LOBBYING 101 2014 Florida Chapter Conference WHAT IS LOBBYING? Lobbying: To influence or sway toward a desired action. To get something you want by talking to decisionmakers. Grassroots Lobbying: Asking the public to persuade a decisionmaker (elected or appointed) on a particular piece of legislation or rule. e.g.-Holly sending out a flyer asking the public to contact their legislator to vote yes on a bill. Federal and State limitations apply. Direct Lobbying: Asking a decisionmaker to vote in a particular way on a specific piece of legislation or rule. e.g.- Holly talking to a Senator and asking them to vote yes on a specific bill. Federal and State limitations apply. Advocacy: General promotion of an idea though education. Unlimited! THE BASICS There are 160 members of the Florida Legislature 40 Florida Senate 120 Florida House of Representatives Every year the Florida Legislature meets in March for a period “not to exceed 60 calendar days” - that’s the Legislative Session. Florida Legislature can call a “Special Session” as needed Each House member is given six bill slots, there is no limit for Senators 2015 Leadership: President of the Senate: Andy Gardiner (R, Orlando) Speaker of the House: Steve Crisafulli (R, Merrit Island) Other leadership positions are TBD! I’M JUST A BILL… HOW A BILL BECOMES LAW Bill is filed and given a number (HB for House, SB for Senate) Bill must have three readings Bill goes to committees (Committees of Reference) Bill must be put on each committee agenda Bill must pass out of each committee “favorably” Bill must be voted on by both houses Bill must go to Conference Committee to iron out language dif ferences Conference Committee issues a report on bill Final vote occurs in both houses Governor signs or doesn’t sign within 15 days of transmittal KEY TERMS & ACRONYMS Committee Substitute (CS or CS1): A bill going through the committee hearing process sometimes has numerous amendments or the amendments change the original concept of the bill. The bill is then rewritten and becomes a “Committee Substitute” Committee Substitute for Committee Substitute (CS/CS or C2) Companion Bill: A bill introduced in one house which is identical or similar to a bill introduced in the other house. Engrossed Bill (E): The ver sion of a measure that incorporates adopted floor amendments Enrolled Bill (ER): A measure approved by both houses and signed by the legislative of ficer s which is sent to the Governor for action General Bill (GB, HB, SB): A bill of general statewide interest Proposed Committee Substitute (PCS): A proposal that represented the changes that a committee intends to make to a bill. When voted on favorably, it becomes a committee substitute Temporarily Postponed (TP): The postponing of considerati on of an agendaed bill, sometimes referred to as “temporarily passed”, “temporarily deferred” or “ TP’d” Withdraw (WD) : Remove from considerati on by the body KNOW BEFORE YOU GO! Where is the decision made? State, Federal, Local? What Committees? Who are the decision makers? Who are the House & Senate leadership? Who chairs the committees? Who sits on the committees? Who are your champions- or who can become one? When is the vote(s) happening? BUILDING RELATIONSHIP Relationship Building It takes time! Most bills take years to become laws. It’s not enough that you know your legislators name, they need to know your name! Become a resource for legislators. They are always looking for reliable, factual information. Have the courtesy to let them know if you oppose their legislation BEFORE publicly doing so. And have some solutions ready to suggest, just in case they want to reach a compromise! The composition of the legislature may change, but staff often stay the same. BUILDING A COALITION Coalition Building Find like-minded groups to meet the same goal Don’t reinvent the wheel If an alliance doesn’t work for the cause, drop it! PLANNING Planning: Set goals and identify targets Define tasks and create roles: What steps need to be taken and who will do the work? Use the campaign strategy worksheet Use multiple platforms: Education and awareness events Action alerts Public speaking Media (LTEs/op-eds/ads) Blogs Social Media Others? TRACKING Sign up on the House (myfloridahouse.gov) and Senate (flsenate.gov) webpages for free bill tracking. You will receive regular emailed updates on the progress of your legislation including which committees are reading it, what the vote count is, and who voted which way. COMMUNICATING EFFECTIVELY Make an appointment! Contact the staff member listed on their website. Visit their district office, it’s easier and usually more effective! COMMUNICATING EFFECTIVELY COMMUNICATING EFFECTIVELY Be on time Dress to impress Have literature and your request in writing Be knowledgeable about the issue (but don’t worry about knowing everything!) Make specific requests Please co-sponsor this bill Please put this bill on your committee agenda Please ask the Speaker of the House to support this issue Follow up with a thank you note COMMUNICATING EFFECTIVELY Know your audience and do research in advance! If supportive: Help them become a champion Give them resources, information and support If opposed: Move on, and think about ways to neutralize their opposition If undecided: Figure out what they need to become a supported (information, public cover, personal testimony, etc.) COMMUNICATING EFFECTIVELY Things you should NEVER EVER do: Whine Threaten Misrepresent facts Malign the opposition Personalize differences of opinion Burn bridges Promise endorsement Remember, influencing change requires positive, trusting, long-term relationships! THE LONG GAME Many bills take years to make it through the legislative process Constant public pressure keeps the ball rolling They can’t ignore an issue that doesn’t go away Never give up! THE LAWS OF THE LAND No substantial par t of the activities of Sur frider can go towards propaganda or attempts to influence legislation. However, only legislative lobbying is restricted, not lobbying in general. Approximately 20% of Sur frider’s total budget is allowed for all lobbying and a quar ter of that (5%) is allowed for grassroots lobbying. You must repor t funds and hour s to HQ For lobbying questions or concerns, contact Angela Howe at ahowe@sur frider.org 2015 KEY DATES March 3 rd : 2015 Legislative Session Begins March 3 rd : Deadline for filing bills for introduction March 25 th : Surfrider Lobby Day at the Florida Capitol April 21 st : Last day of Committee meetings May 1 st : Last day of Legislative Session RESOURCES Florida House: http://www.myfloridahouse.gov Florida Senate: http://www.flsenate.gov ChapterNET: http://chapternet.surfrider.org Special thanks to our friends at REThink Energy Florida for portions of this presentation: rethinkenergyflorida.org