Join us at the NCSL Capitol Forum, Dec. 8-11 in Washington, D.C., to help craft the States’ Agenda and be a voice for the states on Lobby Day on Capitol Hill. The Capitol Forum features sessions on important state-federal issues, special tours and briefings for legislative staff, and opportunities to connect with legislative colleagues from across the nation.
This page shows the agenda for sessions of the Legislative Effectiveness Committee at NCSL's 2015 Capitol Forum in Washington D.C.
For more information, visit the 2015 Capitol Forum website or view the preliminary 2015 Capitol Forum agenda. See you in Washington D.C.!
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Legislator co-chair: Assemblywoman Irene Bustamante Adams, Nevada
Legislator co-chair: Senator Elaine S. Bowers, Kansas.
Legislator vice chair: Representative Kristin Conzet, South Dakota
Legislator vice chair: Representative Mike McKell, Utah
Legislator vice chair: Representative Susan Westrom, Kentucky |
Legislative staff co-chair: Michael Adams, Virginia
Legislative staff co-chair: Connie Ridley, Tennessee
Legislative staff vice chair: Sabah Eltareb, California
Legislative staff vice chair: Jason Hancock, South Dakota
Legislative staff vice chair: Jim Melton, South Carolina
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ThursdAy, Dec.10
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Sessions |
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8:30-8:45 a.m.
Hoover
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Committee Welcome and Orientation
The officers of the Legislative Effectiveness Committee will welcome attendees, describe the mission of the committee and preview the day’s agenda.
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8:45-10:00 a.m.
Hoover
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Civility, Collaboration and the Legislative Process
Legislative rules and procedures form the backbone of the lawmaking process. Examine formal and informal rules and practices that promote civility, public access, minority party rights and collaboration.
Moderator: Julie Pelegrin, Office of Legislative Legal Services, Colorado General Assembly
Panelists: Senator Michael Gronstal, Iowa
Russell Humphrey, Office of the Chief Clerk, Tennessee Senate
Senator Terri Haverly, South Dakota
Robert Richie, Fair Vote, Maryland
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10:15-11:45 a.m.
Lincoln 4
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Who Governs? Legislator Demographics in 2015
Learn the latest trends in ethnicity, age, gender and occupations of state legislators from the national release of new research and data from NCSL and The Pew Charitable Trust on the demographics of lawmakers in 2015.
Moderator: Michael Caudell-Feagan, Pew Charitable Trusts, Washington, D.C.
Panelists: Assemblymember Irene Bustamante Adams,Nevada
Representative Kristin A. Conzet,South Dakota
Scott Greenberger, Stateline, Washington, D.C.
Karl Kurtz, Legis Maters, Colorado
Dr. Kira Sanbonmatsu, Rutgers University, New Jersey
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| 11:45 a.m.-1:15 p.m. |
General Session Luncheon: When Religious Freedom and Anti-Discrimination Collide
Thurgood Ballroom, Mezzanine Level, Marriott Wardman Park
Proponents argue the government shouldn’t infringe on the right to exercise one’s religious beliefs, but opponents of religious freedom acts contend they allow legal discrimination. Indiana brought the debate into national focus. Is there middle ground? Utah may be the model.
Moderator: Senator Curtis Bramble, Utah
Speakers: Professor Robin Fretwell Wilson, College of Law, University of Illinois
Senator David Long, Indiana
Respondent: Senator J. Stuart Adams, Utah
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1:30-2:45 p.m.
Hoover
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Social Media Minefields
Social media is a valuable outlet to promote your work and quickly engage constituents, but what happens when your post spirals out of control? Negative comments, hashtag backlash, and posts going viral (and not in a good way) can impact you and your work in the legislature. Learn strategies and best practices for handling social media minefields.
Moderator: Michael Adams, Office of the Clerk, Virginia Senate
Panelists: Representative Michael H. Schlossberg, Pennsylvania
Ellie Wallace, Republican State Leadership Committee, Washington, D.C.
Hailey Spencer, Virginia Commonwealth University, Virginia
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3-3:45 p.m.
Hoover
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Legislative Effectiveness Committee Business Meeting
All interested attendees are welcome to discuss and set the agenda for future committee topics and activities.
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3:45-4:45 p.m.
Washington 1
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Fundraising and Legislating: Two Jobs in One
The cost of campaigning for legislative seats continues its trend upward. Learn how much campaigns cost in the states, and discuss how the need to raise money impacts the legislative process and agenda. Hear from legislators from big states, small states, red states and blue states about how they balance fundraising and legislating roles.
Moderator: Douglas Himes, Office of Legal Services, Tennessee General Assembly
Panelists: Senator Curtis Bramble, Utah
Senator Judy Lee, North Dakota
Senator Cheryl C. Kagan, Maryland
Co-sponsored with the Redistricting and Elections Standing Committee
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