July 12, 2005
10 Sessions Not To Miss at NCSL’s Annual Meeting
From end-of-life issues to gaming and driver distraction,
convention promotes discussion of current state legislative debates
DENVER - 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. At the National Conference of State Legislatures’ Annual Meeting in Seattle August 16-20, legislators can share their strategies with each other and learn from experts. Journalists, too, can benefit from the smorgasbord of policy sessions the meeting offers. More than 150 are scheduled. Here are 10 your readers, viewers or listeners just might thank you for attending.
- Beyond the Schiavo Case: Revisiting End-of-Life Issues. The national spotlight on Terry Schiavo heightened awareness of end-of-life decisions and public policies. This session reviews state and federal activities, and examines emerging trends in health care proxies, advance directives and legal issues surrounding life-sustaining medical procedures.
- Solving Traffic Congestion. Learn how intelligent transportation systems, particularly improvements in transportation operations, can cut traffic congestion in your state.
- The Promises and Pitfalls of Gaming. How important are gaming revenues to states? What are the fiscal and economic implications? Does international law affect state decisions? This session offers answers to these and related questions.
- Technology & Privacy: Update on RFID. In 2005, at least 11 states introduced privacy legislation relating to the use of radio frequency ID technology (RFID). These small tags containing wireless tracking devices can be used by government and businesses to provide efficiencies in production, procurement, asset tracking, document management, waste management, and ID security. But the technology also raises concerns that the tags could be linked to personal information. Speakers will examine the policy issues RFID raises and discuss proposed state legislation.
- The Price of People: Combating Human and Sex Trafficking. The international problem of trafficking of persons, often women and children who are being forced into prostitution, is one now being addressed by states. This session will explore state and federal efforts to combat this form of human slavery, including response to exploitation in the aftermath of the Asian tsunami.
- Implementing The REAL ID Act: What's Next for State Driver's Licenses? After the passage of the REAL ID Act, states have less than three years to meet rigid federal standards for driver's licenses and identification cards, or face their invalidation for official federal purposes. The clock is ticking as states plan to implement these costly mandates and assess what the act means for privacy and civil liberties.
- States Respond to National Focus on Pensions: Where Do We Go From Here? Increased attention to the nation's pension system has raised new questions about state and local pensions, their solvency, investments and standing in the markets, as well as concerns about foreign investments, potential terrorist links, pension fund activism in corporate governance, and the way the possible insolvency of the PBGC may affect public pensions.
- Cameras in the Capitol: The Legislative Perspective on Live TV Coverage. The National Association of Public Affairs Networks has launched a campaign, "50 States, 50 Networks," with the goal of providing C-SPAN-style gavel-to-gavel televised coverage of the legislature in each state. How are these broadcasts paid for, and what's their effect on public perceptions, public policy, and civic engagement?
- The Methamphetamine Crisis. Methamphetamine is a highly addictive and fast-growing drug of choice in many states. This session will explore legislative strategies to regulate chemicals used to produce meth and to put in place effective enforcement efforts to deal with this threat.
- Driver Distraction: How Much is Too Much? Driver distraction is blamed for almost one third of vehicle crashes and as many as 10,000 deaths a year. Many things distract, but new communications, information and entertainment technologies in cars over the last decade are getting increased notice. This session looks at recent findings and state, federal and local initiatives to deal with them.
NCSL’s Annual Meeting will be at the Washington State Convention and Trade Center. Attendance is free to credentialed members of the media, but registration is required. Registration forms are online at www.ncsl.org/programs/press/2005/home.htm.
NCSL is the bipartisan organization that serves the legislators and staffs of the states, commonwealths and territories. It provides research, technical assistance and opportunities fro policymakers to exchange ideas on the most pressing state issues and is an effective and respected advocate for the interests of the states in the American federal system.
###
|
Contacts
Gene Rose
Public Affairs Director
303-364-7700
Bill Wyatt
Public Affairs Manager
202-624-8667
Nicole Moore
Media Specialist
303-364-7700
More Resources
|
