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 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 differences  Conference Committee issues a report on bill  Final vote occurs in both houses  Governor signs or doesn’t sign within 15 days of transmittal

 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 version of a measure that incorporates adopted floor amendments  Enrolled Bill (ER): A measure approved by both houses and signed by the legislative officers 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 consideration of an agendaed bill, sometimes referred to as “temporarily passed”, “temporarily 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 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! 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 ed 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 office, it’s easier and usually more effective! 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! 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 away  Never give up! THE LONG GAME

 No substantial part of the activities of Surfrider can go towards propaganda or attempts to influence 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 THE LAWS OF THE LAND

 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 2015 KEY DATES

 Florida House:   Florida Senate:   ChapterNET:   Special thanks to our friends at REThink Energy Florida for portions of this presentation: rethinkenergyflorida.org RESOURCES