Monday, August 14

Energy Policy Summit

Tennessee Ballroom C -- Level 2 Gaylord Opryland Conference Center

The nation is burdened with high energy prices due to natural disasters, infrastructure constraints and demand growth. How do we move forward?  What should the nation's energy mix look like in 2050?  Working with energy experts, summit participants will develop action items that they can use to develop their own energy strategies, while at the same time providing a framework for national efforts in this area. The nation is poised to discover new approaches to meeting our energy needs.  Come be a part of developing a vision for America’s energy future. Reception follows.

Prospects for Leasing State Owned Assets to the Private Sector:  A Discussion
(Sponsored by: National Association of Legislative Fiscal Officers)

The recent leasing of publicly owned transportation assets in Chicago and Indiana have raised the interest of public officials in the leasing of capital assets to the private sector.  This session will provide an opportunity to discuss the issues involved in leasing state owned assets to the private sector.

Presiding:  John O'Brien, Deputy Director, Legislative Budget Board, Texas

Speakers: Tyler Duvall, Assistant Secretary for Policy, U.S. Department of Transportation, Washington, D.C.
Scott Trommer, Ratings Analyst, Fitch Ratings, New York
Ryan Kitchell, Public Finance Director, Indiana Finance Authority, Indiana

Steering Committee (Committee Officers)

Tuesday, August 15

7:30 am

Continental Breakfast

Opening General Session--Economic Success in a Competitive World
Delta Ballroom A--Level 2 Gaylord Opryland Resort and Comvention Center

The challenge of economic competition in a global economy can inspire great ideas, make a company great, generate government inovations, and create prosperity. At this session, panelists will explore strategies for success.

Presiding: Senator Steve Rauschenberger, Illinois, President, NCSL

Moderator: Matthew Kisber, Commissioner, Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development, Nashville, Tennessee

Speaker: James Sasser, Former Ambassador to China, Washington, D.C.
Frederick W. Smith, Chairman of the Board, FedEx Corporation, Memphis, Tennessee
U.S. Representative John Tanner, Union City, Tennessee

Transportation Committee Convenes

Governor's Ballroom A, Level 2, Gaylord Opryland Conference Center

Welcome, Opening Remarks, and Introductions

Senator Mary Margaret Haugen, Washington, Committee Chair
Hal Greer, JLARC, Virginia, Staff Chair

10:20 am - 11:15 am 

State-Tribal Transportation Challenges

Transportation infrastructure is key to economic success of any community.  In Indian Country transportation planning is often a difficult process involving limited funding and resources.  This session will examine transportation challenges facing tribal governments including funding issues and the use of fuel tax revenues.

Presiding:  Representative Dan Silva, New Mexico

Speakers: Colleen Jollie, Washington State Department of Transportation, Washington
Kelly Croman, Squaxin Island Legal Department, Washington

11:15 am - 12:15 pm

REAL ID Committee Policy Session

The committee will take up a proposed policy relating to implementation of the REAL ID Act.

Presiding:  Senator Mary Margaret Haugen, Washington

12:15 pm - 1:30 pm 

Working Lunch

(Box lunches available)

Motorcycle and Unconventional Vehicle Safety

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger's recent motorcycle crash brought attention to motorcycle safety and helmet use.  This session will explore motorcycle safety in general and also address the increase in use of unconventional vehicles like pocket bikes and motorized scooters.  The new federal incentive program for motorcycle safety will also be discussed.

Presiding:  Representative Sherman Packard, New Hampshire

Speakers:  Deborah Hersman, Board Chairman, National Transportation Safety Board, Washington, D.C.
Diane Wigle, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Washington, D.C.
Jeff Hennie, Vice President Government Relations, Motorcycle Riders Foundation.

1:30 pm - 2:30 pm 

Solving Traffic Congestion

Experts estimate that traffic congestion delays travelers by 3.7 billion hours each year, resulting in 2.3 billion gallons of wasted fuel and $65 billion in additional costs.  What, if anything, can states do? This session will explore the traffic congestion problem and provide potential solutions for state lawmakers.

Presiding:  John Snyder, Kentucky

Speakers:  Regina McElroy, Acting Director For the Office of Transportation Management, Federal Highway Administration.
Ed Cole, Chief of the Bureau of Environment & Planning, Tennessee Department of Transportation.

2:30 pm - 3:30 pm 

The Reliance of Energy Fuel Suppliers on Transportation Infrastructure
(Joint with the Energy Committee)

How are fuel supplies linked to railroad infrastructure?  What are the impacts on fuel price and availability as well as new power plant planning and construction?

Presiding: Representative Carl Holmes, Kansas

Speakers: Craig Rockey, Vice President for Policy and Economics, Association of American Railroads, Washington, D.C.
Roger Kranenburg, Edison Electric Institute, Washington, D.C. (invited).

3:45 pm - 5:15 pm 

Transportation Funding
(Joint with Budgets and Revenue Committee and National Association of Legislative Fiscal Offices)

Governor's Ballroom A, Level 2, Gaylord Opryland Conference Center

States face significant transportation funding obstacles.  Substantial investment is needed to maintain and improve the nation's surface transportation system.  But, funding is more uncertain as gas taxes lose their value against inflation and other resources are consumed by different priorities.  This session will explore transportation funding challenges and options for state lawmakers.  Copies of the just-published NCSL book, Surface Transportation Funding Options for States will be available.  

Presiding:  Senator Mary Margaret Haugen, Washington

Speakers:  Jack Basso, Director, Management & Business Development, American Association of State Highway Transportation Officials, Washington, D.C.
Joe Morris, Senior Program Officer, Transportation Research Board, Washington, D.C
Matt Sundeen, Program Principal, NCSL, Colorado

5:30 pm - 6:30 pm 

Steering Committee (Committee Officers)  

Delta Ballroom B, Level 2 Gaylord Opryland Conference Center

6:30 pm - 8:30 pm 

Welcome Reception--Music City Country Fair

Country Music Hall of Fame and Hall of Fame Park

Wednesday, August 16

Walk for Wellness. Come hear Eddie George speak and plan to participate in the 5K Run/Walk.

The former Tennessee Titans running back will kick off the Walk for Wellness.  The Walk for Wellness is dedicated to raising awareness of the devastating effects conditions like heart disease, diabetes and obesity have for our nation as a whole, while drawing special attention to the health disparities that exist in minority and underserved communities.  (*Buses will depart from the Gaylord Opryland Hotel at 6:30 am on Wednesday, August 16 to take participants to the Gaylord Springs Golf Course. The Walk for Wellness will begin at 6:45 am, and buses will return to the hotel at 8:00 am.)

7:30 am - 9:00 am

General Session

Doris Kearns Goodwin 

Doris Kearns Goodwin is a world-renowned historian and author who has been reporting on politics and baseball for more than two decades. Her most recent book, Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln, has been #1 on the New York Times Best Seller List and will be released as a feature film by Steven Spielberg late this year, with Liam Neeson as Lincoln. She will be available to sign copies following the session.

10:15 am - 11:45 am 

Transportation Standing Committee Convenes

Presiding: Senator Mary Margaret Haugen, Washington, NCSL Transportation Committee Chair

10:15 am - 11:45 am 

Linking Land Use and Transportation

This session will take a closer look at growth management programs and initiatives in Oregon and Tennessee and touch on new planning requirements outlined in SAFETEA-LU.

Presiding: Senator Bruce Starr, Oregon

Speakers:  Lane Shetterly, Director, Oregon's Department of Land Conservation and Development, Oregon  
Ken Belliveau, Tennessee Advisory Commission on Intergovernmental Relations, Tennessee
Larry Andersen, Team Leader, Office of Planning, Federal Highway Administration, Washington, D.C.

11:30 am - 12:45 pm

Exhibit Hall Lunch

1:00 pm - 2:30 pm 

Concurrent Sessions

Choose from several timely topics

2:45 pm - 4:15 pm 

Concurrent Sessions 

Choose from several timely topics

5:30 pm - 7:00 pm

Boston Promotional Event

Join us for a preview of the NCSL Boston 2007 meeting as we showcase the best of Massachusetts from Boston to the Berkshires. Enjoy regional foods and beverages from Boston's most famous restaurants, vineyards and breweries and experience a sampling of the history and culture of this great state.

States' Night (various locations)

Thursday, August 17

6:15 am - 8:25 pm

For the second year in a row, legislators, spouses and staff will have the option of participating in a 10-mile, leisurely NCSL Bipartisan Bike Ride. Free loaner helmets and bicycles will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis. The ride will take place along Nashville's scenic Stones River Greenway.  (For more information or to RSVP, visit their web site at http://www.biketexas.org/ncsl. Or call BikeTexas at (800) 730-0533 or email ncsl@biketexas.org - Subject Heading: NCSL registration. This event is being hosted by Senator Rodney Ellis, Texas and Senator Jim Tracy, Tennessee).

Continental Breakfast

8:15 am - 9:45 am

Concurrent Sessions - Choose from several topics

10:00 am - 11:45 am

Business Meeting

All legislators and legislative staff will want to attend this centerpiece of the Annual Meeting.  All other annual meeting participants are welcome to attend as observers. The business meeting is the culmination of the conference year. It includes debate on policy resolutions that will guide NCSL in lobbying the federal government in the year to come, as well as election of NCSL officers and approval of the conference budget.

Presiding: Senator Don Balfour, Georgia, Chair, NCSL Standing Committees
Senator Steven Rauschenberger, Illinois, President, NCSL

Speaker: Michael Chertoff, Director, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Washington, D.C.

11:45 am - 2:00 pm

Legislative Staff Luncheon

Speaker: Pat Summitt, University of Tennessee Women's Basketball Coach

Democrats Lunch

Republicans Lunch 

2:15 pm - 4:00 pm

Transportation Concurrent Sessions 

REAL ID: What Next for States?  A Public Hearing on the REAL ID

Bayou A--Level M (Mezzanine) Gaylord Opryland Convention Center

Beginning May 11, 2008, states will be required to issue driver’s licenses (DL) and identification (ID) cards that comply with the federal REAL ID Act.  After that date, driver's licenses and ID cards from non-compliant states will not be recognized by the federal government for federal purposes, including as identification for boarding a commercial aircraft.

This hearing will review the REAL ID Act's requirements, provide information about REAL ID costs, and include an opportunity for public comment.   NCSL will consider the statements received at the session as it develops its response to the proposed rules and potential legislative changes for the 110^th Congress.  Please contact molly.ramsdell@ncsl.org or matt.sundeen@ncsl.org  if you are interested in providing testimony.  Comments will be limited to 3-5 minutes.  Written testimony is welcome from those unable to attend.   A summary of the proceedings, including both oral and written testimony, will be published on NCSL’s Web site following the meeting.

Presiding: Senator Leticia van de Putte, Texas, NCSL Incoming President.

Remarks:  Senator Mary Margaret Haugen, Washington
Representative Sherman Packard, New Hampshire
Senator Thomas Wyss, Indiana 

Exhibit Hall Event

4:15 pm - 5:30 pm

Ancillary Sessions

6:30 pm - 9:30 pm 

Tennessee Center Stage--Starring LeAnn Rimes

Legislative Plaza

Friday, August 18

8:30 am - 10:00 am

Peter Hart has been one of the country's leading public opinion analysts for more than 27 years. He conducts all public opinion polling for NBC News and The Wall Street Journal. His focus is public policy, cultural and social issues, and strategic consulting for corporations, including Time Warner, Microsoft, Kodak to name a few.

Frank Luntz is one of the most honored communications professionals in America today. Named one of the four Top Research Minds by Business Week magazine, he pioneered the Instant Response focus group research technique, and won an Emmy Award in 2001 for his 100 Days, 1000 Voices segments on NBC's primary and election night coverage.

10:15 am - 12:15 pm

Special Briefings:

Speakers: Robert Bixby, Executive Director, The Concord Coalition, Arlington, Virginia
Brian Riedl, Senior Policy Analyst in Federal Budgetary Affairs, The Heritage Foundation, Washington, D.C.
Diane Lim Rogers, Research Director, Budgeting for National Priorities, Brookings Institution, Washington, D.C.
David Walker, Comptroller General of the United States, Government Accounting Office, Washington, D.C.

Annual Meeting Ends