LOBBYING FOR FUN AND FIJA If you like to discuss, debate, argue, persuade, explain, or otherwise promote a point of view, you'd probably be an effective lobbyist, because that's the job description. Tools of the trade include the gift of gab, commitment, and the ability to get down to your state capitol on short notice. That means this article is written expressly for committed, extroverted FIJActivists who live in (or within short commuting distance of) their state's capital. This is an introductory article on how to lobby--hopefully at least sufficiently instructive to persuade a few persuaders to roll up their cuffs and wade in--for FIJA! First, if necessary (and it usually isn't,if you're unpaid), register yourself as a lobbyist with the secretary of state, or whoever handles that function in your state. Registration is generally either free or costs a nominal sum, and may come with a few useful handouts such as a legislative directory, rules of the game, a map of the capitol building showing the locations of the various committee meeting rooms, etc. Even if you don't register, you'll want to obtain these materials. Next, buy and wear a high-quality identification badge that gives your name, followed by position and organization: "Susan B. Smith, Lobbyist, Fully Informed Jury Amendment." Get to work: Make and keep appointments with the right people first. These include the state senator and representative from your own neck of the woods, and the chairmen of both House and Senate Judiciary Committees. Also included is anyone else they recommend you approach. Your job is to come up with the most relevant, respected and powerful sponsors for FIJA that you can. In most states, it takes a two-thirds vote in each house to place a constitutional referendum on the ballot, so aim high. Start early. Even prior to elections, it is appropriate to approach both incumbents and challengers with your ideas, and get advice on what to do and who else to see. The sooner you have a sponsor, the sooner that person can "get it in the hopper"-- beginning with its submission to the legislative council for evaluation of implications, suggested wording and location for it in the body of law it would amend, assigning a bill number, etc. Once you have a sponsor, the next thing to find are others willing to "sign on" (which they literally do, right on a copy of the bill which you pack around) as co-sponsors. Generally, even though your bill starts in one house, it is appropriate to locate FIJA sponsors and co-sponsors in both houses as soon as possible, (optimally, members of the committee to which your bill will most likely be assigned). Again, the first signer from the other house is the bill's sponsor there, so make a thoughtful choice. Other significant co-sponsors include the members of related committees in both houses (for example, state administration or state government committees), legislators from points across the political spectrum, and anyone whose name keeps coming up as "someone you ought to talk to". The total number of signers can be important, especially on a bill requiring such a high vote. At some point, of course, the law of diminishing returns will apply. Then turn the signed bill in to your sponsor, who will file it with the appropriate secretary (house/senate), then introduce it to that body: its "first reading". Afterward, the speaker of the house (or president of the senate) will assign the bill to a committee (for FIJA, expect judiciary committee), and a committee hearing date for FIJA (and other bills) will be scheduled and published. Then tell time, room, etc. to those you've invited to join you in testifying in favor of FIJA at this first main event. Here again, breadth is the key: recruit both Republicans and Democrats, conservatives and constitutionalists plus liberals and progressives, criminal defense lawyers, gun rights advocates, minority representatives, environmental activists, anti-seatbelt spokespersons, your bill's sponsors, ex-judges, both pro-choice and pro-life representatives, victims of verdicts by uninformed juries, guilt-ridden ex-jurors, nuclear power plant protesters, taxpayer rights groups, law school professors, peace groups, home schoolers, good-government groups, marijuana decriminalizers, right-to-die advocates, anti-helmet-law activists, Populists, Greens, public defenders, civil libertarians--Americans! Numbers also count, which means you'll need to invest some of your abundant persuasiveness in friends, other FIJActivists, and political allies (including other lobbyists--with whom you may wish to exchange appearances) to get them to show up and testify. Obviously, this is homework which should already be at least partly done by the time the session begins. After the hearing, at least several days will elapse before the committee meets again to discuss bills and vote on them. It is during this period that you'll want to make contact with its members, spending time with as many "undecideds" as it takes to form a majority when combined with those already supportive. Breakfast and lunch dates with committee members (your tab), are appropriate times to lobby, as are appointments made during the "office hours" most legislators post and try to keep. Be well practiced on how to answer "the hard questions", because that's what you'll get. These "undecideds", remember, are those who came away from your hearing incompletely sold on FIJA. If a majority doesn't come easily, you may have to change a few words to accommodate objections. This can be tricky, and it's best to consult with your sponsor and your state FIJA coordinator before changing the original wording. Assuming FIJA eventually makes it through committee, with or without alteration, it will go on the calendar of the house or senate, as the case may be. When the time arrives, your sponsor will open it for debate on the floor: its "second reading". The relevant homework is to have sent a one-page (maximum!) letter to all members of the appropriate house a day or two before your bill goes to the floor for debate. A punchy cover letter which hits the high spots is all this should be, because each member will already have a copy of the bill. Debates and votes on any and all proposed amendments will follow. Lobbying during this time must be conducted by sending messages in to legislators via official page, mostly comments to your sponsor on any fault you find with a particular amendment, alternative language that you'd prefer, concessions you can live with, etc. Then comes the "third reading", and the vote. If the bill passes, it will be transferred to the other house, where you repeat all of the above, with the sponsor from that house leading the way through committees and floor actions. If nothing--not a single word--changes in the process, and it passes again, it will be sent to the governor (the bill is "enrolled"). If signed into law, your work is done, except that you may be asked to help word FIJA for the ballot, for voter information publications, etc. In any case, congratulations are in order! If your bill fails in the first house, see if you can have it returned to committee for further debate, rewording, etc.--all done through your sponsor, unless another hearing is scheduled. If that doesn't work, your sponsor may be able to get it heard in another committee, in either house. Don't quit easily--every committee is a new mix of lawmakers to talk to, and the main idea is to get it out on the floor for debate. Very often, a bill will make it through both houses, but in slightly different language. The usual procedure is for it to go back to the house of origin where, if the changes are accepted, the bill is enrolled. If the changes are not accepted, the bill may be sent to a conference committee, containing members of both houses. Again, via your sponsor, you lobby for the best possible compromise, which will have to be accepted on the floor of both houses before it is enrolled and sent to the governor. Even more congratulations if you have to go through any or all of this, but still manage to succeed! In summary, lobbying is an exciting mix of gab, organization and timing. This brief sketch should be just enough to get you going, but 99% will be learned "on the job". Never be afraid to ask your sponsor, other lobbyists, or legislative personnel for advice and help. They're almost always glad to give it. Remember too that the upcoming FIJA Conference will feature a workshop on lobbying, should you want to be more fully prepared before your legislature begins its 1991 session.