SEAC Bill Positions
Possible Bill Positions for Consideration
Approved: SEAC Board of DIrectors, May 18, 2007
Possible Bill Positions for Consideration
The SEAC Board may adopt a position on each bill considered for action. The following chart describes the bill positions. The Board may choose to change a position on a bill at any subsequent meeting.
Sponsor: Legislative concepts are adopted by the Board and staff is directed to find an author for the bill and to aid the author’s staff by providing background information and seeking support for the bill.
Support: The Board votes to support a bill and directs staff to write letters of support to Legislative Committee members and to testify in support of the bill at Legislative Committee hearings. The Board’s support position will be recorded in the Legislative Committee’s bill analysis. If the bill is successful in the Legislature, staff writes letters of support to the Governor.
Support if Amended: The Board expresses support for the overall concept of a bill, but objects to one or more sections. The Board directs staff to contact the author with suggested amendments. If the bill is amended to reflect the Board’s recommendations, the Board’s position automatically becomes “Support.”
Seek Amendments: The Board expresses concern over one or more sections of the bill and directs staff to contact the author with suggested amendments. If the bill is amended to reflect the Board’s recommendations, staff will inform the Board at a subsequent meeting and ask if the Board would like to adopt a new position.
Watch: The Board expresses interest in the content of the bill but directs staff to “watch” the bill for future amendments or for further movement through the Legislative process. Early in the Legislative session, the Board may wish to adopt a “watch” position on bills that are not yet fully formed.
Oppose Unless Amended: The Board objects strenuously to one or more sections of the bill and directs staff to contact the author with suggested amendments. If the bill is not amended to reflect the Board’s recommendations, the Board may vote to adopt an “Oppose” position at a subsequent meeting. If the bill is amended to reflect the Board’s recommendations, staff will inform the Board at a subsequent meeting and ask if the Board would like to adopt a new position.
Oppose: The Board expresses opposition to the overall concept of a bill and directs staff to write letters of opposition to Legislative Committee members and to testify in opposition to the bill at Legislative Committee hearings. The Board’s “oppose” position will be recorded in the Legislative Committee bill analysis. If the bill is successful in the Legislature, staff writes letters of opposition to the Governor.
No Position: The Board may choose to delay taking a position on a bill and may direct staff to bring the bill forward at a subsequent meeting. The Board may also choose to direct staff not to bring the bill forward for further consideration.
