Guide to Effective Citizen Lobbying Table of Contents

GUIDE TO EFFECTIVE CITIZEN LOBBYING

Table of Contents
THE LEGISLATURE
The Legislative Environment ........................................................................................................................	7
Legislative Sessions .....................................................................................................................................	8
Types of Legislation .......................................................................................................................................	8
Reading a Bill or Resolution ............................................................................................................................	10
Creating New law (Illustration) .......................................................................................................................	11
Amending Existing Law (Illustration) .............................................................................................................	12
Repealing Existing Law (Illustration) ..............................................................................................................	13
Conference Committee ..................................................................................................................................	14
Legislative Role of the Governor .....................................................................................................................	14
The Appropriations Process ............................................................................................................................	15
Publication of Laws ........................................................................................................................................	16
Branches of Government ...............................................................................................................................	17
Map of Capital Complex ..................................................................................................................................	18

LOBBYING
How Can Citizens Influence the Legislative Process? ...................................................................................	21
Chart: Course of Bill Through the Oklahoma Legislature ..............................................................................	25
Coalitions .....................................................................................................................................................	26
Lobbying Tips ................................................................................................................................................	27
Lobbying in Person ...............................................................................................................................	27
How to Get the Most Out of Committee Meetings .................................................................................	28
How to Write Testimony .......................................................................................................................	29
Presenting Testimony ...........................................................................................................................	30
How to Write Legislators? .....................................................................................................................	31
How to Address Your Elected Official .....................................................................................................	32
Involving the Media .......................................................................................................................................	33
Preparing News Releases .....................................................................................................................	33
Media Resources ..................................................................................................................................	35
Press Conferences ...............................................................................................................................	35
Lobbyist Information ...................................................................................................................................	36
Internet .......................................................................................................................................................	39
Useful Publications ........................................................................................................................................	41

LAWS AND REGULATIONS
Lobbyist Registration .....................................................................................................................................	45
Lobbying Activities by Tax-Exempt Organizations ............................................................................................	47

APPENDIX
Glossary of Legislative terms .........................................................................................................................	51

REFERENCES AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ...............................................................................................	63

LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS ....................................................................................................................	67