Introducing Legislation
In order to get a bill introduced, you must first identify a legislator who is willing to introduce your bill. It is best to introduce your bill in both the House and Senate for consideration at the same time, so you will need a sponsor (author), for each chamber.

You should approach a potential sponsor who has some understanding of the issue. It helps if that sponsor is a member of the majority party and a member of the committee that will consider the bill. At the same time, you should also identify co-sponsors from both parties so the sponsor will know that he or she has support even before the legislation is “officially” introduced.

Before asking an elected official to introduce your bill, it is imperative to think through the proposed legislation. Make sure to double check your facts and figures before presenting them to the potential sponsor. Because of limited staffs, state legislators must often trust outside resources to provide them with all the information to make a decision. Do not abuse this opportunity by not presenting all the facts, including the pros and cons, flaws, and hurdles that the bill must overcome. Your thoroughness will ensure that the sponsor will not be subjected to any unwelcome surprises.

The most important thing of all is that you must commit to supporting your bill through the entire process. It is usually a very long road to success, often taking years of hard work and dedication. The sponsor must know that you are willing to make the same commitment you are asking of him/her. This support includes providing information about the bill, attending hearings, and securing co-sponsors for the legislation. Other activities include writing to legislators, testifying, and meeting with members of both chambers. This can mean the difference between success and failure.

Check with Opportunity Finance Network before you begin work on a bill. We may have "model legislation" that you can use as a starting point for you and your legislators to write a bill.

Interacting with State Legislators
Remember, it is much easier to “kill” a bill than it is to get it passed. It is important that you do everything you can to inform legislators of your bill's importance. To effectively influence legislation, there are a number of approaches and techniques available to interact with elected officials.

Monitoring Legislation
In order to identify, assess, and influence legislation, it is important to develop an efficient monitoring process. Many state legislatures publish records of daily legislative activities including committee schedules and votes. You can usually request the records from the Secretary of State’s office, the Secretary of the Senate, or the Chief Clerk of the Assembly. Ask to be placed on their e-mail or mailing lists.

There are also numerous subscription services available such as Westlaw and Lexis. These services are very expensive, however and cover all 50 states. You may be able to find a monitoring service for your state only. You can ask the Secretary of State’s office if they know of any such services. Finally, you can also find information in your local newspaper. Many publications post schedules and summaries of proposed legislation.