7:30 am - 5:30 pm
Regency Foyer, Ballroom Level

Registration 

8:00 am - 12:00 noon 

Pre-conference Seminars
NCSL Task Forces 

8:30 am - 11:30 am
Meet in Hyatt Lobby at
8:15 a.m. 

Tour and Briefing:  Comcast
(Sponsored by the Connecting America FSL Partners Project)
Participants will tour Comcast's head end facility in Alexandria, Virginia and see demonstrations of video, high speed Internet and digital voice, including high definition TV, digital video recorders, parental controls, and product integration. 

11:30 am - 12:45 pm
Yorktown, Ballroom Level

Luncheon: State-Federal Tax Issues: Streamlining, Telecommunications, Internet Access, and Business Activity Taxes Update
(Joint with NCSL Budgets & Revenue Committee)
In the last Congress, legislation was introduced and hearings held on a number of state tax issues.  With the change in control of Congress, what are the prospects that the 110th Congress will approve legislation giving the states authority to collect sales taxes on out of state sales, require reform of discriminatory telecommunication tax regimes, extend the moratorium on state and local taxation of access to the Internet, allow states to continue using tax policy to enhance economic development and require a physical presence for business activity taxes.  The luncheon will provide an update on these important tax issues both at the federal and state levels.

• Deborah Bierbaum, Director of External Taxation, AT&T, New Jersey
• Stephen Kranz, General Counsel, Council on State Taxation, Washington, D.C.
• Scott Peterson, Executive Director, Streamlined Sales Tax Governing Board, Washington, D.C.
• Maureen Riehl, Vice President, National Retail Federation, Washington, D.C.

11:30 am - 1:00 pm 
Olympic, Conference Level

Committee Staff Officers' Lunch 

1:00 pm - 2:30 pm
Yorktown, Ballroom Level 

Delivering Broadband: Technology Options, Costs and Funding
(Co-sponsored with the Connecting America FSL Partners Project)
This session will examine various ways of offering broadband services to communities including cable, DSL, power line, satellite, and wireless. In addition, speakers will explore the costs associated with each type of service and outline some of the funding sources available to states to encourage broadband deployment.

Moderators: 

• Senator Orville Smidt, South Dakota, Immediate Past Chair, Communications, Financial Services & Interstate Commerce Committee

• Lisa Wallmeyer, Executive Director, Joint Commission on Technology and Science, Virginia, Staff Chair, Communications, Financial Services & Interstate Commerce Committee

Speakers:  

• Emmitt Carlton, Special Counsel, Office of Intergovernmental Affairs, Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau, Federal Communications Commission, Washington, D.C.
• Richard Clarke, Assistant V.P., Regulatory Planning and Policy, AT&T, Washington, D.C.
• Peter Gulla, Vice President, Marketing, North American Division, Hughes Network Systems, Germantown, Maryland
• Lennard Kruger, Specialist in Science & Technology, Congressional Research Service, Washington, D.C.
• Ron McMillan, Regional Vice President of Governmental Affairs, Time-Warner Cable - Texas Region, Houston, Texas
• Joe Nipper, Senior Vice President, Government Relations, American Public Power Association, Washington, D.C.
• Jim Schuler, Assistant Vice President, Policy, CTIA - The Wireless Association, Washington, D.C.

Handouts:

• Speaker Biographies
• Broadband Data Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (FCC 07-17)
• Broadband Deployment Notice of Inquiry (FCC 07-21)
• Seattle's Broadband Role - Peter Gulla's presentation
• Connecting America - Ron McMillan's presentation
• DSL Overview - Richard Clarke's presentation

2:30 pm - 4:00 pm
Yorktown, Ballroom Level 

Interchange Fees/Merchants Fees: What Are They and Who Pays? (CLE)
Every time a consumer makes a purchase using a credit or debit card, the merchant pays an interchange fee, a percentage on the transaction price including all state and local sales taxes. The fee is to cover the banks' processing costs. However, questions have arisen about the fee structure, what it pays for and whether it should be applied to the sales tax portion of the transaction. Legislation has been introduced in a few states and the U.S. Senate has held a hearing on interchange fees. Come hear a lively debate on the issues surrounding interchange fees.

Moderator:

• Senator Delores Kelley, Maryland, Vice Chair, Communications, Financial Services & Interstate Commerce Committee

Speakers:  

• Tim Amos, Senior Vice President & General Counsel, Tennessee Bankers Association, Tennessee
• Mallory Duncan, Senior Vice President & General Counsel, National Retail Federation, Washington, D.C.
• Rick Fischer, Morrison & Foerster, Washington, D.C.
• John Motley, Senior Vice President, Government & Public Affairs, FMI, Washington, D.C.

Handouts:

• Interchange Fees: What Are They and Who Pays? - Tim Amos and Rick Fisher's presentation
• Mallory Duncan and John Motley's presentation
• 2005-2007 Credit Cards and Merchant Fees Legislation
• Speaker Biographies

4:00 pm - 5:00 pm 
Regency A, Ballroom Level

General Session
Renewal of the Nation's Farm Bill: The Administration's Perspective
Debate over a new farm bill has begun to intensify. Secretary Johanns, former governor of Nebraska, will offer the administration's priorities for re-shaping this centerpiece of agriculture and nutrition policy.
Speaker:  The Honorable Mike Johanns, Secretary of Agriculture, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Washington, D.C.

Voting Rights Act Initiative
Mr. Kim will announce the launch of a new Office of Civil Rights initiative aimed at states currently covered under Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act. He will also briefly detail other Office of Civil Rights initiatives.
Speaker:  The Honorable Wan J. Kim, Assistant U.S. Attorney General, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, D.C.

5:15 pm - 6:00 pm 
Columbia B, Ballroom Level

Steering Committee Meeting
The Steering Committee is comprised of the Overall Standing Committee Officers and the Chair and Staff Chair, or their designee, of each Standing Committee. This meeting will review the Committees’ plans for the Forum and preview any policies anticipated for debate and make determinations regarding joint and re-referral of the resolutions. 

5:15 pm - 6:15 pm
Yellowstone/Everglades, Conference Level 

Connecting America Foundation for State Legislatures (FSL) Partners Project Business Meeting
Connecting America project members will discuss project deliverables and plan the agenda for future partners meetings.
Presiding: Senator Orville Smidt, South Dakota, Immediate Past Chair, Communications, Financial Services & Interstate Commerce Committee  

6:15 pm - 7:30 pm 
Regency A, Ballroom Level

Reception at the Hyatt Regency

7:30 pm

Reception/Dinner for Members of the Communications, Financial Services & Interstate Commerce Committee
Sponsored by National Cable & Telecommunications Association, Washington, D.C.
Explore “Cable Innovates” at the Broadband Home, a showcase for advanced technology and programming services as well as National Cable & Telecommunications  Association's state-of-the-art HD Theater featuring scenes from Discovery Communications’ groundbreaking new series “Planet Earth.”

National Cable & Telecommunications  Association Building
25 Massachusetts Avenue, NW Suite 100

7:00 am - 5:00 pm 
Regency Foyer, Ballroom Level

Registration 

8:00 am - 9:30 am 
Regency A, Ballroom Level

General Breakfast Session - The New Political Terrain: The Administration's Perspective
The Bush administration's most pressing domestic priorities have significant implications for state officials. A prominent representative of the administration will comment on the altered landscape and its effects on the states.
Speaker: Honorable Charles B. Rangel-NY, Chair, U.S. House Ways & Means Committee

9:45 am - 11:15 am
Yorktown, Ballroom Level 

Competition in Local Telecom Markets: Do Americans have a Real Choice?
NCSL’s policy statement, “Telecommunications in the Twenty-First Century” expires at the 2007 Annual Meeting. The Committee will continue its review of the policy statement begun at the Fall Forum last December by looking at the status of competition in the local telecom marketplace.

Moderator:

• Assemblyman Upendra Chivukula, New Jersey, Chair, Communications, Financial Services & Interstate Commerce Committee

Speakers:

• Mike Bennett, Executive Director of Consumer and External Affairs, Cingular Wireless (AT&T), Washington, DC
• Brian Ford, Policy Analyst, OPASTCO, Washington, D.C.
• Link Hoewing, Executive Director, Verizon, Washington, D.C.
• Marcus Maher, Acting Associate Chief, Wireline Competition Bureau, Federal Communications Commission, Washington, D.C.
• Joe Waz, Vice President, External Affairs and Public Policy Counsel, Comcast Corporation, Pennsylvania

Handouts:

• Wireless Industry - Mike Bennett's presentation
• Residential Communications Competition - Link Hoewing's presentation
• Compeition in the Local Telcom Markets - Stephen Seitz's presentation

Banning Political Robocalls (CLE)
In 2006, voters in "swing states" were bombarded by automated messages telling them how to vote. Because angry voters appealed to legislators, many states now are considering limits on so-called campaign Robocalls. 
Moderator: Representative Grier Martin, North Carolina
Speakers: Jerry Cerasale, Vice President of Government Affairs, Direct Marketing Association, Washington, D.C.
Milo Cividanes, Attorney, Venable LLP, Washington, D.C.

11:15 am - 11:30 am 

Break

Box lunches will be available. 

11:30 am - 1:00 pm
Yorktown, Ballroom Level 

Fighting off Foreclosures:  The Implications of Subprime Mortgage Loans
With the recent wave of subprime, or high risk mortgages making headlines across the nation, Congress has taken notice and started demanding answers regarding lending practices to high risk borrowers. Who is responsible for the crisis? What are states doing to ensure the integrity and solvency of lending institutions? How are states reacting to the mortgage oversight recommendations that many federal regulators and lenders are suggesting? Come here a lively discussion on the recent developments, consequences and future of subprime lending.

Presiding:

• Mike Sunseri, Kentucky, Staff Vice Chair, Communications, Financial Services & Interstate Commerce Committee 

Speakers:

• James Ballentine, Director, Grassroots and Community Outreach, American Bankers Association, Washington, D.C.
• Harry Dinham, President, National Association of Mortgage Brokers, McLean, Virginia
• Christopher Kukla, Director of State Legislative Affairs, Center for Responsible Lending, Durham, North Carolina
• Steve O’Connor, Senior Vice President for Public Policy, Mortgage Bankers Association, Washington, D.C.
• John Ryan, Executive Vice President, Conference of State Bank Supervisors, Washington, D.C.

Handouts:

• Speaker Biographies
• Foreclosure Data for Subprime Mortgage Loans - Christopher Kukla's presentation
• State Predatory Mortgage Lending Laws & Legislation
• 2007 State Foreclosure Legislation

1:00 pm - 1:15 pm 

Break 

1:15 pm - 2:45 pm
Yorktown, Ballroom Level 

Title Insurance: Do You Get What You Pay For?
Concerns are growing regarding potential abuses in the title insurance industry after more than a dozen title insurers settled with regulators over industry sales practices in the last few years. Are consumers paying too much for services that they don't understand? This session will examine current regulation of title insurance and explore options for informing and protecting consumers.

Moderator:

• Jonathan Ball, Utah, Staff Vice Chair, Communications, Financial Services & Interstate Commerce Committee

Speakers:

• Barbara Blitz, American Land Title Association, Virginia
• J. Robert Hunter, Consumer Federation of America, Washington, D.C.
• Loyd Ogle, Iowa Title Guaranty Division, Iowa
• Eric Sonnichsen, Government Relations Legislative Associate, National Association of Insurance Commissioners, Washington, D.C. 

Handouts:

• Speaker Biographies
• Title Insurance Overview - Ethan Sonnichsen's presentation
• Title Insurance - J. Robert Hunter's presentation

1:15 pm - 2:45 pm 
Valley Forge, Ballroom Level

Basics of Blogging:  How to Blog with the Best of Them
(Sponsored by the Legislative Effectiveness Committee)
This session will provide practical help with setting up and running a blog. In addition, legislators will explain how they are using this new technology to communicate with constituents and others.

Moderator:

• Paul W. Taylor, Chief Strategy Officer, Center for Digital Government, California

Speakers: 

• Delegate Kristen Amundson, Virginia
• Sharon Crouch Steidel, Director, Information Systems, House of Delegates, Virginia
• Karl Kurtz, Director, NCSL Trust for Representative Democracy Division, NCSL

Handouts:

• Meeting Summary

2:45 pm - 3:00 pm 

Break 

3:00 pm - 4:30 pm
Yorktown, Ballroom Level 

Data Protection: Will Congress Get it Right?
In the last Congress, committee fights over jurisdiction kept any security breach/data protection legislation from being sent to the President’s desk. In the meantime, at least 35 states have enacted statutes to protect consumers' personal data. Industry is concerned about the “patchwork of state laws” and is still seeking a national system for dealing with security breaches and protecting data and privacy. Will the 110th Congress be able to bypass committee fiefdoms? Will states be preempted? Will states be allowed to enforce federal standards? Should financial data be included in an overall data protection standard? These questions will be debated as the NCSL Committee begins review of its policy statement on “The Internet and Electronic Commerce.”

Moderator:

• Representative Phil Montgomery, Wisconsin, Vice Chair, Communications, Financial Services & Interstate Commerce Committee

Speakers:  

• Jessica Rich, Assistant Director for Financial Practices, Bureau of Consumer Protection, Federal Trade Commission, Washington, D.C.
• Elizabeth Oesterlee, Senior Director, Government Relations Counsel, National Retail Federation, Washington, D.C.
• Leslie Wooley, Vice President, Congressional Relations and International Banking, Conference of State Bank Supervisors, Washington, D.C.

4:30 pm - 5:15 pm
Yorktown, Ballroom Level 

Committee Business Meeting
Committee will consider three Action Calendar Resolutions:

• NCSL Opposes S. 681/ H.R. 1081 – The Insurance Industry Competition Act
• NCSL Supports and Urges Enactment of the Sales Tax Fairness and Simplification Act
• NCSL Opposes Preemption of State Customer Service Standards in Video Franchising Regulation

The Committee also will discuss developing issues and what work remains before the Committee as we prepare for the Annual Meeting in Boston, August 5-9, 2007.

Presiding:

• Assemblyman Upendra Chivukula, New Jersey, Chair, Communications, Financial Services & Interstate Commerce Committee
• Lisa Wallmeyer, Executive Director, Joint Commission on Technology and Science, Virginia, Staff Chair, Communications, Financial Services & Interstate Commerce Committee 

5:15 pm - 6:15 pm 
Congressional A, Lobby Level

Steering Committee Meeting
Standing Committee Chairs and Staff Chairs, as members of the Steering Committee, should plan to attend. The Steering Committee will review policy statements reported out of Committees and determine the calendars for the Spring Forum Business Meeting on Saturday. 

6:30 pm - 8:00 pm

Reception at the Caucus Room in the Russell Senate Office Building
The Senate Caucus Room in the Russell Senate Office Building, an excellent example of the Beaux Arts style of architectural design, is one of the most historic rooms in the U.S. Capitol complex. Many of the most famous Senate hearings were held there, including the Vietnam War, the Teapot Dome Oil Reserves scandal, Watergate, and the Supreme Court nomination of Clarence Thomas.

The Russell building is a short walk from the Hyatt Regency Capitol Hill hotel; however, some bus transportation will also be provided. Badges MUST be worn to the reception for admittance to the Russell building.

8:00 am - 11:00 am 
Regency Foyer, Ballroom Level

Registration 

8:30 am - 10:00 am 
Regency A, Ballroom Level

General Session Breakfast
NCSL expresses its appreciation to the Women's Legislative Network of NCSL and to Susan G. Komen for the Cure for support for this general session.

Susan G. Komen for the Cure Presentation
9:00 am - 9:15 am
Hear about recent state breast cancer policy successes, keys to improving state breast cancer policy and the need for states to address breast cancer treatment policy. Learn how states can partner with local Komen Affiliates and advocates to make a difference in the lives of women and families who are facing the disease.

Speakers: 

• Representative Dan Frankel, Pennsylvania
• Shelley Fuld Nasso, Director of Public Policy, Susan G. Komen for the Cure, Dallas, Texas
• Margaret Larson, Director of Illinois Governor's Office in Washington, D.C.

The Pollster Presentation
9:15 am - 10:30 am
Come hear what two expert pollsters have to say about the new Congress and their forecast for the 2008 elections. Kellyanne Conway and Celinda Lake are co-authors of What Women Really Want: How American Women Are Quietly Erasing Political, Racial, Class and Religious Lines to Change the Way We Live.

Speakers: 

• Kellyanne Conway, President and CEO, The Polling Company Inc., Washington, D.C.
• Celinda Lake, President, Lake Research Partners, Washington, D.C.

10:00 am - 10:45 am 
Regency A, Ballroom Level

Implementing Real ID

The Department of Homeland Security recently issued proposed regulations intended to implement the Real ID law. This is an opportunity to learn about the regulations from the department's perspective and pose questions for the Assistant Secretary.
Speaker: The Honorable Richard C. Barth, Ph.D., Assistant Secretary for the Office of Policy Development, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Washington, D.C.

10:45 am - 11:30 am
Capitol Room A, Lobby Level A

Business Meeting:  Debate and Voting on Official Policy Statements and Resolutions
Forum delegates will debate and vote on NCSL's policy statements and resolutions passed out of the committees. All Forum participants are invited to attend.

Chair:                                                                       

Assemblyman Upendra J. Chivukula
New Jersey

Vice Chairs:

Senator Ron Amstutz  
Ohio

Senator Steve Faris
Arkansas

Representative Bill Huizenga
Michigan 

Senator Delores Kelley
Maryland

Representative Phil King 
Texas

Representative Phil Montgomery
Wisconsin

Senator Delbert Scott
Missouri

House Speaker Pro Tem Sylvester Turner
Texas

Immediate Past Chairs:

Senator Orville B. Smidt
South Dakota

Senator Ruth Teichman
Kansas

Staff Chair:

Lisa Wallmeyer
Executive Director
Joint Commission on Technology & Science
Virginia

Staff Vice Chairs:

Jonathan C. Ball
Deputy Director
Office of the Legislative Fiscal Analyst
Utah

John Hedegard
Counsel, Financial Institutions & Insurance Committee
House Office of Program Research
Washington

Mike Sunseri
Public Information Photo Director
Legislative Research Commission
Kentucky

Immediate Past Staff Chair:

Dave Larson
Director, Legislative Computer
Services, Kansas