Annual Meeting Session Summaries

Miss a session? We provide summaries of some the NCSL Annual Meeting sessions. Check out our evolving list.

Illinois Senator Takes Helm of NCSL

Illinois Senator Steve Rauschenberger today became the president of NCSL. He accepted the gavel from Maryland Delegate John Adams Hurson.

Virginia Senator Honored at NCSL Annual Meeting

President Pro Tempore of the Virginia Senate John Chichester received the nation's top state legislative honor at NCSL's Annual Meeting.

Utah State Legislature Wins "Online Democracy Award"

Utah's state legislative Web site was recognized for its design, content and technology at the NCSL 2005 Annual Meeting.

Gates Urges Legislators to Strengthen Education

Bill Gates urged state legislators on Wednesday to strengthen K-12 education systems in order to both keep the nation competitive and to attract bright minds to their states.

Federal Preemption A Disturbing Trend

Calling on Congress to resist the urge to preempt state authority, the nation's state lawmakers kicked off their 'Strong States, Strong Nation' Annual Meeting today.

State Budget Crisis Ebbs NCSL Fiscal Survey Shows

State budgets are healthier than they've been in 5 years thanks to improving revenues and careful balancing of priorities by state legislators across the country, a new report shows.

Legislators Serving in Military Honored

Fourteen state legislators and state legislative staff from 12 states who were called into service during recent military actions were awarded the NCSL Medal of Civic Honor today.

Washington State Speakers to Share Expertise at National Gathering of State Lawmakers

Washington's governor, legislators, attorney general, business leaders, academics, advocates and other government officials will take center stage at the National Conference of State Legislatures' "Strong States Strong Nation" annual meeting, August 16-20 in Seattle.

Logistical Information for Reporters at NCSL’s 2005 Annual Meeting

If you’re covering the nation’s largest annual gathering of state legislators and policy experts, you’ll want some advance logistical information to guide you through the five-day, 150-session information extravaganza. Find out how to register, where to find the press room and when press conferences will take place.

Early Learning Seminar to Highlight Advances in Neuroscience, Economics and State Policy

A half-day seminar on early learning next week will enable scientists, researchers, policy experts and state leaders to present their views and latest findings. The child care and early education project of the National Conference of State Legislatures presents “Breakthroughs in Early Learning: Advances in Science, Economics, and State Policy,” in Seattle on August 16, 2005.

Bill Gates Headlines List of Presenters at NCSL's "Strong States, Strong Nation" Meeting

Bill Gates, Uwe Reinhardt and Mara Liasson headline the National Conference of State Legislatures’ “Strong States, Strong Nation” 2005 Annual Meeting. The topics they’ll talk about: technology, health and the state-federal balance that makes our country strong, represent the diversity of the issues that will be discussed at the Seattle meeting August 16 to 21.

10 Sessions Not To Miss at NCSL’s Annual Meeting

So many of the laws that affect the daily lives of Americans are born in state legislatures. From protecting privacy to easing traffic congestion and reigning in methamphetamine use, state lawmakers are finding solutions to pressing policy debates.

Seattle Summer Meetings Provide Rare Opportunities for Statehouse Journalists

Let story ideas take root at the National Conference of State Legislatures’ 2005 “Strong States, Strong Nation” Annual Meeting this summer. Let them flourish next door at the Capitolbeat reporters’ convention. These meetings will overlap in Seattle this summer.

Architects of Public Policy Converge in Seattle in August for NCSL's "Strong States, Strong Nation" Meeting

The designers of public policy will meet in Seattle this August to share ideas and learn from experts about how best to build and maintain sturdy state governments.