The League's policy development process

Members drive the League's policy development process. Municipal officials study the issues, municipal officials recommend the League's legislative direction, and the membership adopts an advocacy agenda.

The League has four means of expressing its policies.

Core principles are the broad, bedrock concepts for which the League and its membership stand.

The advocacy agenda identifies the issues that the membership has determined are of the highest priority for a particular two-year legislative cycle. The League focuses its time and resources on actively seeking the items in the advocacy agenda and on protecting the membership from legislation that violates the core principles.

Endorsements are generally at a member city's request and are statement of approval of proposals that are not included in the advocacy agenda. League staff will assist with the legislation as time and resources allow, but the member city must take the lead on obtaining a sponsor and getting a bill introduced.

Position statements are statements of the League's stance on legislation or regulations that have been introduced but are not clearly covered by the core principles and are not part of the advocacy agenda. Position statements are most similar to the legislative goals adopted under the old policy process and will only be applicable during the two ear legislative cycle.

Two legislative action committees -- the Planning and Services Legislative Action Committee and the Finance and Administration Legislative Action Committee -- study and make recommendations concerning core principles, the advocacy agenda and League positions. About 45 elected and appointed officials serve on each committee. A technical advisory committee, comprised of municipal staff members with expertise in policy areas of the committee, advises each legislative action committee.

Ideas, issues and subjects for study come from municipal officials, member cities and towns, or are based on questions and inquiries from officials. State agencies and divisions propose new policies, regulations or legislation, prompting review of League policy. Also, an issue or policy may be referred to a legislative action committee by the NCLM Board of Directors. The committee studies issues or concerns and make recommendations to the board. When appropriate, the technical advisory committee provides comments. The committee may recommend an addition or change to the core principles or advocacy agenda or, based on legislative action, it may recommend a position statement, endorsement or no position. Typically, committees meet three or four times during the year.

These recommendations then go to the NCLM Board of Directors. The membership adopts the agenda and amends the principles at the annual business meeting held during the annual conference. At other times, the Board of Directors may adopt position statements, endorsements and changes to the advocacy agenda and core principles.

For a list of issue areas and committee members, go to Legislative Action Committees.