North Dakota Public Policy Resources

2009 Session Law

2009 Legisltive Report

Contact the NDCAWS/CASAND Legislative Committee

Take Action

Write a letter to your legislator-
http://www.legis.nd.gov/assembly/61-2009/dist-legis.html
http://www.legis.nd.gov/information/general/contact.html

Call your legislator-
http://www.legis.nd.gov/assembly/61-2009/dist-legis.html

Tell Them-

  • Who you are (include agency name if calling on behalf of agency)
  • Where you are from (if calling on behalf of agency, include entire service area, not just where agency is located)
  • What you are calling about (be specific, what bill number or budget amendment line item)
  • What you want from them (e.g., support for a bill, opposition to a budget cut, action on a proposal).

Visit your legislator-

Your visit should include:

  • Who you are and the name of your agency (if you are visiting on behalf of an agency)
  • Where you are from and where your agency is located (mention entire service area)
  • The issue of concern to you
  • What you want from them (e.g., support for a bill, a budget request, action on a proposal)
  • Again, be as specific as possible. Always know your bill number(s)!

Testify at a committee hearing-

  • Testimony does not need to be long. It should be a maximum of 3 minutes, but can be much shorter than that.
  • Before you start writing your testimony or outline, figure out what key point(s) you want to make (no more than 3).
  • Start your testimony by saying who you are, the agency you represent (if testifying on behalf of the agency), and where you are from. Mention your entire service area.
  • Say why you are there – the bill number, what the bill is about, and whether you are concerned about it or support it.
  • Tell them why you are taking that position. This is where you talk about your key points. Include real-life stories from your work (protecting confidentiality, of course!), statistics from your service area, and how this legislation would impact victims and/or the services you are able to provide.
  • State what you want them to do (Please oppose or support SB # xxxxx).
  • Thank them for their time

    • National Public Policy Resources

    National Network to End Domestic Violence

    National Alliance to End Sexual Violence

    National Coalition Against Domestic Violence

    Rape, Abuse Incest National Network