WS 10-27-2009 - Laserfiche WebLink

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LoCKRIDGE GRINDAL NAUEN P. L. L. P. Attorneys at Law www.locklaw.com TO: New Brighton City Council MINNEAPOLIS Suite 2200 100 Washington Avenue South Minneapolis, MN 55401-2179 T 612.339.6900 F 612-339-0981 WASHINGTON, D.C:. Suite 210 415 Second Street, N.E. Washington, D.C. 20002-4900 T 202.544.9840 F 202-544-9850 FEDERAL RELATIONS GROUP FROM: LOCKRIDGE GRINDAL NAUEN P.L.L.P. Federal Relations Group Dennis McGrann Office: (202) 544-9844 Cell: (202) 669-4591 DATE: October 20, 2009 Andy Burmeister Office: (202) 544-9844 Cell: (202) 713-0895 RE: Federal Representation Update, Action Items, and Recommendations With Congress wrapping up the fiscal year 2010 appropriations process and continuing their work on transportation, health care, energy and other pending legislative items, we wanted to take this opportunity to provide additional information about the legislative process and update you on the current status of legislative items of interest to the City of New Brighton. In addition, this memorandum seeks to summarize past actions and provide future action steps and recommendations which seek to further raise the City's profile in the eyes of key Members of Congress as they begin the fiscal year 2011 appropriations cycle. General Information: How a Bill Becomes a Law 1. Legislation is Introduced - Any member can introduce a piece of legislation 2. Committee Action - The bill is referred to the appropriate committee by the Speaker of the House or the presiding officer in the Senate. • Comments about the bill's merit are requested by government agencies. • Bill can be assigned to subcommittee by Chairman. • Hearings may be held. • Subcommittees report their findings to the full committee. • Finally there is a vote by the full committee - the bill is "ordered to be reported." • A committee will hold a "mark-up" session during which it will make revisions and additions. if substantial amendments are made, the committee can order the introduction of a "clean bill" which will include the proposed amendments. This new bill will have a new number and will be sent to the floor while the old bill is discarded. The chamber must approve, change or reject all committee amendments before conducting a final passage vote. • After the bill is reported, the committee staff prepares a written report explaining why they favor the bill and why they wish to see their amendments, if any, adopted. Committee members who oppose a bill sometimes write a dissenting opinion in the report. The report is sent back to the whole chamber and is placed on the calendar.