Military Legislative Symposium Presented by Lynn Stokes-Murray

1. Military Legislative Symposium Presented by Lynn Stokes-Murray

2. South Carolina legislative Affairs What we do Provide an effective state legislative and governmental presence for the South Carolina National Guard and the South Carolina Military Base Task Force. Develop South Carolina agenda and work to pass or defend against filed legislation. Facilitate meetings with key officials and staff. Solicit support and advocacy from Governor’s office and state agencies.

3. 2017-18 LEGISLATIVE SESSION

4. South Carolina Military Base Task Force • Military Connected Children’s Program $575,000 • SC Department of Commerce $600,000 APPROPRIATIONS 2018-19 Appropriations Bill

5. APPROPRIATIONS 2018-19 Appropriations Bill Adjutant General Appropriations • General Fund • National Guard Retirement $475,727 • Emergency Preparedness $451,000 • SC State Guard – Personnel Expense $120,000 • Armory Revitalizations $1,550,000 • State Operations Expenses $115,000 • Standalone latrines $107,547 • Infrastructure Improvements $325,000 • Total $3,144,274 Lottery Funding – CAP Program • CHE Tuition Repayment $753,603 • CHE Tuition Repayment $1,877,526 • Military Connected Children Program $350,000 • Total $2,981,129

6. Capital reserve fund H. 4951 Armory Revitalizations $3,000,000

7. EOC Military-Connected children 1a.69 Directed to expend over $500,000 to conduct training in multiple school districts with high military density, a pilot program that will provide training, services, resources and research to teachers, counselors, mental health professionals, school nurses, service providers and military parents. The objective of the pilot is to increase the level of educational quality and support for military-connected children. The training and services must be provided by a non-profit entity that is an NBCC-Approved Continuing Education Provider and is an authorized provider by the international Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET).

8. MILITARY LEGISLATION

9. MILITARY LEGISLATION ENACTED SC Giving Back to Our Veterans Act Military Leave for State Employees Operating an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle F-35: S.226 and H. 3612 South Carolina National Guard College Assistance Program National Guard Day: S. 1115; H. 3917; and H. 5095 In-State Tuition Real ID Recognizing and Honoring Fort Jackson’s 100th Year Resolution to Honor Theodore Wilder State Emergency Management Atomic Veterans Atomic Veterans Day Military Priority Registration Act Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day Month of the Military Child

10. MILITARY LEGISLATION Not ENACTED Drone Restricts Near Military Bases Veterans Day: S. 223 and H. 3590 Vehicle Tax for Prisoners of War SC Youth Challenge Academy and SC jobs Challenge Program Expungement Act Covered Individuals Property Taxes for Service Members in or Near a Hazard Duty Zone Lottery Scholarships Homeowners’ Association Regime Fee Fairness to Deployed Service Members Act In-State Tuition SC Giving Back to Our Veterans Act SC National Guard Pension Property Taxes Driver’s License Museum Admission County Veterans Office County Veterans’ Affairs Officer Hurricane Preparedness Weekend South Carolina Youth Challenge Academy and South Carolina Jobs Challenge Program Expungement Act SC Service Members Civil Relief Act Hurricane Matthew Clean-Up Costs Military Mobilization Resident Vendor Preferences Under the Consolidated Procurement Code Special License Plates SC Income Tax Reduction Veterans Highway Assessment Ratios Naval Criminal Investigative Agents

11. 2019 Military legislation priorities Designate SC Division of Veterans Affairs as the Department of Veteran Affairs within the Executive Branch of government. Drone restrictions over Military Bases. Military Retirement Income Exemption. In-state tuition for veterans. Compliance with SC Uniform Voters Act. SC Service Members Civil Relief Act. Military Spouse Certification Act/Credentialing Act/Remote School Enrollment Act. Military Priority Registration Act. NCIS Agents recognized in SC. Wind Energy Regulation & Siting Act. Veterans Nursing Homes, $37 million.

12. ADVOCACY

13. Politics is the business of relationships One advocate that has personal relationships with an elected official can have as much impact as ten random constituents. All politics is local • Sam Rayburn Home Folks Matter Most • Thomas Hale Boggs advocacy

14. Lobbying or Advocacy Lobbying – lobbyists are defined as “individuals who are paid to communicate with public office holders in an attempt to influence government decisions.” Advocacy – An advocate is someone who speaks up for others. The advocate may be an individual, or an organization. Advocacy involves identifying, embracing and promoting a cause. Advocacy is an effort to shape public perception or to affect change that may or may not require legislation. advocacy

15. How can veteran organizations help? Humanize policy. Make it personal. Communication. Coordination of message. Coverage. Constituent contact. Identify issue – what is your concern or focus? Set goals – what is your objective? Build coalitions. Personalized approaches to political leaders. Real people explaining real concerns. advocacy

16. Thou shalt lobby/advocate Listen. • Learn what matters most to your legislator Be honest. • Tell the truth. Be courteous. • Remember to say thank you. Know your facts. • Don’t be afraid to acknowledge that you don’t know all the facts; but do research and get facts. Be direct. • Keep it simple. Ask for support. • Close the deal. advocacy

17. Maximizing your effectiveness Get to know your legislators while they are candidates. Be involved in campaigns. Invite your legislator to visit your Veteran meetings, Legion meetings, Rotary Club, etc. Know your Military Caucus Members. advocacy

18. How to write an effective lobbying letter In communicating your ideas and positions on issues with legislators, writing a letter is sometimes an effective option. The following are tips on how to write your legislator about an issue. Use your personal stationary when writing a legislator. Indicate immediately which bill or issue you are addressing. Get to the point of your letter quickly: your support for or the opposition to the bill. Provide concrete, credible information on the impact of the proposed legislation. Act promptly. Too many good letters arrive after a vote has already been taken on an issue. Keep your letter short. A succinct, one page letter will have more impact than a larger one. If the legislator does what you ask him to do, be certain to send a letter thanking he/she for their vote. advocacy

19. QUESTIONS?

20. DISCLAIMER This presentation and related materials were created by McNair Law Firm, P.A. for informational purposes only. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome in other cases. The presenters of this material are not providing legal advice nor should the information contained within this presentation and related materials be misinterpreted as legal advice. The audience should not rely on any comments made during this presentation as answering a specific individual legal need or question. This presentation and all related materials are being distributed by or on behalf of McNair Law Firm, P.A., or a lawyer within the law firm. The distributor does not intend to waive any privilege, including the attorney-client privilege, that may attach to this distribution. Recipients of this material are not authorized to copy, forward or disseminate this material without the consent of McNair Law Firm, P.A.