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Presenters: Baur, Handley, Muller, M. Sullivan

Virginia Handley
Program director, Our Hen House

California Legislative Process

Pending Legislation

Possible Legislation

Coalitions

Peter Muller
President, President of LOHV (League of Humane voters)

1. Basic process of enacting state laws
1. Select a sponsor for your bill in both chambers of your state legislature
1. Issues to consider
2. Examples
2. Lobby the committee chairs of the committees that will consider the bill
1. Issues to consider
2. Examples
3. Lobby the leadership of both chambers to let you bill get to the floor for a vote
1. Issues to consider
2. Examples
4. Lobby the governor’s to sign your bill
1. Issues to consider
2. Examples
2. Major difference among state legislatures – one description doesn’t fit all

Mariann Sullivan
Program director, Our Hen House

What Makes an Effective Law
            1. What To Look for in Proposed Legislation
                        A. Enforcement Mechanism
                        B. Adequate Coverage
                        C. Specificity
                        D. Loopholes
                        E. Constitutionality
            2. Examples
                        A. Cruelty Laws
                        B. New York’s Canned Hunt Law
                        C. California Battery Cages
                        D. United States v Stevens

Click here for a printable version of Erika's outline and handout.