West Virginia Legislative Process
Classes:
Introduction > Legislative Process > Policy Making > Committee System > Bill Becomes Law > Take the Test > Resources
Citizen's Guide > Contacting Your Legislator > Drafting The Bill > Develop And Know Your Issue
A Citizen's Guide to Public Policymaking in West Virginia
Condensed from original as published by the West Virginia Women's Commission
This Guide was published to answer the questions:
- What can I do about issues that I care about?
- How do I let my legislator know how I feel?
- How can I influence public policy?
- Can I really make a difference?
Initiating Action
Before you take any action, find out the appropriate place to address your issue before you begin so you do not waste time and effort.
For example, you may be concerned with something that is already a law but is not being enforced. In this case, address the issue with the government agency responsible for enforcing law before you take any other action.
A change in the State Constitution requires considerable resources in influencing not only legislators, but also a majority of the state's voters.
Penalty provisions of an existing law may be changed legislatively, but enforcement in individual cases cannot be mandated through the State Law.
Getting Prepared
- First you must separate your issue or bill from the hundreds of others that are being considered by legislators.
- The more information you have the more effective you can be in getting your point across.
- You can offer assistance to your elected officials by providing information because they are not experts on every issue.
- You must learn the legislative process in order to develop and know your issue. It also helps you be knowledgeable about your legislator.
Learning The Legislative Process
Understanding the legislative process before you begin your effort is essential.
It is helpful to look at the following areas first:
- where do the various committees meet.
- which legislators serve on the various committees.
- what is the composition of a bill and how do you read it.
- how do you follow the progress of your bill in the journals of each house.
Find out the names of the "Leadership" of both the House and Senate. The leadership consists of the members of the rules committee in each body.
Rules Committees are:
- Chairperson of each major standing committee.
- House Speaker
- Senate President
- Majority leaders
- Minority leaders
These committees are very important, because they influence the flow of legislation issues.
Information Sources
Gathering information is important in preparing yourself for legislative work. Below are a few sources of information worth investigating.
- Legislative Public Information 800-642-8650--Provides and relays the following information and more:
- The handbook "A Guide Through the Legislative Process"
- The brochure "How a Bill Becomes Law"
- A current directory of the legislative members
- Status of bills
- Information about legislators
- Wrap-Up, a weekly report on legislative activities
- Citizen messages to legislator
- Governor's Office 304-558-2000
- Office of Legislative Services 304-558-2040
- Senate Clerk's Office 304-357-7800
- House Clerk's Office 304-340-3200
- Ethics Commission 304-558-0664
