Quick links:
How to be a player
Your lawmakers
The bill process
Call to Action
Register to vote
State-by-state directory

How to be a player: new legislation in your state

This year's legislative labors are certain to be especially critical to the way you conduct your trucking business. Efforts likely to receive attention in legislatures across the country include highway tolls, transportation bonds, fuel taxes and speed limits, to name a few.

You can have a powerful effect on the decisions lawmakers make.

Are you ready to be a player?
Here are four easy steps to making your concerns known to those who shape your state laws:

1. If you are an OOIDA member and you don't know who your elected officials are or how to contact them, you can call the Association's Membership Department at 1-800-444-5791 and they'll look it up for you.

2. On a daily basis you can monitor the Web sites at landlinemag.com and ooida.com or tune in to "Land Line Now" on XM Channel 171 for updates on legislative action in your state. For in-depth coverage and a state-by-state accounting of action that relates to your business, read "State Update" in every issue of Land Line.

3. Don't sit on the sidelines. Contact your elected officials and express your concerns.

4. If you become aware of a new law being proposed in your home state that would affect trucking, call  Land Line at 1-800-444-5791 and ask State Legislative Editor Keith Goble to place it on the state legislative watch list.

Your lawmakers: how to contact them

While many issues important to you will be debated by lawmakers in your own home state, what happens in Washington, DC, is certain to be critical to your trucking business.

Speak up
Lawmakers can't address your concerns if they don't know what they are. Your job is to clue them in.

You may feel as though you are one small voice in our big country, but if you don't speak up, who is going to do it for you?

OOIDA has a membership of more than 154,000 professional truckers.   

If each member did their part to contact their elected officials, it would have a powerful impact on the decisions lawmakers make.

There are several ways to educate your lawmakers - write a letter to them, make a telephone call to his or her office, send them an e-mail or meet with them in person.

Write letters
Second only to meeting with the lawmaker, letters are the most respected form of communication from constituents. A letter writer is much more likely to get a response from a legislator.

Letters do not have to be long, complicated or literary masterpieces. Simply state your concern for an issue in your own words, speaking from your heart. Keep it to one subject.

At the beginning of the letter, state clearly what your subject is and your position on it. If your letter pertains to a specific piece of legislation, it helps to include the bill number.    After that, personalize the letter by describing how the issue affects you.       Then ask them to help you.

Make sure you type or write your name and complete address clearly so that they know where to send a response. Lawmakers pay particular attention to letters because an individual person has taken the time to write them. Legislators often believe that a well-written letter represents the views of many constituents who did not take the time to write.

Letters can be sent by regular mail or fax. Because of current mail screening processes, a faxed letter could reach a legislator's office as much as two weeks earlier than a letter sent through the mail.

E-mail
E-mail is not yet a sure method of communication with lawmakers.    Some offices reply and some do not.    The trend, however, is to respond to all e-mails with an automatic general acknowledgement e-mail and then follow that up with a traditional letter reply if the e-mail sender lives in the lawmaker's jurisdiction and provided his or her postal address in the e-mail message.

Calling
There is no guarantee a phone call will get nearly the same time and attention from a lawmaker or a lawmaker's staff as a letter.  

However, there still are significant benefits to phoning lawmakers, especially when time related to an issue is limited.

If you do decide to call your elected U.S. officials, the first thing to do is ask to speak to their legislative assistant - sometimes referred to as an LA - handling the issue you are calling about. If you are calling about issues related to trucking, ask for the "transportation LA." If the staffer is not there, ask for his or her name, leave a voice mail, and keep calling until they take or return your call.

Be respectful
No matter how mad you are about an issue or at a lawmaker, always try to communicate in a civil tone and use respectful language. If you are upset, by all means tell them, but do not use them as a punching bag for your words. You want them to be sympathetic to your words, not turned off.

Where to phone or write
There are only two addresses and one phone number you need to write or call your lawmakers in Washington, DC.

Addresses for Congress You need to know only one of two addresses to send a letter to your U.S. representative or senator, no matter who they are. For Senate members The Honorable (senator’s full name here) U.S. Senate Washington, DC 20510 For House of Representative members The Honorable (representative’s full name here) U.S. House of Representatives Washington, DC 20515 That’s it. You do not need to know what building their office is in or what their room number is. You just need the right ZIP code and your letter will get there.

Phone number for Congress (202) 224-3121 This is the Capitol switchboard operator, who can transfer your call to any representative or senator’s office.

The bill process: understanding how it works

Your involvement in the bill process is essential to getting lawmakers to craft legislation that reflects your views. The earlier you get involved in the process, the better.

How a bill becomes law may, at times, seem confusing. The bill process, however, is quite simple to follow once you know the basics. The process is virtually the same in state legislatures from Juneau to Jackson.

Here is how it generally works:

Idea conceived
A state representative or senator decides to sponsor a bill, which either changes current law, adds new law, or deletes existing law, sometimes at the suggestion of a constituent, interest group, public official or the governor.   

The lawmaker may ask other legislators to join as co-sponsors.

Bill drafted
At the lawmaker's direction, an office of legislative services provides research and drafting assistance, and prepares the bill in proper technical form.

Bill introduced
The sponsoring lawmaker gives the bill to the clerk's office, and the bill's title is read aloud. This is known as the first reading.  

The bill is then referred to an appropriate committee.

Committee action
The members of the committee consider the bill and decide what action to take. The committee may amend, hold, table, substitute or make a favorable recommendation on the bill. The committee can also have public hearings on the proposal.

Floor action
The bill's title is read aloud before the entire body. This is called the second reading. The bill is then debated in open session, also called "floor debate."

During floor debate, the measure can be amended or substituted. It is then given a third reading and voted on.

If approved, it heads to the other chamber - either the House of Representatives or the Senate - where the process is repeated.

However, there is one state legislature that has only one chamber - Nebraska.

Conference committee
If the bill is amended while in the second chamber and the chamber of origin disagrees with the change, a conference committee of members from both chambers may be formed to resolve differences.

Enrollment
After being approved in identical form by both chambers, the bill is printed as an enrolled bill, examined and signed by the presiding officer of each chamber.

Governor's action
The bill is then sent to the governor. The governor can sign the bill, veto it, or allow it to become law without his signature.

Call to action: join the OOIDA team

For three decades, OOIDA has been met with the challenge of getting the word out quickly and effectively on important legislative issues affecting professional drivers. With the aid of today's Internet technology, and OOIDA's daily news and info hour on XM Satellite Radio, the Association now has the capability to very quickly relay to truckers information about important issues.

Now, it's up to you to step into action and make an impact with lawmakers on issues they are discussing that affect you.

OOIDA's Call to Action Team is on the pulse of hot-button issues being discussed in Congress and in state legislatures throughout the country. If you are not already among the growing number of truckers plugged in to daily legislative happenings, it is time you got connected.

You do not have to be a member of OOIDA to be on its Call to Action Team. Land Line readers and others in the trucking industry are invited to join.

It's as simple as calling OOIDA's offices and asking to be added to the Call to Action contact list. Team members with e-mail will receive the most current updates on critical legislative issues.

Team members without e-mail: Don't worry. You won't be left out. Time permitting, a mailing will be sent out informing you about important issues.   

After receiving an alert, it is essential you call your elected official(s) - whose contact information will be provided - visit their office(s) for a face-to-face conversation or, when possible, attend a meeting where lawmakers are present for discussion.

You will be contacted only when an extremely important issue arises.

It's up to you to join the team and help make a difference. Contact OOIDA's Angel Burnell at 1-800-444-5791, Ext. 1600, or send e-mail to angel_burnell@ooida.com to sign up. It's quick. It's easy. It's free. It will make a difference.

Register to vote: make your lawmakers listen

While a recent poll of the Association's membership shows that the majority of OOIDA members do take part in elections, the Association is continuing its efforts to get all truckers to make their voices heard.

In this election year, the most effective way to accomplish this task is to register to vote. If you haven't already registered, go ahead now and join the rest of the truckers who cast ballots to effect change.

In most states, you can register to vote in person or via mail. Depending on which state you live in, you can print your registration form off the Internet or pick one up in person from the Department of Motor Vehicles, local board of elections office, post office, library or other location.

Contact your local elections office or secretary of state's office for specifics. Listings for these offices can usually be found in the "government pages" section of your local phone book.

Once registered, be sure to vote.

Admittedly, the lifestyle of the professional trucker can often make voting a difficult exercise, and one for which a bit of early planning is sometimes needed.

To aid voters who aren't able to visit the polling booth on Election Day, many states allow advance voting and mail-in ballots in addition to traditional absentee ballots. A handful of states even offer permanent absentee ballots.

Your local elections office or secretary of state's office can tell you what options are available in your state.

And if all else fails, make time to head to the booth on Election Day.

Q&A: questions you might have Q. How many votes by lawmakers does it take to override a governor’s veto? A. Most states require a two-thirds majority to override the governor; some require a three-fifths or simple majority. Q. What’s a “pocket veto”? A. A pocket veto occurs when the governor fails to take action on a bill within a certain amount of time after the session has ended. However, in some states, if the governor fails to take action on a bill, it automatically becomes law. Q. How can a bill carry over to the next year? A. About half of all states have two-year, or biennial, legislative sessions. In that type of schedule, if a bill hasn’t been signed into law or defeated at the end of the first year, it can be re-submitted for discussion the following year. Q. Why do some states have “companion” bills? A. Some state legislatures require that a House or Senate bill be introduced with a companion in the other chamber. This enables both chambers to discuss legislation simultaneously. These can also be referred to as “duplicate” or “identical” bills.

Directory:

FYI: A number of legislatures have brief sessions. Wyoming's actual session for the year, for example, is less than 30 days. Many state legislatures run longer than one calendar year. Also, many states recess at various times throughout the year or session.

Alabama
Internet: www.legislature.state.al.us
Senate general info: (334) 242-7800
House general info: (334) 242-7600
Senate bill status: (334) 242-7825
Senate bill status (in AL): 1-800-499-3051
House bill status: (334) 242-7627
House bill status (in AL): 1-800-499-3052

Alaska
Internet: www.legis.state.ak.us
Senate general info: (907) 465-3701
House general info: (907) 465-3725
Bill status: (907) 465-4648

Arizona
Internet: www.azleg.state.az.us
General info (in AZ): 1-800-352-8404
Senate general info and bill status: (602) 926-4231 or (602) 926-3559
House general info and bill status: (602) 926-4221 or  (602) 926-3032   

Arkansas
Internet: www.arkleg.state.ar.us/
Senate general info: (501) 682-2902 or (501) 682-6107
House general info: (501) 682-6211 or (501) 682-7771

California
Internet: www.legislature.ca.gov
Senate general info and bill status: (916) 651-4120|
Assembly general info and bill status: (916) 319-2856

Colorado
Internet: www.leg.state.co.us
Senate general info: (303) 866-2316
House general info: (303) 866-2904
Bill status: (303) 866-3055
Senate bill status (in CO): 1-888-473-8136
House bill status (in CO): 1-800-811-7647

Connecticut
Internet: www.cga.ct.gov
General info: (860) 240-0100
Bill status: (860) 240-8888 or (860) 757-6550

Delaware
Internet: www.legis.state.de.us
Senate general info: (302) 744-4286
House general info: (302) 744-4171
Bill status: (302) 744-4114
Bill status (in DE): 1-800-282-8545

Florida
Internet: www.leg.state.fl.us
Senate general info: (850) 487-5270
House general info: (850) 488-1157
Bill status: (850) 488-4371
Bill status (in FL): 1-800-342-1827

Georgia
Internet: www.state.ga.us/legis
Senate general info: (404) 656-0028
House general info: (404) 656-0305
Senate bill status: (404) 656-5040
House bill status: (404) 656-5015

Hawaii
Internet: www.capitol.hawaii.gov
Senate general info: (808) 586-6720
House general info: (808) 586-6400
Bill status: (808) 587-0478

Idaho
Internet: www.legislature.idaho.gov
General info: (208) 332-1000
Bill status: (208) 334-3175
Bill status (in ID): 1-800-626-0471

Illinois
Internet: www.ilga.gov
General info: (217) 782-3944
Bill status (in IL): 1-800-252-6300
Senate bill status: (217) 782-4517
House bill status: (217) 782-5799

Indiana
Internet: www.in.gov/legislative
Senate general info (in IN): 1-800-382-9467
Senate general info: (317) 232-9400
House general info (in IN): 1-800-382-9841
House general info: (317) 232-9600
Bill status: (317) 232-9856

Iowa
Internet: www.legis.state.ia.us
Senate general info: (515) 281-3371
House general info: (515) 281-3221
Bill status: (515) 281-5129

Kansas
Internet: www.kslegislature.org
General info and bill status (in KS): 1-800-432-3924
Senate general info: (785) 296-2456
House general info: (785) 296-7633
Bill status: (785) 296-2149

Kentucky
Internet: www.lrc.state.ky.us
General info and bill status: (502) 564-8100
Bill status (in KY): 1-877-257-5541

Louisiana
Internet: www.legis.state.la.us
Senate general info: (225) 342-2040
House general info: (225) 342-6945
Bill status: (225) 342-2456
Bill status (in LA): 1-800-256-3793

Maine
Internet: janus.state.me.us/legis
Senate general info: (207) 287-1540
House general info: (207) 287- 1400
Bill status: (207) 287-1692
Senate bill status (in ME): 1-800-423-6900
House bill status (in ME): 1-800-423-2900

Maryland
Internet: mlis.state.md.us
General info: (410) 841-3000
General info (in MD for western, Eastern Shore and southern parts only): 1-800-492-7122
Bill status: (410) 946-5400

Massachusetts
Internet: www.mass.gov/legis
Senate general info and bill status: (617) 722-1276
House general info and bill status: (617) 722-2356

Michigan
Internet: www.legislature.mi.gov
Senate general info: (517) 373-2400
House general info: (517) 373-0135
Bill status: (517) 373-0630

Minnesota
Internet: www.leg.state.mn.us
Senate general info and bill status: (651) 296-0504
Senate general info (in MN): 1-888-234-1112
House general info: (651) 296-2146
House general info (in MN): 1-800-657-3550
House bill status: (651) 296-6646

Mississippi
Internet: www.ls.state.ms.us
General info: (601) 359-3770
Bill status: (601) 359-3719

Missouri
Internet: www.moga.state.mo.us
Senate general info: (573) 751-3824
House general info: (573) 751-4043
Bill status: 1-800-877-5982

Montana
Internet: www.leg.mt.gov
General info: (406) 444-6064

Nebraska
Internet: www.unicam.state.ne.us
General info: (402) 471-2271
Bill status: (402) 471-0769
Bill status (in NE): 1-800-742-7456

Nevada
Internet: www.leg.state.nv.us
General info: (800)-978-2878

New Hampshire
Internet: gencourt.state.nh.us/ie/
General info: (603) 271-3321
Bill status: (603) 271-2239

New Jersey
Internet: www.njleg.state.nj.us
General info and bill status: (609) 292-4840
General info and bill status (in NJ): 1-800-792-8630

New Mexico
Internet: www.legis.state.nm.us
Senate general info: (505) 986-4714
House general info: (505) 986-4751
Bill status: (505) 986-4600

New York
Internet: www.assembly.state.ny.us
Senate general info: (518) 455-2800
House general info: (518) 455-4100
Bill status: (518) 455-7545
Bill status (in NY): 1-800-342-9860

North Carolina
Internet: www.ncleg.net
Senate general info: (919) 733-7761
House general info: (919) 733-7760
Bill status: (919) 733-7779 or (919) 733-7778

North Dakota

Ohio
Internet: www.legislature.state.oh.us
Senate general info: (614) 466-4900
House general info: (614) 466-3357
Bill status: (614) 466-8842
Bill status (in OH): 1-800-282-0253

Oklahoma
Internet: www.lsb.state.ok.us
Senate general info and bill status: (405) 524-0126
Senate bill status: (405) 521-5642
House general info and bill status: (405) 521-2711
House general info and bill status (in OK): 1-800-522-8502

Oregon

Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania's General Assembly opened Jan. 3 and ends Nov. 30.
Internet: www.legis.state.pa.us
Senate general info: (717) 787-5920
House general info: (717) 787-2372
Bill status: (717) 787-6732

Rhode Island
Internet: www.rilin.state.ri.us
Senate general info: (401) 222-6655
House general info: (401) 222-2466
Bill status: (401) 222-3580

South Carolina
Internet: www.scstatehouse.net
Senate general info   and bill status: (803) 212-6200
House general info  and bill status: (803) 734-2010

South Dakota
Internet: http://legis.state.sd.us
Senate general info: (605) 773-3821
House general info: (605) 773-3851
Bill status: (605) 773-3251

Tennessee
Internet: www.legislature.state.tn.us
General info: 1-800-449-8366
Senate general info: (615) 741-2368
House general info: (615) 741-3774
Bill status: (615) 741-0927

Texas
Internet: www.capitol.state.tx.us
Reference library: (512) 463-1252

Utah
Internet: www.le.state.ut.us
Senate general info  and bill status: (801) 538-1035
House general info  and bill status: (801) 538-1029

Vermont
Internet: www.leg.state.vt.us
General information: (802) 828-2228
General information (in Vermont): 1-800-322-5616
Senate general information: (802) 828-2241
House general information: (802) 828-2247
Bill status: (802) 828-2231
Bill status (in Vermont): 1-800-642-3280

Virginia
Internet: http://legis.state.va.us
Senate general information and bill status: (804) 698-7410
Senate general information and bill status (in Virginia): 1-888-892-6948
House general information and bill status: (804) 698-1500
House general information and bill status (in Virginia): 1-877-391-3228

Washington
Internet: www.leg.wa.gov
Senate general information: (360) 786-7550
House general information:(360) 786-7750
Bill status: (360) 786-7573
Bill status (in Washington): 1-800-562-6000

West Virginia
Internet: www.legis.state.wv.us
General information:(304) 347-4836
Senate general information:(304) 357-7800
House general information: (304) 340-3200
Senate bill status:(304) 357-7947
House bill status:(304) 340-3209
General information and bill status (In West Virginia):1-877-565-3447

Wisconsin
Internet: www.legis.state.wi.us
Senate general information:(608) 266-2517
Assembly general information:(608) 266-1501
Senate bill status:(608) 266-1803|
Assembly bill status:(608) 266-2406
Bill status (In Wisconsin):1-800-362-9472

Wyoming
Internet: http://legisweb.state.wy.us
General information (in Wyoming): 1-866-996-8683
General information: (307) 777-8683
Senate general information:(307) 777-7711
House general information:(307) 777-7852
Bill status:(307) 777-6185
Bill status (in Wyoming):1-800-342-9570