Learn how to be an effective advocate with our advocacy tips and tools below. Find helpful information on how to speak up for yourselves and others. And remember, one person can make a difference.
How a Bill Becomes Law in the State of Utah
- A representative submits a request for legislation to the Office of Legislative Research and General Council; an attorney drafts the legislation.
- The representative receives a copy of the legislation and approves it. The legislation is given a number and sent to the Rules Committee.
- The Rules committee reviews the bill and sends the bill to the appropriate standing committee.
- That standing committee holds a meeting in public session to review the bill. The committee can make changes to the bill or recommend it be passed as written.
- The committee reads their report to the entire House of Representatives.
- The bill is then read to the House again and explained by the sponsor.
- All other representatives may ask questions, speak on the bill, or proposes amendments to the bill at this time.
- The bill goes to a vote in the House. A bill must receive at least 38 votes to pass, out of a total of 75 Possible votes.
- If passed, the bill is sent to the Senate.
- The Senate Rules Committee reads the bill and refers it to the appropriate standing committee.
- The committee can amend the bill, propose a substitute bill, or recommend the bill be left as is.
- The committee reads their report to the entire Senate.
- The bill is read to the entire Senate again, where it is debated. The Senate votes on the bill.
- The bill must pass this first vote to be read to the Senate again.
- If it is passed, the bill is read again to the entire Senate and debated.
- The bill is voted on, and must receive at least 15 votes of a possible 20 to pass.
- After the bill has passed both houses, it is sent to the governor for his/her signature.
- If the governor does not sign a bill, it automatically becomes law; the governor also has the power to veto a bill.
- A bill becomes law 60 days following the end of the legislative session, unless it specifically states otherwise.
Tips for Effective Advocacy
Knowing the individuals who make decisions on issues is key. One of the most effective ways to influence these decision makers is to meet with either them or their staff. Remember, your legislators represent you and others in your district, but they cannot effectively represent you without your input… speak up.
- Schedule a visit by letter or phone
You can schedule to meet with a representative by phone or by faxing or mailing a letter. You will be working with the scheduler to plan your visit. If you send a letter, be sure to follow up a few days later with a phone call. - Prepare for the meeting
Know about the representative before your meeting and where they stand on your issues. Develop talking points for your meeting. If you are meeting as part of a group, plan out who will say what. Bring “leave behind” materials with you that address your issue and your stance on it. - Be prompt
Be on time, even though you may have to wait. - Be brief
You will generally not have more than 15 minutes to meet with a legislator, maybe up to 30 minutes if you are meeting with a staff person. - Get to the point
Introduce yourself and thank them for their time. Briefly explain either the issue or the bill you would like to address. State your position. Explain what you would like them to do and the reason for it. But be realistic in your requests. - Get personal
You are meeting with a legislator to persuade them to see things your way. A personal story that gives a face to the issue is a great way to do this, and provides a legislator with something to remember as they are casting their vote. - Send a thank you note
Send a note as soon as possible, thanking the legislator for their time, and include any information you promised to get them.
Letters and Emails
Legislators cannot possibly follow every issue in-depth. Therefore, your letters and emails can help direct their attention to your issue. A well written letter or email sent early in the advocacy process can have a significant impact. And the more letters a legislator receives on a particular issue, the more attention he or she will pay to that issue. One note of caution– some legislators do give more weight to letters than to emails. So if email is the best way for you to communicate because of your MS, than say so. This will make your email more persuasive.
- Address just one issue and try to keep it to one page
State your reason for writing in both the first and last paragraph. If you are writing about a particular bill, identify it by name and number. - Be factual and support your point
State your position and your rationale. Avoid emotional arguments and threats. - Get personal
Explain how the issue or bill impacts you personally. - Say thanks, for both their attention to this matter, and for previous support, if appropriate
This is just common courtesy, and shows you have been following the issues. - Ask for support
If the legislator does not support your position, ask them to reconsider. If they are already offering support, than thank them and ask them to have other legislators support the bill or issue. - Request a response
Be sure to include your full name and address so that you can receive a written response from your legislator.
Phone Calls
After visits and letters/emails, phone calls are the most effective way to communicate your views on an issue to your legislators. Remember, your legislators represent you and want to know your views. Legislators will count the number of calls that come in for and against a particular issue and numerous calls can often bring an issue to a legislator’s attention that was not previously on their radar screen.
Phone calls are also a very effective method when a quick response is needed on a bill or issue. The goal of a call is to make your view clearly known to the legislator, to identify yourself as a constituent, and to ask for a response.
Tips:
- Prepare either talking points or a script for your call.
- Calls to a district office or the state capitol or Washington, DC office are equally as effective.
- State your full name, address, and why you are calling.
- Identify yourself as a constituent.
- Ask to speak with either the legislator or the staff person who handles the issue you are calling about.
- Don’t hesitate to include a brief story to personalize the issue.
- Ask for a written reply to your call.