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State-Federal Relations

• William T. Pound, Executive Director of the NCSL, testified before the U.S. Senate Committee on the Budget regarding "The Fiscal Relationship Between the Federal Government and State and Local Governments." (February 11, 1998).
• Federal Agency Compliance with The Unfunded Mandates Reform Act Of 1995. Brian J. Flaherty, Deputy Minority Leader, Connecticut State House of Representatives, testified before The U.S. House Judiciary Committee Subcommittee on Commercial and Administrative Law. (July 29, 1997).
• North Dakota Representative John Dorso testifies before the U.S. House Committee on Ways and Means regarding the impact of federal tax reform on state and local governments. (May 1, 1996).

• Alabama Representative Al Knight, Chair of NCSL's Committee on Commerce and Communications and Colorado Senator Bill Schroeder, Vice Chair of NCSL's Committee on Commerce and Communications on The Riegle-Neal Clarification Act of 1997 before the House Banking Subcommittee on Financial Institutions and Consumer Credit. (April 30, 1997).

• Kansas Representative Ralph Tanner on the Academic Achievement for All (Straight A's) Act before the U.S. House Committee on Education and the Workforce (May 20, 1999).
• Utah Senator David Steele on Federal Workforce Reorganization before the U.S. House Committee on Education and the Workforce Subcommittee on Postsecondary Education, Training and Life-long Learning. (February 11, 1997).
• Response to NGA Recommendations on Medicaid, Welfare Reform and Workforce Training. (February 8, 1996).

• Delegate James W. Hubbard (MD) submitted a statement on The Chemical Safety Information and Site Security Act of 1999, to the Health and the Environment Subcommittee of the House Commerce Committee (May 26, 1999).
• Steven Morse, Minnesota State Senator, regarding Implementation of the New National Ambient Air Quality Standards for Ozone and Particulate Matter before the Subcommittees on Health and Environment and Oversight and Investigations of the U.S. House Commerce Committee. (October 1, 1997).
• Brian J. Flaherty, Deputy Minority Leader, Connecticut State House of Representatives, on Federal Agency Compliance with The Unfunded Mandates Reform Act Of 1995 before The U.S. House Judiciary Committee Subcommittee on Commercial and Administrative Law. (July 29, 1997).
• Utah Senate Majority Leader Craig Peterson on the proposed changes to The National Ambient Air Quality Standards for Ozone and Particulate Matter before the U.S. House of Representatives Commerce Subcommittees on Health and Environment and Oversight and Investigations. (May 1, 1997).
• Senator Paul Muegge of Oklahoma regarding Proposed Changes to the National Ambient Air Quality Standards for Ozone and Particulate Matter before the U.S. Senate Environment and Public Works Subcommittee on Clean Air, Wetlands, Private Property and Nuclear Safety. (March 3, 1997).

• North Carolina Representative Dan Blue, NCSL President, on Federalism and Preemption of State Law before the U.S. Senate Committee on Governmental Affairs. (May 5, 1999).
• New York Senator Steven Saland on the Regulatory Right-to-Know Act before the U.S. Senate Governmental Affairs Committee. (April 22, 1999).
• California Senator Jim Costa, NCSL Vice-President, on the Regulatory Right-to-Know Act before the U.S. House Government Reform subcommittee on National Economic Growth, Natural Resources and Regulatory Affairs. (March 24, 1999).
• Representative Dan Blue of the North Carolina House of Representatives on President Clinton's Executive Order 13083 before the U.S. House Government Reform and Oversight Committee. (July 28, 1998).
• Tenth Amendment Enforcement Act. Alabama Representative Mike Box testified before the Committee on Governmental Affairs of the United States Senate. (July 16, 1996).
• Endorsing the "Tenth Amendment Enforcement Act of 1996. New York Senator James Lack and Ohio Representative Patrick Sweeney testify before the U.S. Senate Governmental Affairs Committee." Text of Lack testimony. Text of Sweeney testimony. (March 21, 1996).

• Delegate Marilyn Goldwater of the Maryland General Assembly testified before the Senate Labor and Human Resources Committee regarding Managed Care Appeals Processes. (May 19th, 1998).
• Delaware Representative David H. Ennis on State Implementation of the Health Insurance Portabililty and Accountability Act of 1996 before the U.S. Senate Labor and Human Resources Committee. (February 11, 1997).
• Response to NGA Recommendations on Medicaid, Welfare Reform and Workforce Training. (February 8, 1996).

• Federalization of State Drivers' Licenses. Representative Brian Flaherty of Connecticut testified before the House Government Reform and Oversight Committee's Subcommittee on National Economic Growth, Natural Resources and Regulatory Affairs (September 17, 1998).
• Virginia Delegate Karen Darner testifies against proposals to finance federal welfare reform by eliminating benefits for legal immigrants. (March 12, 1996 Press Release). Text of testimony

• Preemption of Product Liability. Statement on behalf of The NCSL before the Committee on the Judiciary of the US House of Representatives. (April 10, 1997).

• The Local Empowerment and Flexibility Act. Representative Andrew Norton testified before the House Committee on Government Reform and Oversight Subcommittee on Human Resources and Intergovernmental Affairs regarding H.R. 2086: (February 22, 1996).

• Representative Joan Bray of Missouri regarding TEA-21 Implementation before the Subcommittee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee. (April 15, 1999).
• Representative Joan Bray of Missouri regarding Federal Aviation Reauthorization before the House Transportation and Infrastructure Aviation Subcommittee. (February 11, 1999).
• Federalization of State Drivers' Licenses. Representative Brian Flaherty of Connecticut testified before the House Government Reform and Oversight Committee's Subcommittee on National Economic Growth, Natural Resources and Regulatory Affairs (September 17, 1998).

• Welfare Reform Technical Corrections. Sheri Steisel, Senior Committee Director, Human Services Committee, National Conference of State Legislatures; Susan Golonka, Senior Policy Analyst, National Governors' Association and Elaine Ryan Director of Government Affairs, American Public Welfare Association testified before the U.S. House of Representatives Ways and Means Subcommittee on Human Resources. (February 26, 1997).
• Implementing Federal Welfare Reform. NCSL Senior Committee Director Sheri E. Steisel testified before the U.S. House Committee on Ways and Means, and Subcommittee on Human Resources (September 17, 1996).
• Response to NGA Recommendations on Medicaid, Welfare Reform and Workforce Training. (February 8, 1996).
• National task force of state legislators has underscored the importance for states of the Brown Amendment and the implementation timeline in welfare reform. (March 4, 1996 Press Release).

• FY 2000 tax letter sent to the leadership of the House Ways and Means Committee and of the Senate Finance Committee. These priorities include increasing pension portability, funding school construction, and raising the private activity bond cap and the low income housing tax credit. (June 10, 1999).
• Coalition letter of support for H.R. 1102, to avoid preemption of state authority while strengthening retirement savings for state and local government employees. Letter of support for companion bill, S. 741. (May 11, 1999).
• 2000 Budget letter sent to President Clinton outlining NCSL's concerns (November 17, 1998).
• Senate Appropriations letter sent to Senator Arlen Specter, Chairman of the Subcommittee on Labor, Health & Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies. (July 10, 1998).
• Budget Resolution letter sent to U.S. House and Senate Budget Committee members. (June 16, 1998)
• Unfunded Mandate Reform Act letter sent to all U.S. House members regarding Agricultural Research bill. (June 4, 1998).
• Letter to U.S. House members regarding unfunded mandate in S.1150, the Agriculture Research bill. (June 4, 1998).
• Letter to U.S. House Conferees on the IRS Restructuring Bill. (June 3, 1998).
• Letter to Chairman Jim Bunning, Subcommittee on Social Security, regarding extension of Mandatory Social Security Coverage. (May 22, 1998).
• Letters sent to the President and Members of the U.S. Senate and House Budget Committees regarding FY 1999 Federal Budget Priorities and Recommendations. (March 9, 1998).
• Letter to President Clinton regarding the enactment of budget reconciliation legislation. (August 14, 1997).
• Letter to Congressional Leadership and Chairs and Ranking Members of Congressional Committees regarding the enactment of budget reconciliation legislation. (August 14, 1997).
• Letter sent to House and Senate Conferees on budget reconciliation legislation, H.R. 2015. (July 14, 1997).
• Letter regarding bipartisan Reciprocal Refund Offset legislation to Senate Finance Committee Members on behalf of NCSL. (June 18, 1997).
• Letter regarding bipartisan Reciprocal Refund Offset legislation sent to House Ways and Means Committee Members. (June 11, 1997)
• Letter sent to The Honorable Clay Shaw , Chairman of the Human Resources Subcommittee, regarding welfare programs within the budget reconciliation act on behalf of NCSL, NGA and APWA. (June 5, 1997).
• Letter sent to the U.S. Senate and U.S. House Budget Committees regarding FY1998 Budget Resolution on behalf of NCSL. (March 19, 1997).

• Letter sent to the federal Advisory Commission on Electronic Commerce in advance of their first meeting on June 21st and 22nd. (6/11/99).
• Letter sent to President Clinton, urging him to sign H.R. 775, Year 2000 Computer Readiness and Liability. (June 21, 1999).
• Letter of protest sent to Congressional leaders demanding that they appoint a representative body to the Advisory Commission on Electronic Commerce. (December 10, 1999).
• NCSL letter sent to U.S. House opposing preemption of state anti-slamming laws (October 2, 1998)
• NCSL letter sent to U.S. Senate Banking Committee members regarding H.R.10, the Financial Services Act of 1998 (September 10, 1998)
• NCSL letter sent in support of the Internet Tax Freedom Act (HR 4105). (July 27, 1998)
• Internet Tax Freedom letter sent to House sponsor of H.R. 3849 Rep. Christopher Cox (R-CA), House Commerce Committee Chairman Tom Bliley (R-VA), House Commerce ranking member John Dingell (D-MI), House Judiciary Committee Chairman Henry Hyde (R-IL), and House Judiciary ranking member John Conyers (D-MI). (June 19, 1998)
• Letter sent to the U.S. House Commerce Committee regarding H.R. 3849, the Internet Tax Freedom Act. (May 20, 1998).
• Letter to sent to the U.S. House of Representatives regarding H.R. 10, the Financial Services Act of 1998. (May 12, 1998).
• Letter to the House Commerce Subcommittee on Finance and Hazardous Materials on the "Financial Services Act of 1997". (September 18, 1997).
• Letter sent to The Honorable Ron Wyden regarding the "Internet Tax Freedom Act" on behalf of NCSL. (February 21, 1997)

• Letter to House Commerce Committee Chairman Thomas Bliley, Ranking Member John Dingell, Health and Environment Subcommittee Chairman Michael Bilirakis, and Ranking Member Sherrod Brown regarding H.R. 1790, The Chemical Safety Information and Site Security Act of 1999 (May 19, 1999)
• Letter to the members of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Veterans Affairs, Housing and Urban Development and Independent Agencies regarding Fiscal Year 2000 Appropriations for VA, HUD and Independent Agencies. (March 22, 1999).
• Letter to Representatives Larry Combest (R-TX) and Charles W. Stenholm (D-TX) of the House Agriculture Committee regarding animal feeding operations. (March 3, 1999).
• Letter to the full Senate regarding S. 2271, the "Private Property Rights Implementation Act of 1998." (July 10, 1998).
• NCSL Letter to Senate on States' Rights regarding Land Use and Regulatory Policy (June 7, 1998).
• Letter to the full Senate in opposition to H.R. 1534, the "Private Property Rights Implementation Act of 1997." (July 7, 1998).
• Letter to ISTEA Conferees regarding new fine particulate matter monitoring networks and control measures. (May 14, 1998).
• Letter to full Senate regarding S. 270, the Texas Low-Level Radioactive Waste Disposal Compact Consent Act. (March 11, 1998).
• Letter to Representatives Sherwood Boehlert (R-NY), Robert Borski (D-PA), Thomas Manton (N-NY), and Michael Oxley (R-OH) regarding legislation to reauthorize the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act. (March 10, 1998).
• Letter to Senator James Inhofe (R-OK) regarding air quality standards amendment to S. 1173, a bill to reauthorize the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act. (March 9, 1998).
• Letter sent to Rep. Jim Greenwood regarding comments on the draft legislation to codify the Administration's plan to implement the new air quality standards for ozone and particulate matter. (January 26, 1998).
• Members of NCSL, NGA, NLC, USCM, ICMA, CSG and NACO met with Vice President Gore to discuss EPA's proposed clean air standards and telecommunications taxes. Talking Points. (June 6, 1997).
• Letter to Administrator Carol Browner, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, regarding implementation of the new particulate matter and ozone NAAQS (October 8, 1997).
• Letter to Conferees for EPA Budget Legislation (FY 1998) regarding H.R. 2158, Appropriations for State Environmental Programs. (September 19, 1997).

• Letter sent to President Clinton requesting withdrawal of Executive Order 13083. (July 17, 1998)

• Letter sent to Senator Arlen Specter regarding ERISA Preemption. (May 28, 1998).
• Letter sent to Senate Labor and Human Resources Committee regarding Senator Jefford's "QUEST" Act. (February 13, 1998).

• Letter sent to the entire U.S. Senate & House of Representatives regarding the federalization of state driver's license application process. (September 4, 1998)

• Letter to President Clinton regarding the White House Conference on Social Security from NCSL and 19 other National, State and Local organizations (December 7, 1998).

• Letter sent to the U.S. Senate Commerce Committee from NCSL regarding provisions that should be included in national tobacco settlement legislation. (March 26, 1998).

• Letter to the U.S. Senate regarding S. 1143, Senate Transportation Appropriations (June 17, 1999).
• Letter to Congressional leaders, the House Judiciary Committee, and the House Appropriations Committee regarding the federalization of state-issued driver's licenses (May 25, 1999).
• Letter to the Senate Transportation Appropriations Subcommittee in support of full funding for Amtrak (May 24, 1999).
• Letter to the U.S. House of Representatives in opposition to the national standards and sanctions regarding drunk drivers in H.R. 1595 and H.R. 1597. (May 4, 1999).
• Letter to the U.S. Senate in opposition to the national standards and sanctions regarding drunk drivers in S. 222 (May 4, 1999).
• Letter to Congress in support of H.R. 1000, the Aviation Investment and Reform Act for the 21st Century
  (April 22, 1999).
• Letter to Congressional leaders in regards to the Aviation Trust Fund and the FY 2000 Budget Resolution. (March 23, 1999).
• Letter to Congress in support of H.R. 111, the "Truth in Budgeting Act". (January 27, 1999).
• Letter to Congress regarding aviation reauthorization. (January 22, 1999).
• Letter to Congressional leaders regarding the full funding of transportation. (October 5, 1998).
• Letter to the entire House of Representatives and Senate regarding State-Issued Driver's Licenses. (September 4, 1998).
• Letter sent to the Senate Transportation Appropriations Subcommittee regarding FY1999 Transportation and Related Agencies Appropriations (July 7, 1998).
• Letter sent to full Senate on the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1997. (October 6, 1997).
• Letter to House Budget and Transportation and Infrastructure Committees on Transportation Reauthorization Legislation. (September 12, 1997).

• Letter to the Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee regarding continuing eligibility of PRUCOL immigrants for SSI/Medicaid benefits (September 17, 1998)
• Letter sent to the Senate Appropriations Committee regarding FY 1999 appropriations for LIHEAP and SSBG (September 2, 1998)
• Budget Resolution letter sent to U.S. House and Senate Budget Committee members. (June 16, 1998)
• Letter to U.S. House members regarding unfunded mandate in S.1150, the Agriculture Research bill. (June 4, 1998).
• Letter to U.S. Congress regarding Proposed Title XX Cuts. (May 20, 1998).
• Proposed Rule for the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Program (TANF). NCSL President Richard Finan, Ohio Senate President and NCSL President-elect, Representative Dan Blue submitted comments to Assistant Secretary for Children and Families, Olivia Golden on behalf of the NCSL. (February 18, 1998).
• Letter regarding federal administrative funds for food stamp administrative costs sent to House Agriculture Committee members on behalf of NCSL, NGA and APWA. (June 12, 1997).

• Comments to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Agriculture regarding the Draft Unified National Strategy for Animal Feeding Operations. (January 19, 1999).

• Comments to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Agriculture regarding the Draft Unified National Strategy for Animal Feeding Operations. (January 19, 1999).
• NCSL submits comments to EPA Administrator Carol Browner regarding Proposed EPA Guidance on new national ambient air quality standards for ozone and particulate matter. (September 30, 1998).
• NCSL sends comments to EPA Administrator Carol Browner regarding Tier 2 Automobile Emissions Standards (June 11, 1998).
• NCSL comments on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Draft Strategy Regarding Regulation of Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs). (May 8, 1998).
• Comments on the Draft Legislation to Codify the Administration's Implementation Plan for the New Ozone and Fine Particulate Matter Air Standards. (January 26, 1998).
• NCSL submitted comments on proposed tightening of ozone and particulate matter standards on March 12. These comments challenge the process used by EPA in proposing the revised standards. Comments on Clean Air Standards. (March 12, 1997).

• NCSL Provides Comments on Repeat Intoxicated Driver Laws: Comments sent to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. (December 21, 1998)
• NCSL provides comments on open container laws (December 9, 1998).
• NCSL Comments Further on State-Issued Driver's Licenses: Letter and comments sent to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. (October 2, 1998)
• NCSL Comments on State-Issued Driver's Licenses: Letter and comments sent to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. (August 3, 1998)

• NCSL comments further on proposed rule making on State-Issued Driver's Licenses (October 2, 1998).
• NCSL comments on proposed rule making on State-Issued Driver's Licenses (August 3, 1998).

• Comments from NCSL on the Adoption and Safe Families Act Guidelines for the states released by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (January 15, 1999).
• NCSL letter to HHS in which greater technical assistance is requested to enable states to implement federal requirements on Title IV-E eligible children adjudicated delinquent with the maximum flexibility in designing state programs without preemption of existing state laws. (January 6, 1999).
• Comments on the proposed rules governing the review of a state’s conformity with its state plan under titles IV-B and IV-E of the Social Security Act and the implementation of the Multiethnic Placement Act (MEPA), certain requirements of the Adoption and Safe Families Act (ASFA), and provisions of the Social Security Act Amendments of 1994, issued on September 18, 1998, by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) Administration for Children and Families. (December 17, 1999).
• NCSL sends comments on Guidance on Food Stamp Administrative Reductions (August 12, 1998).
• Proposed Rule for the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Program (TANF). NCSL President Richard Finan, Ohio Senate President and NCSL President-elect, Representative Dan Blue submitted comments to Assistant Secretary for Children and Families, Olivia Golden, on behalf of the NCSL. (February 18, 1998).

State-Federal Relations

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