2014 Florida Chapter Conference

LOBBYING 101

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!

WHAT IS LOBBYING?

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!

THE BASICS

I’M JUST A BILL…

HOW A BILL BECOMES LAW

Bill is fi led and given a number (HB for House, SB for Senate)

Bill must have three readingsBill goes to committees (Committees of Reference)Bill must be put on each committee agendaBill must pass out of each committee “favorably” Bill must be voted on by both housesBill must go to Conference Committee to iron out

language diff erences Conference Committee issues a report on billFinal vote occurs in both housesGovernor signs or doesn’t sign within 15 days of

transmittal

Committee Substitute (CS or CS1): A bi l l going through the committee hearing process sometimes has numerous amendments or the amendments change the or iginal concept of the bi l l . The bi l l is then rewritten and becomes a “Committee Substitute”

Committee Substitute for Committee Substitute (CS/CS or C2) Companion Bill: A bi l l introduced in one house which is identical or

similar to a bi l l introduced in the other house. Engrossed Bill (E): The version of a measure that incorporates adopted

fl oor amendments Enrolled Bill (ER): A measure approved by both houses and signed by

the legislative offi cers which is sent to the Governor for action General Bil l (GB, HB, SB): A bi l l of general statewide interest Proposed Committee Substitute (PCS): A proposal that represented

the changes that a committee intends to make to a bi l l . When voted on favorably, it becomes a committee substitute

Temporarily Postponed (TP): The postponing of consideration of an agendaed bi l l , sometimes referred to as “temporari ly passed”, “temporari ly deferred” or “TP’d”

Withdraw (WD) : Remove from consideration by the body

KEY TERMS & ACRONYMS

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?

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO!

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.

Coalition BuildingFind like-minded groups to meet the same goal

Don’t reinvent the wheel

If an alliance doesn’t work for the cause, drop it!

BUILDING A COALITION

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?

PLANNING

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.

TRACKING

Make an appointment!

Contact the staff member listed on their website.

Visit their district offi ce, it’s easier and usually more effective!

COMMUNICATING EFFECTIVELY

COMMUNICATING EFFECTIVELY

Be on timeDress to impressHave literature and your request in writingBe 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!

COMMUNICATING EFFECTIVELY

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 awayNever give up!

THE LONG GAME

No substantial part of the activities of Surfrider can go towards propaganda or attempts to infl uence legislation. However, only legislative lobbying is restricted, not lobbying in general.

Approximately 20% of Surfrider’s total budget is allowed for all lobbying and a quarter of that (5%) is allowed for grassroots lobbying.

You must report funds and hours to HQ

For lobbying questions or concerns, contact Angela Howe at ahowe@surfrider.org

THE LAWS OF THE LAND

March 3 rd: 2015 Legislative Session Begins March 3 rd: Deadline for fi ling bills for introductionMarch 25th: Surfrider Lobby Day at the Florida

CapitolApril 21st: Last day of Committee meetingsMay 1st: Last day of Legislative Session

2015 KEY DATES

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

RESOURCES