ASLO Policy Tool-kit for the United States (US)

1. ASLO Policy Tool-kit for the United States (US) A guide through the legislative process Resources to help you keep up with legislative happenings Tips on how to get involved Supplementary information Tool-kit prepared for ASLO by LushaniNanayakkara in May/2017

2. I. Types of Legislation in the US • There are two types of legislation: Authorizationbills – what establishes programs and set recommended budget levels Appropriations bills – provides the actual funding for government programs and agencies per annum • Legislation may be introduced in either the House or Senate but tax law must originate in the House • Bills generally face many obstacles before and after passage. Tool-kit prepared for ASLO by Lushani Nanayakkara in May/2017

3. I. Institutions involved in the US Legislative Process Committees/Subcommittees– great influence on specific legislation. Public hearings are often given by subcommittees and committees of both the House and Senate. The Floor – House or Senate. Once the bill passes the committee stage it makes it to the floor. Conference Committee – representatives from both chambers meet to workout differences when House and Senate pass different versions of the same bill. The President – sign or veto any legislation. Congress can try to amend the legislation to the president’s liking. Tool-kit prepared for ASLO by Lushani Nanayakkara in May/2017

4. I. Legislative Process Bill introduced in House/Senate Passes bill different from other chamber Committee/subcommittee Conference committee Revises & Releases Table Releases President signs President vetoes Bill is read, debated and amended; simple majority needed to pass Bill becomes law Congress needs 2/3 majority to override Tool-kit prepared for ASLO by LushaniNanayakkara in May/2017

5. I. House Committees (relevant to water and/or science) Energy and Commerce: https://energycommerce.house.gov/ Relevant issues: broad jurisdiction. Issue areas include climate change, oil spills, waste and toxics, and drinking water Relevant subcommittees: i) Communications and Technology, ii) Energy, iii) Environment, iv) Health, v) Oversight and Investigations Natural Resources: http://naturalresources.house.gov/ Relevant issues: includes energy, resources, fisheries, oceans, climate change, species conservation and recovery Relevant subcommittees: i) Energy and Mineral Resources, ii) Federal Lands, iii) Indian, Insular and Alaska Native Affairs, iv) Oversight and Investigations, v) Water, Power and Oceans Science, Space, and Technology: https://science.house.gov/ Relevant issues: jurisdiction over much of the non-defense R&D portfolio (NSF, NIST, EPA, NOAA) Relevant subcommittees: i) Energy, ii) Environment, iii) Oversight, iv) Research & Technology, v) Space Tool-kit prepared for ASLO by LushaniNanayakkara in May/2017

6. I. Senate Committees (relevant to water and/or science) Commerce, Science, and Transportation: http://www.commerce.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/home Relevant issues: coastal zone management, fisheries, oceans, weather, science and technology (R&D and policy) Relevant subcommittees: i) Communication, Technology, Innovation and the Internet, ii) Oceans, Atmosphere, Fisheries, and Coast Guard, iii) Space, Science, and Competitiveness Energy and Natural Resources: https://www.energy.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/ Relevant issues: National Energy Policy, nuclear waste, Hawaii Relevant subcommittees: i) Energy, ii) National Parks, iii) Public Lands, Forests, and Mining, iv) Water and Power Environment and Public Works: https://www.epw.senate.gov/public/ Relevant issues: pollution (air & water), toxics, environmental policy, fisheries, flood control, oceans, dams, environmental R&D Relevant subcommittees: i) Clean Air and Nuclear Safety, ii) Fisheries, Water, and Wildlife, iii) Superfund, Waste Management, and Regulatory Oversight, iv) Transportation and Infrastructure Tool-kit prepared for ASLO by Lushani Nanayakkara in May/2017

7. II. Keep Up with Policy Issues • Federal Register: https://www.federalregister.gov/ • Politico: http://www.politico.com/ • Roll Call: http://www.rollcall.com/ • The Hill: http://thehill.com/ • E&E News: https://www.eenews.net/ • AIBS Public Policy: https://policy.aibs.org/ • AIBS Washington Watch: https://www.aibs.org/washington-watch/ • FYI Policy (sign up to have alerts emailed to you): https://www.aip.org/fyi • AGU Science Policy Alerts (sign up to have alerts emailed to you): http://sciencepolicy.agu.org/spalert/ • Join the listservs of your funding agency (NOAA, NSF, USGS) • Join the listservs of your institutions public affairs/government relations office Tool-kit prepared for ASLO by Lushani Nanayakkara in May/2017

8. II. Keep up with policy issues • What’s happening in Congress? Track bills here: https://www.congress.gov/ • Submit your comments at https://www.regulations.gov/ • Look up your state government website to track what is happening at the state level. They usually list public hearings, events and meetings on the website. • Follow your lawmakers (federal, state, local) on social-media. Great way to keep track of what is happening at each level of government. Tool-kit prepared for ASLO by Lushani Nanayakkara in May/2017

9. III. Getting Involved • Attend public hearings (follow what is happening in relevant committees/subcommittees and levels of government to see what bills they are considering) • Submit comments on relevant issues, regulations etc. under review and/or consideration • Request a meeting with your representative to present your ideas, opinions, feedback and offer your services as a resource (if possible) • Get involved at the local level – submit op-eds and letters to local newspapers, contact media outlets about relevant issues Tool-kit prepared for ASLO by Lushani Nanayakkara in May/2017

10. III. Information About Contacting Your Legislators (remember that staffers are often your direct line to the legislator) Find your legislators: House (http://www.house.gov/representatives/find/), Senate (https://www.senate.gov/senators/contact/) Write: choose between an email or physical letter (you can fax it in as well) based on the urgency of the matter, if you are mailing it in. Security screenings may delay the office receiving your letter. Letters are more effective than emails. Call: more effective than emails and/or letters depending on urgency of the issue. If you’re calling about a legislative issue it’s best to call the Capitol Hill office. But if the objective of your call is to discuss a local issue or event, best to call the district office. If you are unable find the contact information on her/his website call the Capitol Switchboard at 202-224-3121. You may not get to speak to your lawmaker directly but the message will get passed along, especially if there is a high volume of calls about a particular issue. Tool-kit prepared for ASLO by LushaniNanayakkara in May/2017

11. III. Information About Contacting Your Legislators (remember that staffers are often your direct line to the legislator) Visit: scheduling a visit in the District office or Capitol Hill may take a few phone calls but don’t be discouraged. Lawmakers and staff schedules are very busy so it will help if you can be flexible/accommodating. Keeping in mind that staffers are busy and have multiple (often back-to-back) meetings, prepare an information packet with a one-pager you can leave behind so that they can re-visit your discussion, are able to refer to relevant facts and have something to pass along. District: You can try to join a Congressional Districts Visits Day group. You can also schedule a visit on your own. Contact information for the District offices should be on his/her website. Try to locate the nearest office to you before you call to schedule. Capitol Hill : you can try to join a Congressional Visits Day group. You can also schedule a visit on your own. Call the Capitol switchboard if you are unable to locate contact information. Tool-kit prepared for ASLO by Lushani Nanayakkara in May/2017

12. IV. Congressional Research Service (CRS) Resources: • CRS House procedures: http://bit.ly/CRShouse • CRS Senate procedures: http://bit.ly/CRSsenate • CRS Report: Introduction to the Legislative Process in the U.S. Congress http://bit.ly/CRScongress • CRS reports: https://crsreports.com/ • Library of Congress: https://www.loc.gov/ Tool-kit prepared for ASLO by Lushani Nanayakkara in May/2017