Nursing Matters! Legislative Etiquette & Effectiveness

Lisa Thomas, PhD, RN, CNE, FAAN Associate Professor Orvis School of Nursing University of , Reno

• Individual • Nurses are the most trusted profession • You have a story to tell • Legislators want to hear from you! Nursing • You want to be their nursing Impact on “person” Legislation • Professional Organizations • 3.9 Million Registered Nurses in U.S. • 25,000+ in Nevada • Power in numbers • Nevada legislators are regular folk! • Nevada legislators are not full time politicians Citizen • Because they live and work in our community, they have a Legislature direct understanding of the issues that impact our state

• Michael Sprinkle | Paramedic/Firefighter • Richard Carrillo | Business Owner, Contractor, Refrigeration Instructor, Realtor • Alexander Assefa | Small Business Owner Assembly • | Grievance Specialist Health and • | Vice-President of Business Development, Positively Kids Human • Connie Munk | Mental Health Professional/Addiction Counselor (Retired) Services • | Attorney Committee • Tyrone Thompson | Public Administrator • Gregory Hafan | Utility Manager • John Hambrick | Investigator (Retired) • | Political Science Professor TMCC • Robin Titus | Family Practice Physician • Who are my representatives? • http://mapserve1.leg.state.nv.u s/whoRU/ Who are Your • Legislator Bio & Contact Information Legislators • https://www.leg.state.nv.us/App /Legislator/A/Assembly • https://www.leg.state.nv.us/App /Legislator/A/Senate

In Person • Make an appointment • Legislative assistant – i.e. Communicating your new best friend! With Your • Clear and succinct ~ Legislator Elevator Speech! • Bring written material for later review • White paper In Writing • Address “Honorable [First Name] [Last Name]” • Salutation “Dear Assemblyman [Last Name] or Senator [Last Name]” • Identify yourself as a registered nurse - Communicating and as a constituent if applicable With Your • Focus on key points • One page maximum Legislator • Use common language - few legislators have medical expertise • Tone should be polite and informative – avoid threats and indignation • Provide contact information and offer your expertise • Say what you want them to do! • Support? Oppose? Co-sponsor?

Committee Hearing • Find out when/where the bill will be heard https://www.leg.state.nv.us/App/NELIS/REL/80 th2019/Bills/List • Personalized Legislative Tracking – Track 10 bills for free! https://www.leg.state.nv.us/App/NELIS/REL/80 Communicating th2019/Plt With Your Legislator • Sign in and indicate whether you support/oppose and if you wish to testify • Leave business cards with the committee secretaries. • Make some ‘generic’ cards if you are representing yourself. Include RN, [Credentials] Committee Hearing • Be patient Agendas are frequently re-ordered and speakers called at an order that is most advantageous to the bill sponsor

• Address the chair/members of the Communicating committee “Madam/Mr chair(man) & members of With Your the [committee]” Legislator • Introduce yourself and who you represent “My name is [First] [Last]. I am here today representing myself [or agency you represent]” • State your position “I am in support of/opposed to this bill because…”

Committee Hearing

• Anticipate that time for verbal testimony will be brief. Bring additional written comments to which legislators can refer. Bring 30 copies of everything. • Hit the salient points • Try not to read from prepared Communicating testimony With Your • Be prepared for questions – It’s ok to say Legislator “I don’t know” and offer to follow up! • Committee members will come and go during these meetings. • Don’t expect any action to be taken right away. • Watch NELIS for updates • Personalized bill tracking Your If you’re not at the table, Voice you most certainly will be on the menu! Matters!