Working with legislators is extremely important in the war against drunk and drugged driving. Without tough laws, enforcement, prosecution, and adjudication are not possible and efforts to remove impaired drivers from the roads will fail.

It is important to know how to work with your legislator, how bills become laws, and how much impact individuals, groups, and organizations like yours have in the creation of such laws.

Each legislature is unique in its method of operation and lawmaking process. There are numerous similarities but no constants. Thus, each legislature and each legislative body (house or senate) must be approached with particular knowledge and sensitivity to protocol. The legislative process has multiple steps and is by nature deliberative and slow. Those wishing to be effective advocates for a particular issue or bill must know the rules and the players.

The Process (in brief)

1. Ideas for bills can come from anyone who sees a need to change an old law or create a new one.

2. You then must have a sponsor for your legislation.

3. A legislator brings an idea for a bill to the drafting office or has the staff draft one.

4. The sponsor of the bill introduces it in the house or senate, whichever body he or she is a member. The presiding officer refers the bill to the appropriate committee(s) for discussion.

5. The bill is discussed in committee, witnesses testify in favor or against, and the committee votes to approve or disapprove the bill. A report on the bill is sent to the full body.

6. If the committee report is accepted, the bill has a second reading. Full debate proceeds and floor amendments are considered. A vote is taken.

7. The bill proceeds to a third reading. Bills are rarely amended at this stage. The entire body approves or disapproves the bill. If the house and senate pass identical bills, it goes to the governor for signature.

8. If the house and senate pass different bills, a conference committee consisting of members of each body reaches a compromise between the two versions. The compromise version must then be approved by each body. If approved, it goes to the governor for signature.

9. Once the governor signs the bill, it becomes law. If he or she vetoes the bill, the house and senate can try to override the veto and the bill becomes law.

Tips for Advocates

There are several ways to be involved in the legislative process in order to communicate your ideas and needs and support or nonsupport of issues.

• Meet with legislators and call them about issues of importance to you.

• Invite legislators to local programs in your area.

• Form a coalition of persons in your area and support issues of mutual concern.

• Discuss with your legislator(s) the possibility of sponsoring a bill.

• Find a sympathetic legislator to introduce and champion your legislation.

• Meet with legislative staff to discuss the process and strategy.

• Meet with legislators in their offices and talk about a certain bill you either support or do not support.

• Attend hearings of specific bills and register and/or testify for or against the bills.

• Telephone, write, or send e-mail to your legislator regarding legislation.

• Keep the issue before the public with speeches and media coverage.

• Meet or telephone the staff of the legislator or committee regarding the legislation.

• Check often on the progress of the bills of interest to you. Most states have home pages on the Internet for easy access to bill information. The National Conference of State Legislatures has developed a Web site that holds a wealth of information on pending traffic safety legislation (http://ncsl.org). Use this address to enter their general site to locate the state legislators’ site.

Advocacy Etiquette

• Make sure your legislator knows people in his or her district who are affected by the bill or issue.

• Be honest, direct, positive, and brief. Be specific, and know your facts.

• Write a one-page statement for your legislator or the press to use in disseminating the facts on an issue. Provide facts that tell who, what, where, when and why.

• Bring up the opposition’s arguments against your bill and state your rebuttal. This prevents your legislator from being blind-sided later, prepares him or her to argue on your behalf, and enhances your credibility as an honest broker of information.

• Write letters to editors or submit an article to the opinion column of your newspaper. When those pieces are published, send them to the legislative office.

• Have reasonable priorities and learn to compromise; it is a long process.

• Meet and talk with the legislator’s staff. They keep members informed on the issues.

• Remember to write your legislator after a visit or action on a piece of legislation to express thanks and follow up on any unfinished issues.

• Do not hesitate to admit when you do not know all the facts, but indicate you will find out and report back quickly.

It can take several legislative sessions for an idea to become law. Patience, precise knowledge of the process, personal relationships with legislators and staff, and positive, constant media attention are your best allies in the successful passage of legislation.

Successful Program: Madison County, Illinois

Madison County Government used 3D Prevention Month as an opportunity to launch a new Traffic Safety Coalition. The group is comprised of mayors, educators, clergy, and law enforcement, health department and hospital personnel. The four sections of the group represent four sections of the county, and each addresses problems unique to its area. Madison County’s under-21 population has also formed a task force to address its own problems. The Youth Task Force will be working closely with the officers on the basketball court, on the softball field, and across picnic tables.

For more information, contact:

Julie Elmendore

Madison County Government

157 North Main Street

Suite 165

Edwardsville, IL 62025

Phone: (618) 692-6200, ext. 4456