1. ND Legislative Assembly Structure How to Contact Legislators How to Testify Wanda Rose, PhD, RN, BC Associate Dean Sanford College of Nursing

2. ND Legislative Assembly

3. 47 Senators ( 1 Senator from each District) 94 Representatives ( 2 Representative from each District ) Legislators serve a four year term with staggering terms Legislative members take office December 1 of even-numbered years. Legislative Assembly convenes in regular session the first week of January in odd-numbered years. Legislative Assembly can meet for up to 80 days for a regular session.

4. Standing Committees House of Representatives Appropriation (M-F) Agriculture (Th-F) Agriculture Education (M-W) Education Energy and Natural (Th-F) Energy and Natural Finance and Tax Finance and Government and Veterans Affairs Human Services (M-W) Human Services Industry, Business and Labor (M- W) Industry, Business and Labor Judiciary (M-W) Judiciary Political Subdivisions (Th-F) Political Subdivisions Transportation (Th-F) Transportation Senate Appropriation (M-F) Agriculture (Th-F) Agriculture Education (M-W) Education Energy and Natural (Th-F) Energy and Natural Finance and Tax Finance and Government and Veterans Affairs Human Services (M-W) Human Services Industry, Business and Labor (M- W) Industry, Business and Labor Judiciary (M-W) Judiciary Political Subdivisions (Th-F) Political Subdivisions Transportation (Th-F) Transportation

5. How to Contact Your Legislator Phone Call – 1-888-NDLEGIS (635-3447) or – 701-328-3373 (local). E-mail : www.legis.nd.gov.www.legis.nd.gov Letter – State Capitol – 600 East Blvd. Ave., – Bismarck, ND 58505-0130 Face-to-Face Visit

6. Tips on effective e-mail and letter writing: Be brief Short, direct letters are the most effective. Be specific Deal with just one subject or issue in your letter, and state your topic clearly in the first paragraph. (Include Bill number i.e HB 1091) Be personal Letters are most effective when they reflect your personal experiences and views in your own words. Form letters don't carry as much weight as a letter that you have written yourself. Be sure to give your name and address Legislators and other decision makers pay most attention to letters that come from their constituents-people who will be voting for or against them-so it's important to let them know you are from their district. Including your contact information also enables elected officials to respond to your concerns. Be persistent Write often, especially to legislators who are undecided on an issue.

7. How to Testify Know the purpose and approach for your testimony. – Coordinate with others who share your opinion Carefully prepare your testimony. – Never wing it – 3-5 minutes – Type written 3 hole punch Establish rapport with the committee. – Wait to be Acknowledged by the Committee Chair – Start by saying, “ Madam (or Mister) Chair." Members of the committee – Introduce your self. Present your testimony effectively. – Practice – Be conversational Keep it simple (KIS). – Be specific. – State purpose of testimony. “I’m in favor or not in favor – of HB (SB bill) because” – Use examples Answer questions – Stick to the topic of the question – If you don’t know the answer, just say so Google images