1. Building Relationships with Your Legislators Estie Harris Meagan Frazier, Esq.

2. Smith Harris & Carr

3. How do you talk to state legislators?

4. Maintain Veterinar Practice Act 2013 Know your issues Know your legislator

5. You + Them= A Good Relationship

6. How to Build a Relationship? They serve as “citizen legislators” Research them prior to meeting them- What organizations are they a member of? What church? Family? Profession? www.capitol.tn.gov

7. Create an Opportunity Invite into your facility or to view a program Invite to coffee at a place that provides supportive employment Invite to a holiday party with your staff and service recipients

8. How to Communicate with your Legislators Be courteous, Be prepared, Be personal, Be honest Be honest Do not use too many acronyms Start with the basics- MH vs. ID Goal- Your legislator thinks of you first when an disability bill is being considered

9. Be familiar with the legislative environment and process

10. 109 th General Assembly Senate –Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey – 33 Members 28 Republicans 5 Democrats House –Speaker Beth Harwell –99 Members 73 Republicans 26 Democrats

11. 109 th General Assembly Republican Governor Bill Haslam with 21 state departments

12. How does a bill become law? Introduced in both the Senate & House Referred to appropriate House/Senate Committee Must pass out of its assigned committee and a subcommittee in the House. Must pass through Finance if it costs $

13. How does a bill become law? Pass the Senate by 17 votes Signed by Lt. Governor Pass the House by 50 votes Signed by House Speaker

14. Most Important Committees to TNCO Senate Health & Welfare Senator Rusty Crowe, Chair Senator Bo Watson, 1 st Vice Chair Senator Joey Hensley, 2 nd Vice Chair Senator Richard Briggs Senator Ed Jackson Senator Becky Massey Senator Randy McNally Senator Doug Overbey Senator Jeff Yarbro

15. Most Important Committees to TNCO House Health Rep. Cameron Sexton, Chair Rep. Barry Doss, Vice Chair Rep. Ryan Williams, Sub-committee Chair Rep. John Ray Clemmons Rep. John Deberry Rep. Jeremy Faison Rep. Joanne Favors Rep. Mike Harrison (not for long) Rep. Matthew Hill Rep. John Holsclaw Rep. Sherry Jones Rep. Darren Jernigan Rep. Sabi Kumar, M.D. Rep. Mary Littleton Rep. Judd Matheny Rep. Bob Ramsey Rep. Bryan Terry Rep. Leigh Wilburn

16. Other Committees of Importance House Government Operations Senate Government Operations Senate Finance House Finance Joint Fiscal Review

17. TNCO Day on the Hill Attend every year Make your appointment in advance Leave your business card Be on time Be kind to the staff Be flexible

18. Maintaining a Relationship Communicate consistently, not occasionally. –Add to newsletter lists. –Calls or emails to their offices are most effective if they know who you are already. –Plan at least one communication a quarter and put a reminder in your calendar

19. “Its all about who you know” –Build your relationship at home before you need something. –Communicate when things are good and not just when they are rough –CONSTITUENTS COUNT!

21. Questions???