State Legislative Session Timeframes for 2011
Advocating at the State Level (March 2011)
Information adapted from NAFSA’s Advocacy Handbook:
Issues in the forefront on a national level may also impact at the state level. Know that many of the same principals of federal-level advocacy can be applied at the state level:
Identify and Learn More About Your State Legislators
Access your state’s Web site (usually the URL issimply ‘thestate name dot gov’) and click on “Government” or “Legislature” to identify and learn more about your state representative/delegate and state senator. Research their background and interests:Did any study abroad? What is theirposition on issues related to international educationsuch as immigration reform, global engagement, and economic competitiveness? The National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) has a useful directory of state legislatures (see link below) to assistin locating information about your state legislature.
Know Your State Legislator’s Role
Much like with your federal representative and two senators, it is important to find out what key committees your state representative and senator sit on. Identify if either sits on major committees that address international education-related issues, such as the higher education, judiciary, workforce development, or appropriations committees. (Note that committee names will vary by state.) It also is helpful to learn who in the state legislature serves as chair of any/all relevant committees; he/she also should also be approached.
Get to KnowYour Institution’sState Relations Officer
Like a federal relations officer, a state relations officer is someone who represents the institution’s interests before the state legislature. If there are state-level issues impacting international education and exchange, it is helpful to cultivate a good working relationship with your institution’s state relations officer.
Engage Your State Legislator
Many colleges and universities do not allow employees to speak on behalf of the institution; however, know that you can communicate with your state legislator as a private citizen and constituent. Like your federal representatives, your state representatives want to hear from constituents. Reach out to your representative to help educate them on these issues, or when an issue of concern arises. Each legislator has a website with contact information.
Online Resources:
- National Conference of State Legislatures – State Legislative Websites Directory:
- Project Vote Smart – State Information:
- NAFSA’s Grassroots Leadership Program – Deadline to apply fast approaching:
- NAFSA’s State Level Initiatives Clearinghouse:
Alabama / March 1 – June 13
Alaska / January 18 – April 17
Arizona / January 10 – April 21
Arkansas / January 10 – April 1
California / January 3 – September 9
Colorado / January 12 – May 12
Connecticut / January 5 – June 8
Delaware / January 11 – June 30
District of Columbia / January 4 – December 31
Florida / March 8 – May 6
Georgia / January 10 – April 1
Hawaii / January 19 – May 1
Idaho / January 10– March 25
Illinois / January 12 – May 31
Indiana / January 5 – April 29
Iowa / January 10 – April 30
Kansas / January 10 – April 30
Kentucky / January 4 – March 22
Louisiana / April 25 – June 23
Maine / December 1, 2010 – June 1
Maryland / January 12 – April 11
Massachusetts / January 5 – January 2, 2012
Michigan / January 12 – December 1
Missouri / January 5 – May 30
Mississippi / January 4 – April 2
Montana / January 3 – April 22
Nebraska / January 5 – June 8
Nevada / February 7 – June 6
New Hampshire / January 5 – June 1
New Jersey / January 12, 2010– January 12, 2012
New Mexico / January 18 – March 19
New York / January 5 – June 1
North Carolina / January 26 – June 1
North Dakota / January 4 – April 27
Ohio / January 3 – December 31, 2012
Oklahoma / February 7 – May 27
Oregon / January 10 – June 1
Pennsylvania / January 4 – November 30
Rhode Island / January 4 – June 30
South Carolina / January 11 – June 2
South Dakota / January 11 – March 28
Tennessee / January 11 – May 31
Texas / January 11 – May 30
Utah / January 24 – March 10
Vermont / January 5 – April 30
Virginia / January 12 – April 6
Washington / January 10 – April 24
West Virginia / January 12 – March 12
Wisconsin / January 3 – December 1, 2012
Wyoming / January 11 – March 3
*Adjournment date subject to change. Monitor your state legislature’s website.