Sunday, August 5

8:00 am - 5:00 pm
North Lobby

Registration

8:30 am - 4:00 pm
Room 258 A

Energy Policy Summit 

At this year’s Summit, participants will focus on climate change, a priority issue that was determined at the last Energy Policy Summit.  This full day meeting is an opportunity for legislators to hear from nationally-recognized experts on rising energy demand, the need for new supply for electricity generation and transportation fuels, and how environmental and economic impacts play a role in policy and decision-making.  Transportation Committee members are encouraged to participate.

For more information on the Energy Policy Summit go to: http://www.ncsl.org/programs/energy/EnergySummit807.htm

Room 258 B

Energy, Environment and Transportation Reception

Join the Energy, Environment and Transportation Group at NCSL at a cocktail reception for legislators, legislative staff and private sector partners.   

Room 210 A

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 Annual Meeting, preview any policies anticipated for debate, and make determinations regarding joint and re-referral of the resolutions.

Monday, August 6

6:30 am - 8:00 am
Gather at the northeast corner of Copley Plaza on Boylston Street, near the church at 6:30 a.m.

Third Annual Bipartisan Bike Ride

Pedal your way through history during the third annual NCSL Bipartisan Bike Ride. Free loaner bicycles will be provided on a first-registered, first-served basis, and new helmets will be distributed to all participants. More information on the bike route and sponsors will be forthcoming.

7:00 am - 5:00 pm 
North Lobby

Exhibit Hall A

 Exhibit Hall Open

7:30 am - 9:30 am
Ballroom Foyer

Continental Breakfast:  Networking Roundtables   

8:30 am - 10:15 am 
Room 258 B

Transportation Standing Committee Convenes

Presiding: 

Senator Bruce Starr, Oregon, Committee Chair
John Snyder, Legislative Research Commission, Kentucky, Staff Chair

Welcome, Introductions and Review of Committee Agenda

Waterways and Ports: Gateways to Commerce

Mike Leone, Port Director, Massport Maritime, Massachusetts
Senator Steven A. Baddour, Chair, Massachusetts Joint Committee on Transportation, Massachusetts
Julie Nelson, Deputy Administrator, U.S. Maritime Administration (MARAD), District of Columbia
Captain Liam Slein, U.S. Coast Guard, District of Columbia

10:30 am - 12:00 pm
Grand Ballroom

General Session 

The Big Squeeze: The Challenges to Higher Education

American higher education has been the envy of the world. But new pressures--a generation of new students that include many minorities, rising costs and strained state funding--are risking not only the tradition of quality, accessibility and excellence, but America's place in the global economy.

Presiding: Senator Leticia Van de Putte, Texas and President, NCSL

Welcomes

Speakers: Salvatore DiMasi, Speaker of the House, Massachusetts
Senator Therese Murray, Senate President, Massachusetts

Moderator:

Jim Hunt, Former Governor, North Carolina and Founder, The James B. Hunt, Jr. Institute for Educational Leadership and Policy and The Institute for Emerging Issues, North Carolina

12:15 pm - 2:45 pm 
Room 258 B

Transportation Standing Committee

Presiding: Senator Bruce Starr, Oregon, Committee Chair

Luncheon -  Sponsored by the Americans for a Strong National Highway Network

Brief Remarks by American Trucking Associations

12:35 pm - 1:45 pm
Room 258 B

Drowsy Driving Panel

New research on the need for adequate sleep in maintaining good health, coupled with the negative impacts of sleep deprivation are coming to the attention of policymakers regarding the role of drowsy driving in traffic crashes.  This session will examine recent research and legislative efforts to reduce the number of drowsy drivers on the road. 

Presiding: John Snyder, NCSL Transportation Committee Chair

Speakers:

Charles A. Czeisler, PhD. MD, Director of Sleep Medicine,  Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts
Earl Sweeny, Chair, International Association of Chiefs of Police Highway Safety Committee, New Hampshire
Senator Richard Moore, Massachusetts

1:45 pm - 2:45 pm
Room 258 B

Solving the Special Transportation Needs Crisis

As baby boomers age, a significantly larger portion of the population will be unable to drive or access traditional public transportation services.  Although many special transportation programs are available, often they are not well coordinated and states will soon will face an enormous fiscal and logistical challenge to address special mobility needs.  This session examines the growing problem and provides legislators with suggested solutions.  

Presiding: John Snyder, NCSL Transportation Committee Chair

Speakers:

Doug Birnie, Program Specialist, Federal Transit Administration, District of Columbia
Karen Hoesch, Executive Director, Access Transportation Systems, Pennsylvania

3:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Room 258 B

Transportation Committee Business Meeting and Federal Update  

During this session, the committee will take up the Chairman’s Mark of the Motor Carrier Regulation Policy that was reviewed and discussed at the San Antonio Fall Forum as well as the Hazardous Materials Transportation Policy, the Waterways and Ports Policy and The Importance of Rail to the Agricultural and Energy Sectors.  NCSL State-Federal Relations staff will update the Committee on other topics of interest, including REAL ID.  Finally, NCSL Transportation Program staff will review other state transportation policy developments, opening a roundtable of committee members on emerging state legislative priorities.  

Presiding: Senator Bruce Starr, Chair, NCSL Transportation Committee, Oregon  

Committee Policies to be Voted on:

• Hazardous Materials Transportation
• Motor Carrier Regulation
• Waterways and Ports
• The Importance of Rail to the Agriculture and Energy Sectors

4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Room 258 B

Mike Schagrin, VII Team Leader, United States Department of Transportation, District of Columbia
Richard Leadbeater, Board Member,  Vehicle Traffic Information Coalition, District of Columbia

5:15 pm - 6:15 pm
Room 210 A 

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 policies adopted by the Standing Committees and set the calendars for Wednesday’s Annual Business Meeting.

Presiding:

Marti Harkness, Staff Director, Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability, Florida and Staff Chair, Standing Committees’ Steering Committee, NCSL

Senator Richard Moore, Massachusetts and Chair, Standing Committees’ Steering Committee, NCSL

Social Event Bus Transportation:
5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. from BCEC

Returns to hotels: 8:00 p.m. to 9:15 p.m.

Grand Slam at Fenway Park

The spirit of baseball is alive in Boston tonight, because America loves its baseball!  Welcome to a grand slam start to this year's meeting at one of America's favorite baseball parks, located in the heart of Boston!  Fenway Park is not just a ballpark. It's an experience. So come on in, and get your hotdogs, peanuts and beer. Experience all the park has to offer from the games on the main concourse to the live Boston entertainment throughout tonight's spectacular event.  Hit a home run with your family by arriving early for a behind-the-scenes self-guided tour of Fenway Park, which will begin at 5:30 p.m.  Be sure to bring your photo ID.  Massachusetts requires it for everyone who wishes to be served alcoholic beverages.

Tuesday, August 7

8:00 am - 5:00 pm
North Lobby

Registration

9:00 am - 4:00 pm
Exhibit Hall A

7:30 am – 9:30 am
Ballroom Foyer

Continental Breakfast:  Networking Roundtables

8:30 am - 10:00 am
Grand Ballroom

General Session

Presiding:  Representative Donna Stone, Delaware and President-Elect, NCSL

Our Place in History

America’s most celebrated historical author. He has won the Pulitzer Prize twice, for John Adams and Truman.

Speaker:  David McCullogh

10:15 am – 12:00 pm

Room 258B

Transportation Standing Committee Session

Patricia Abbate, Executive Director, Citizens for Rail Safety, Massachusetts
Josh Human, Project Manager, Center for Hazards Research and Policy, Kentucky
Jennifer Macdonald, Association of American Railroads, District of Columbia
John Tolman, Vice President and National Legislative Representative, Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen, District of Columbia
Grady Cothen, Federal Railroad Administration, District of Columbia

11:30 am - 1:30 pm 
Exhibit Hall A

Exhibit Hall Lunch 

1:30 pm - 3:00 pm 
Room 210 B

What's the Latest News on the Real ID?

Sponsored by Budgets and Revenue Committee; Transportation Committee; Task Force on Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness

How are states planning to pay for the Real ID? Which states are opting out? What is in the final regulations? Hear the latest news on the Real ID regulations, pending congressional action and state activity. Members are encouraged to come prepared to discuss the status of the Real ID in their state.

Presiding: Senator Bruce Starr, Oregon and Chair, Transportation Committee, NCSL

Speakers:

Assemblymember, Uperdra Chivukula, New Jersey
Molly Ramsdell, NCSL State Federal Relations Division, District of Columbia
Matt Sundeen, NCSL Transportation Program, Colorado
Senator Thomas Wyss, Indiana
Senator Elizabeth Mitchell, Maine
Senator Bob Stenehjem, Senate Majority Leader, North Dakota
Representative Brady Wiseman, Montana

3:15 pm - 5:00 pm
Room 210 C

Think Tanks: Special Briefings on Today's Top Issues

Speaker:  David A. Wyss, Chief Economist, Standard and Poor's, New York 

David Wyss is one of America’s leading experts on the economy.  As chief economist at Standard and Poor’s in New York, he is responsible for S&P’s economic forecasts and publications.

6:00 pm 

States' Night

Join in the NCSL tradition of celebrating the charms of our many states at numerous state celebrations this evening.

Wednesday, August 8

6:30 am - 8:30 am
Meet at Hatch Shell on Charles River Esplanade,
see instructions

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. The 5K fun run/walk is open to all attendees and will be in beautiful downtown Boston along the Charles River. To register by August 3rd, send an email with your name and contact information to sia.davis@ncsl.org.

7:30 am - 9:30 am
Ballroom Foyer  

8:00 am - 5:00 pm
North Lobby 

8:30 am - 10:00 am
Grand Ballroom

General Session and Annual Business Meeting

Perspective on Critical Times: Three Views

Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff will be the featured speakers during this varied set of programs, which will also include NCSL's Annual Business Meeting and a preview of the 2008 annual meeting in New Orleans.  Secretary Chertoff will kick-off the morning with a look at DHS's plans for implementing the Real ID law.  Speaker Pelosi will offer her thoughts about public policy challenges facing national and state lawmakers.

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, election of NCSL officers and approval of the conference budget.  The annual business meeting will be conducted in two parts to accommodate the guest speakers.

Louisiana Lieutenant Governor Mitch Landrieu will wrap things up with an invitation to come to Bayou country for next year's NCSL annual meeting.

Presiding:

Senator Richard Moore, Massachusetts and Chair, Standing Committees’ Steering Committee, NCSL
Senator Leticia Van de Putte, Texas and President, NCSL

Speakers:

Secretary Michael Chertoff, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, District of Columbia
Lieutenant Governor Mitch Landrieu, Louisiana
Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, District of Columbia

9:00 am - 3:00 pm 
Exhibit Hall A

Exhibit Hall Opens  

11:00 am - 1:00 pm
Exhibit Hall B1

New Orleans Mardi Gras Brunch and All that Jazz

Our New Orleans-style jazz brunch will have you wishing you were in the Big Easy. Feast on familiar Creole favorites like gumbo, red beans and rice, beignets, bananas foster, grits and grillades. All is set in a French Quarter atmosphere with a roaming jazz band that will get your toes tapping. Saints alive, it’s fleur de-licious! From the Sugar Bowl to Mardi Gras to Jazz Fest, New Orleans is always a gracious host. Feel the excitement, and get ready to head way down yonder--Louisiana is expecting you in 2008!

12:30 pm - 2:30 pm 
Tour buses will leave the Boston Convention Center at 12:40 pm

Issue Forum

Port Tour:  Overview of Air Cargo Inspections at Logan Airport

This tour will visit the International Cargo Port at Logan Airport to see how air shipments are processed and inspected for illegal contraband, plant and animal products and other suspicious materials.  Federal officials will provide an overview of how imported products are inspected to ensure public protection.

The tour is limited to 50 people and tour participants must provide certain information at least two weeks in advance for security purposes.  Contact Hayley Shelton at 303-856-1540 or Hayley.shelton@ncsl.org by July 23 to be eligible to participate.

Tour buses will leave the Boston Convention Center at 12:40 pm. 

2:45 pm - 4:15 pm
Room 257 B

Issue Forum

The Big Dig: Uncovered

Sponsored by the Transportation Committee

Boston is home to the nation's most expensive transportation project, commonly referred to as the Big Dig. Despite its cost overruns and engineering challenges, other cities are considering similar ventures. Listen to the lessons learned from those involved in this ground-breaking effort. 

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

Speaker:

Senator Steven Baddour, Chair, Senate Transportation Committee, Massachusetts
Mary Connaughton, Chair, Board Audit Committee, Massachusetts Turnpike Authority, Massachusetts
Sean Murphy, Investigative Reporter, Boston Globe, Massachusetts

Thursday, August 9

8:00 am - 11:00 am
North Lobby

Registration

8:30 am - 10:00 am
Grand Ballroom 

General Session Breakfast

The American Presidents

This breakfast program is generously supported by AT&T.

As Americans prepare to elect the 44th president of the United States in 2008, two distinguished presidential advisors will give their insights into what makes a president great.  David Gergen, advisor to Presidents Nixon, Ford, Reagan and Clinton, and Andrew Card, who worked for Presidents Reagan, George H.W. Bush and the current president, will share an insider’s look at the White House.  Mr. Gergen served as a White House advisor to four presidents: Nixon, Ford, Reagan and Clinton.  Mr. Card is the second longest serving White House chief of staff in history and the 11th U.S. secretary of transportation.

Speakers:

Andrew Card, Former White House Chief of Staff, Virginia

David Gergen, Harvard University, John F. Kennedy School of Government, Massachusetts

Presiding:

Speaker Joe Hackney, Speaker of the House, North Carolina and Vice President, NCSL

Moderator:

Mara Liasson, National Political Correspondent, National Public Radio, District of Columbia

10:15 am - 12:15 pm 
Room 211

Issue Forum

Transportation Funding – What Works, What Doesn't? 

Sponsored by the Transportation Committee

Most states are struggling to find the revenue needed to pay for transportation improvements. Gas tax increases, privatization, congestion pricing, tolls, the general fund, design-build agreements, and vehicle mileage taxes are on the table.  This session will explore transportation funding challenges and help lawmakers understand different alternatives. 

Presiding: Senator Bruce Starr, Oregon and Chair, Transportation Committee, NCSL

Speakers:

Joanna Lieberman Turner, Legislative Director, Economic Development & Commerce Committee, National Governors' Association, District of Columbia
Phineas Baxandall, Ph.D., Senior Analyst for Tax and Budget Policy, U.S. PIRGs, Massachusetts
Greg Cohen, President and CEO, American Highway Users Alliance, District of Columbia
Philip Shucet, Macquarie Infrastructure Group, New York
Senator Kirk Watson, Texas

12:30 pm - 2:30 pm
Grand Ballroom

Legislative Staff Luncheon

Politics and the Internet

Jimmy Orr was named by the World Forum on E-Democracy as one of 25 people changing the world of the Internet and politics. Orr was White House e-communications director under President George Bush when he created "Ask the White House" and increased hits from 1 million to more than 20 million. California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger hired Orr to transform his Internet presence and the governor’s interactive online forums set records. Now he is online editor of the Christian Science Monitor.  Legislative Staff Achievement Awards will also be presented during this luncheon.

Presiding:

Steve Miller, Chief, Legislative Reference Bureau, Wisconsin and Staff Chair, NCSL

Speaker:

Jimmy Orr, On-line Editor, Christian Science Monitor, Massachusetts

Mr. Orr is an Internet visionary. Considered one of 25 people who are changing the world of the Internet and politics, Orr served as President Bush’s White House e-communications director and spokesman.

12:30 pm - 2:30 pm 
Grand Ballroom A, Westin Waterfront

Republican Legislative Campaign Committee Luncheon

12:30 pm - 2:30 pm 
Room 253ABC

Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee Luncheon

2:45 pm - 4:30 pm 

Extraordinary Sessions 

6:30 pm - 9:00 pm
Buses depart from all conference transportation routes and the BCEC beginning at 6:00 pm
Returns to hotels: 8:30 pm  to 10:00 pm

This year's finale celebration, with its harbor-front location, promises a spectacular night under the stars with the world-famous Boston Pops. The stage and the audience take on a festive atmosphere with exhilarating music, featuring everything from classical to jazz, Broadway to The Beatles, and Celtic reels to Brazilian sambas. It's music to entertain, invigorate and enlighten. The Bank of American Pavilion opens at 6:30 p.m. for a pre-concert party including food and beverages, and a main stage family friendly warm-up act. Don't be late--the concert starts at 8:00 p.m.! Be sure to bring your photo ID. Massachusetts requires it for everyone who wishes to be served alcoholic beverages.

Meeting Adjourns