If you are interested in creating new law or amending and improving a current law it would be highly beneficial to hire a lobbyist.
We have substantial knowledge about the legislative process and procedures and the history of previous legislation that succeeded or failed. We also have access to the key decision makers who control the process, largely due to having developed long lasting personal relationships with legislators and legislative staff, agency personnel, and other key decision makers. It is not as easy as you may think to schedule a meeting with an elected official. Legislators are extremely busy and there are many people who seek their time. Even if you do manage to schedule a meeting, you may not be able to articulate your cause as skillfully as you may like.
We are skilled in the art of persuasion and swaying politicians (and other lobbyists at times) to vote on legislation that is favorable to our clients. This is in large part due to our lobbyists’ knowledge, experience, reputation and credibility. We also have experience helping legislators draft legislation and framing it advantageously to our client’s interests. Finally, we will are involved in each step of the legislative process (whether reviewing the bills, attending the readings of the bills, attending testimonies, and so on) and will keep you updated throughout the legislative process.
While we cannot make large campaign donations to politicians we often host fundraising events for legislators, which provides our clients opportunities to interact with politicians in a less formal atmosphere and helps us maintain strong relationships with legislators.
Below is a general overview of the process for how a bill becomes law.
1. Idea: The idea for a new law (or a change to an old law) is discussed and proposed by someone whether it be parents, children, animal rights activists, business owners, etc.
2. Legal Form: The Office of the Revisor of Statutes and staff from legislative offices work with legislators to translate the idea for the law into proper legal form.
3. Sponsors & Introduction: The bill is then introduced in either the House of Representatives or Senate. An identical bill (called a companion bill) is usually introduced in the other body. Each bill must have a legislator that is the chief sponsor of the bill.
4. Committee: The bill is then referred to a committee. The members of the committee discuss the bill, invite public testimony, and the bill generally goes through a series of amendments. Depending on the subject matter, more than one committee may discuss the bill. Committees in both bodies can either recommend that the bill be approved, amended and then approved, tabled or defeated.
5. Floor, General Register, & Calendar: If the bill is approved it is then referred to another committee for consideration or to the full House for a vote. In the Senate, the Senate members have an opportunity to debate the bill and offer amendments.
6. Conference & Floor: If the House and Senate versions of the bill are different, the bills go to a conference committee, which works out the differences between the two bills. Once an agreement is reached, the bill is returned to both the House and Senate for final approval and sent to the governor for action.
7. Governor: Once the governor has the bill, he or she may sign it making the bill law, veto it within 3 days, or allow it to become law by not signing it. During the legislative session, the House and Senate can override a governor’s veto. Most new laws are effective on August 1, unless the bill specifies another date.
Please contact us if you have any questions regarding the legislative process or would like to discuss your legislative needs.
“Building trust, one conversation at a time.”