LEGISLATIVE ABSTRACT [Draw your reader in with an engaging abstract. It is typically a short summary of the document. ADVOCACY When you’re ready to add your content, just click here and start typing.] Kimberly Mull HANDBOOK Policy Specialist 2017 Edition Contents Disclaimer ................................................................................................................................................................................... 4 Introduction ............................................................................................................................................................................... 5 Lobbying ...................................................................................................................................................................................... 6 Nonprofits Can and Should Lobby ................................................................................................................................ 6 Federal Rights & Restrictions ........................................................................................................................................ 6 Federal Law Protects Nonprofit Advocacy & Lobbying ................................................................................. 6 United States Constitution ......................................................................................................................................... 6 United States Congress ................................................................................................................................................ 6 IRS 501(h) Election Expenditures Test ..................................................................................................................... 7 IRS’ Take on Lobbying ...................................................................................................................................................... 8 Direct Lobbying ................................................................................................................................................................... 8 Grassroots Lobbying ......................................................................................................................................................... 8 Lobbying Element Definitions ....................................................................................................................................... 9 Communication ............................................................................................................................................................... 9 Legislator ........................................................................................................................................................................... 9 Public .................................................................................................................................................................................. 9 Expresses a view about specific legislation ........................................................................................................ 9 Call to action ..................................................................................................................................................................... 9 Not Lobbying ...................................................................................................................................................................... 10 Areas of Caution ..................................................................................................................................................................... 11 Watch Your Time .............................................................................................................................................................. 11 Know the Rules .................................................................................................................................................................. 11 Make Sure Everyone Knows the Rules .................................................................................................................... 11 Elections ............................................................................................................................................................................... 11 Federal or State Funds .................................................................................................................................................... 11 Top Ten Rules for Advocacy.............................................................................................................................................. 12 Building Relationships with Legislators ...................................................................................................................... 13 Communicating Your Message .................................................................................................................................... 13 Ways to Connect ................................................................................................................................................................ 14 Phone Calls ..................................................................................................................................................................... 14 Sample Script for Phoning a Policymaker ..................................................................................................... 15 NCEDSV Legislative Advocacy Handbook – 2017 Edition 1 | P a g e E- mail ..... 16 Sample E-mail to a Policymaker ....................................................................................................................... 17 Writing Letters .............................................................................................................................................................. 18 Sample Letter Supporting Legislation ............................................................................................................ 19 Testifying Before the Legislature .......................................................................................................................... 20 Sample Testimony .................................................................................................................................................. 21 Social Media.................................................................................................................................................................... 22 Sample Social Media .............................................................................................................................................. 23 Tour Your Facility ........................................................................................................................................................ 24 Nevada Legislative Introduction ..................................................................................................................................... 25 Overview.......................................................................................................................................................................... 25 Nevada Assembly and Senate ................................................................................................................................. 25 Regular Sessions of the Nevada Legislature ..................................................................................................... 25 Special Sessions of the Nevada Legislature ....................................................................................................... 26 Terms of Office .............................................................................................................................................................. 26 Legislative Council Bureau ....................................................................................................................................... 26 Interim Committees of the Nevada Legislature.................................. Error! Bookmark not defined. Nevada Legislature Live Online Broadcasts ........................................ Error! Bookmark not defined. Nevada Legislative Process ............................................................................................................................................... 27 Law Making 101 ................................................................................................................................................................ 27 Initial Steps by the Author ....................................................................................................................................... 27 Idea ...................................................................................................................................................................... 27 Drafting .............................................................................................................................................................. 27 Introduction and First Reading ............................................................................................................... 27 Action in the House of Origin .................................................................................................................................. 27 Committee