Speak up!
Advocacy for children’s issues

A good idea isn’t always an easy sell to legislators.  When it comes to children’s needs, everyone has an opinion.  What is good for the children?  What is in the best interest of the child care provider?  What is supportive of parents?  Should public dollars be used or should private business and families be responsible?  So many interest and concerns must be considered when trying to get a good idea passed through the legislative process.

The process:
All ideas must be put into bill language- a legislative legalese that is created and drafted by the legislative council at the request of a legislator or government agency.  A private citizen cannot ask for a bill to be developed without a legislative sponsor.  Once the “bill draft” is created, it goes through many editorial changes before being assigned a number.
HBXXXX is assigned to a bill who’s primary sponsor is in the House of Representatives or SBXXXX is assigned to a bill who’s primary sponsor is a Senator.

It then is assigned to a legislative committee which hears testimony in the mornings of an assigned day.  This is when the committee will hear arguments in favor or against the bill.  The committee votes and sends it to the floor of the House or Senate for everyone to vote on the bill.  If it fails by floor vote, it is dead and will not be heard again.  If it passes, it moves across the hall to the other chamber (House or Senate) and begins the process again with a new committee hearing, floor votes and finally being signed into law by the Governor.

Influencing legislation:
Bills seldom look the same at the beginning of the hearing process.  Each committee can change a bill.  You can make your opinion known at several times. Tracking the process of a bill can be done through www.legis.nd.gov/ website.

Speak up:
Use all the tools available to you-

• Phone calls to the capitol switchboard 1-888-635-3447
• Email your local legislators or the committee members hearing a particular bill. 
• Testify at a hearing on a bill that is of particular interest to you.  As a private citizen you may make your voice known.  If you are sharing information without trying to influence legislation you can do it as part of your work.  If you try to influence a decision about a bill one way or another, do it from your private home email or phone.
• Keep your email or letters brief, personal and provide good factual information.  Many legislators use these personal stories as they present floor debate.

Get involved:

Join NDAEYC and sign-up for the “On the Capitol Doorstep” weekly update.  Join your local Friday afternoon conference call sponsored by Children’s Caucus.  Attend issue forums in your local communities that are hosted by legislators to hear your concerns.  Change will only happen if you see yourself as an important part of the process.

Barb Arnold-Tengesdal,  VP of Public Policy NDAEYC- btengesdal@bis.midco.net