legislative hearings and floor sessions except during non-working hours. The measure would have allowed employees to participate in the process under certain circumstances, including at the invitation of a legislator or legislative staff. In his veto message, Governor Kitzhaber noted the need for clearer guidelines for agency employees and promised to issue an executive order detailing those guidelines prior to the next legislative session.
Washington-Ken Conte
In preparation for the 1998 session, the Washington State House of Representatives is working with International Roll Call, a vendor specializing in legislative systems and support, to install an electronic "Chamber Information System" (CIS). The CIS will provide members with electronic lawmaking information as they conduct business on the floor of the House.
Each of the 98 House members will have a laptop personal computer at his/her desk in the chamber. The CIS will present an electronic version of the floor calendar. Then, for each bill on the calendar, members will have immediate access to the text of the bill and any amendments, the bill report (analysis), the bill history, any roll call votes on the bill, and any scope and object decisions relating to the bill.
In addition, members will have access to electronic mail, their personal calendars, a variety of legislative documents (including the entire Revised Code of Washington) and other electronic reports. In conjunction with implementing the CIS, the House is also modernizing its electronic voting system.
The RACSS Newsletter is published by the Research and Committee Staff Section of the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL). Editor: Diane Bolender, IA
NCSL Staff Section Contact for RACSS: Jeanne Mejeur, 303-364-7700, or e-mail jeanne.mejeur@ncsl.org.
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