1

CongressandtheLegislativeProcess:ASimulationinHowaBillBecomesaLaw

OverviewStudentsparticipateinactivitiesinwhichtheylearnaboutredistricting,typesoflegislativecommittees,typesoflegislation,andtheprocessbywhichabillbecomesalawinCongress.StudentswillapplytheirknowledgebyparticipatinginalegislativesimulationinwhichtheHouseJudiciaryCommitteedetermineswhethertoreportaproposedbillregardingpunishmentfordrunkdrivingasfavorableonthefloor.Grade10NCEssentialStandardsforAmericanHistory:TheFoundingPrinciples,Civics&Economics• FP.C&G.2.1-Analyzethestructuresofnational,stateandlocalgovernmentsintermsofwaystheyare

organizedtomaintainorder,security,welfareofthepublicandtheprotectionofcitizens(e.g.,federalism,thethreebranches,courtsystem,jurisdictions,judicialprocess,agencies,etc.)

• FP.C&G.2.2-SummarizethefunctionsofNorthCarolinastateandlocalgovernmentswithinthefederalsystemofgovernment(e.g.,localcharters,maintainamilitia,passordinancesandlaws,collecttaxes,superviseelections,maintainhighways,typesoflocalgovernments,etc.).

• FP.C&G.2.6-Evaluatetheauthorityfederal,stateandlocalgovernmentshaveoverindividuals’rightsandprivileges(e.g.,BillofRights,DelegatedPowers,ReservedPowers,ConcurrentPowers,Pardons,Writofhabeascorpus,JudicialProcess,states’rights,PatriotAct,etc.)

• FP.C&G.2.7-Analyzecontemporaryissuesandgovernmentalresponsesatthelocal,state,andnationallevelsintermsofhowtheypromotethepublicinterestand/orgeneralwelfare(e.g.,taxes,immigration,naturalization,civilrights,economicdevelopment,annexation,redistricting,zoning,nationalsecurity,healthcare,etc.)

• FP.C&G.3.1-Analyzehowtheruleoflawestablisheslimitsonboththegovernedandthosewhogovernwhileholdingtruetotheidealofequalprotectionunderthelaw(e.g.,theFourteenthAmendments,AmericanswithDisabilitiesAct,equalopportunitylegislation.)

• FP.C&G.3.2-Comparelawmakingprocessesoffederal,stateandlocalgovernments(e.g.,committeesystem,legislativeprocess,bills,laws,veto,filibuster,cloture,proposition,etc.)

• FP.C&G.3.3-Analyzelawsandpoliciesintermsoftheirintendedpurposes,whohasauthoritytocreatethemandhowtheyareenforced(e.g.,laws,policies,publicpolicy,regulatory,symbolic,procedural,etc.)

• FP.C&G.3.4-Explainhowindividualrightsareprotectedbyvarietiesoflaw(e.g.,BillofRights,SupremeCourtDecisions,constitutionallaw,criminallaw,civillaw,Tort,Administrativelaw,StatutorylawandInternationallaw,etc.

EssentialQuestions• WhatisthebasicstructureoftheUSCongress?• WhatisthepurposeandprocessforredistrictingandreapportioningseatsintheHouseof

Representatives?• Whatarethebasicfunctionsofcongressionalcommittees,andhowdotheyhelpmakeCongressmore

efficient?• WhatarethebasictypesoflegislationthatcomeoutofCongress,andwhenaretheyused?• HowdoesabillbecomealawinCongress?• Whataretheresponsibilitiesanddutiesoflegislators?• Howcanlegislatorsimpactchangeatthefederallevel?• Howdifficultisconsensusbuildingwhendifferentpartieshaveconflictingbeliefsanddiverseneeds?

2

• Whatistheprocessforcreatingnewfederallaws?• Whatroledocitizens,specialinterestgroups,andlobbyistsplayinfederallegislation?• Whyarethedecisionsmadebylegislatorsrelevanttoeachofus?Materials• GerrymanderingPoliticalCartoon,attached• RedistrictingActivity,handoutattached• ExamplesofRedistricting,attached• TypesofCommitteesandLegislation,handoutandkeyattached• ParticipatinginaJudiciaryCommitteeMeeting,summaryofparticipantsandrolesattached• ProposedIgnitionInterlockLegislation,attached• Artsupplies(whiteartpaper,chartpaper,orposterboardandmarkers)Duration2classperiodsProcedureDayOne

Congress(BasicStructuralInformationandRedistricting)1. Asawarm-up,askstudentstobrainstormeverythingtheyalreadyknowregardingCongress.Asthey

reporttheirthoughtstoclass,ensurethatyoufacilitateconversationofimportantpointssuchas:• U.S.Congress:MainlegislativebodyfortheUnitedStates• Bicameral:Dividedintotwohouses;HouseofRepresentativesandSenate• HouseofRepresentatives:435membersdirectlyelectedtorepresentcongressionaldistricts;terms

lasttwoyears;DebateintheHousetendstobeformallycontrolledandpartisan• Senate:100senatorsdirectlyelectedbystatewideelection,2foreverystateregardlessofsize;terms

lastsixyears;BeforepassageofAmendmentXVIIin1913,senatorswereappointedbystatelegislatures;Senatedebatetendstobelesspartisanandlessformalized;Senatorstendtobemuchmorecollegialwithsenatorsontheothersideoftheaisle;competitionisgenerallyregionalinnature.

2. Again,probestudentknowledgebyaskingthemwhattheycantellyouaboutredistricting.Asyoudiscuss,

ensurestudentsunderstand:• Congressionaldistrictsarereapportioned,ordividedupamongstthestates,everytenyearsdueto

theCensus,andtheredistrictingisbasedonpopulationchangesthatoccurredoverthepastdecade.• Everystatemusthaveatleastonedistrict.• Oncethenumberofdistrictsisset,theindividualstate’slegislatureischargedwithcreatingamapof

thedistricts(ifthestatehasmorethanonedistrict).Alldistrictsmusthavevirtuallyidenticalpopulationsizes.

• Instateswithahistoryofvoterdisenfranchisement(mainlyintheSouth),districtmapsmustbesubmittedtotheUSDepartmentofJusticeforapprovalaccordingtotheVotingRightsActof1965.

• Statelegislatorsarenotprohibitedfromgerrymandering,ordrawingthemapwithpoliticalgoalsinmind,exceptwherethegerrymanderingwouldconflictwiththeVotingRightsActof1965.Thiscanbedoneforpartisanpurposesorforincumbentprotectionpurposes.

3. Projecttheattachedpoliticalcartoonillustratinggerrymanderingandfacilitatediscussionbyasking:

• Whatdoyousee?(Studentsshouldpointoutdetailsoftheimage,symbols,text,etc.)• Whatkeyactivitydoesthisillustrationdepict?Whatevidencemakesyouthinkthis?• Whatpoliticalopinionwouldtheartistmostlikelyholdregardinggerrymandering?

4. Throughoutthediscussionmakesurestudentsunderstandthatthis1812politicalcartoonillustratesthe

electoraldistrictsdrawnbytheMassachusettslegislaturetofavortheincumbentDemocratic-Republican

3

partycandidatesofGovernorElbridgeGerryovertheFederalists,fromwhichthetermgerrymanderisderived.ThecartoondepictsthebizarreshapeofadistrictinEssexCounty,Massachusettsasadragon.

5. Distributetheredistrictingexerciseforcompletioninpartnersorasindividuals.Givethesedirectionsto

students:• ThemapaboverepresentsthestateofElbonia.• TherearetwopoliticalpartiesinElbonia,theStarsandtheCircles.• Theyaredistributedinthestateasshowninthemap.• Elboniawillberepresentedbythreecongressionaldistricts.• Yourjobistodrawthosethreedistricts.• DrawthethreedistrictstocreateasmanydistrictsaspossiblethathaveamajorityStarswithin.The

districtsmustallhavethesamepopulationsizeandmustbecontiguous,meaningeachsquaremusttouchatleastoneoftheothersquaresintheproposeddistrict.

6. Oncestudentsfinish,discusstheredistrictingexerciseasaclass.Projecttheattachedexampleof

redistrictingandallowstudentstonotewhattheyseeintheredrawing.Pointouthowgerrymanderingcreatedaguaranteed3-to-1advantageinrepresentationforthebluevotersbasedonthewaythebalancedelectoraldistrictswereredrawn.Here,14redvotersarepackedintotheyellowdistrictandtheremaining18arecrackedacrossthe3bluedistricts.

LegislativeCommittees

7. Askstudentswhattheyknowaboutlegislativecommitteesandencouragethemtolistanycommitteeexamplestheycanthinkof.Then,providestudentswithinformationtofillingapsinwhattheydonotknow:• Eachhouseisdividedintoanumberofcommitteestomoreeasilyhandlelegislativeworkandtoallow

forspecialization.Committeeshavejurisdictionoverspecifictopicareas;thisallowsforspecializationonafewtopicareasbymembers.Thisismorecommon/mucheasierintheHouseofRepresentatives,owingtoitslargersize.

• Committeesarefurtherdividedintosubcommitteesthathandleevensmallersub-issuesinacommittee’sjurisdiction.

• Committeeassignmentsaremadebythemajorityandminorityfloorleaders,orheadsofparties.Ingeneral,committeesareroughlyequalinsize,andtheirmembershipsaredividedamongthepartiesbasedroughlyontheproportionalsizeofthepartieswithanadvantagegiventothemajorityparty;forexample,sayacommitteehas30members,andtheGOPholds55%ofthetotalseatsinthebody.Therewillprobablybe18-20republicansonthecommittee,whichensuresthemajorityhascontroloverthecommittee.

8. Aspartnersorindividually,askstudentstocompletetheTypesofCommitteeshandout,usingtheirtext

bookand/ortheInternet.Givestudentstenminutestofinishandthengoovertheinformationasalargegroup.• StandingCommittees:Themaintypeofcommittee.Thesecommitteesarepermanentandare

designedtoaddresslong-termissues.Theyalsohavetheabilitytogeneratenewlegislation.• JointCommittees:ThesecommitteesoverseeareasofinteresttobothhousesofCongressanddonot

havetheabilitytogeneratenewlegislation.Theyareuniqueinthattheyarecomposedofmembersfrombothhouses.

• ConferenceCommittees:Aspecialtypeofjointcommitteedesignedtoreconciledifferencesinbills.• SpecialCommitteesandSelectCommittees:Thesecommitteeshavesimilarfunctionstostanding

committeesinthattheyhavelegislativeauthority;however,theyexistonlyonanadhocbasisandceasetoexistoncetheycompletetheirduties.

4

TypesofLegislation9. Againaspartnersorindividually,askstudentstocompletetheTypesofLegislationhandout,givingthem

tenminutesandtheappropriateresources(textbook,Internet,etc.)Aftertenminutes,goovertheinformationasalargegroup.(Thisreviewcanbedoneconcurrentlywiththepreviousexercise,andeithercanbegivenashomeworkifnecessary.)• Bill:Apieceoflegislationthatwillbecomelaw• SimpleResolution:Apieceoflegislationthatexpressestheopinionofthebodyonaparticularmatter.

Thistypeoflegislationdoesnotcarrythefullforceoflaw;itonlyhastopassthroughonehouseandisnot

signedbythepresident.

• ConcurrentResolution:Apieceoflegislationthatexpressestheopinionofbothhouses.ItmustbepassedbybothhousesofCongresstotakeeffect.Asthistypeoflegislationwillnotbecomelaw,itdoesnothavetobesignedbythepresident.Themostcommonuseoftheconcurrentresolutionisthebudgetresolution,whichistheguidelineforhowthegovernmentwillspenditsmoneyinthecomingyear.

• JointResolutions:Similartobillsbutoccurmuchlessoften.TheprimaryreasonfortheiruseistoproposeamendmentstotheConstitution.

HowaBillBecomesaLawinCongress

10. Next,providestudentswithanoverviewofhowabillbecomesalawinCongress.Ifavailable,playaclipofSchoolHouseRock’s“HowaBillBecomesaLaw”(aneatversionstudentshaveperhapsnotheardisthemostrecentcompilationbymodernrockbands,called“SchoolHouseRockRocks!,”availableviaaninternetsearch).Asyouplayabitofthesong,askstudentswhattheyknowabouthowabillbecomesalawinCongress.Referstudentstoagraphicorganizerintheirtextbookorontheinternetandreview:• ABillmustbewrittenandcanbewrittenbyanyone.ABillmustbeintroducedbyamemberof

Congressandcanbeintroducedineitherchamber,exceptinthecaseofrevenuerelatedbills,whichmustbeintroducedintheHouse.

• Referredtoacommittee.Canbereferredtomorethanone.• Onceincommittee,maybefurtherreferredtoasubcommittee,andthesubcommitteehearsthebill

andcanmakechangestoit.Itthenreportsbillstothefullcommittee.Ifreportedunfavorablyorwithoutprejudice,thecommitteetakesnofurtheraction.

• Ifreportedfavorablybytherelevantsubcommittee,afullcommitteehearsbillandcanmakefurtherchangestoit.ItthenreportsthebilltothefullHouseofRepresentatives.Ifreportedunfavorablyorwithoutprejudice,Congresstakesnofurtheraction.

• Ifreportedfavorablybycommittee,thebillisreportedtotheRulesCommittee.TheRulesCommitteeisallowedtosetthelimitsfordebateonthebill;i.e.thenumberandtypesofamendmentsthatcanbemadeontheflooraswellasthetimelimitsondebate.Oncethoselimitsareset,thebillissenttothefloor.

• Oncesenttothefloor,allmembersofCongresscandebateandamendthebill,subjecttorulessetdownbytheRulesCommittee.Itisthenvotedonbythehouse.Ifitfails,nootheractionistaken;ifitpasses,itissenttotheSenate.

• TheSenate’sprocessisvirtuallythesameasabove,exceptforRulesCommitteestep.Senatorsareallowedunlimiteddebateonthefloor,whichmakestheRulesCommitteeunnecessary.

• OnceabillpassestheSenate,thebillgoestoaConferenceCommittee.ThiscommitteeisformedofbothCongressmenandSenatorstoreconciledifferencesbetweentheversions.Oncethetwoversionsarereconciled,theyaresentbacktothefloorsofthetwochambers,wheretheyarevotedonagain.Iftheypassbothchambers,theyarethensenttothepresident.

• Thepresidentthenhasthreeoptions:signthebill,vetothebillordonothing.§ Signingthebillcausesthebilltoimmediatelybecomelaw.

5

§ Vetoingthebillcausesthebilltobesentbacktothetwochambers,whereitisvotedonagain.Ifthebillpassesbyatwo-thirdsmajorityinbothhouses,thevetoisoverriddenandthelawisenactedanyway.Otherwise,thebilliskilled.

§ Ifthepresidentdoesnothing,thiscanleadtotwoseparateconsequences,dependingonwhathappensinthenexttendays.Oncetendaysexpire,CongresscanpickthebillupandpassitintolawwithoutthePresident'ssignature;however,Congressmustbeinsessiontotakethisaction.IfCongressisnotinsession,thebillistreatedasifitwasvetoed;thisiscalledapocketveto.

Ø Optionalkinestheticreview:Summarize/condensetheabovestepsonto10-12largepiecesofpaper.

Handoutapieceofpaperto10-12studentsandtellthemtocometothefrontoftheclass.Instructthemtosilentlygetthemselvesintheappropriateorderofhowabillbecomesalawandtoholdtheirsheetofpaperupfortheaudiencetosee.Theremainderoftheclassshouldwatchtheprocessandcommentonwhetherornottheorderiscorrectoncethestudentsupfrontthinktheyareinthecorrectline-up.Allowaudiencememberstomovethestudentsupfrontaroundtowhattheythinkthecorrectorderis.Oncethestudentsareinthecorrectorder,justthemasavisualforreviewingtheaboveprocess.

GeneralAssemblyJudiciaryCommitteeMeetingPreparation

11. Askstudentstoconsiderwheretheideasforlawscomefrom.Explainthatoftenlobbyistscontactlawmakersorothergovernmentofficialsinanattempttoinfluencepolicymaking.Lobbyistssupplyusefulinformationtolawmakers,suggestsolutionstoproblemsandissues,preparedraftsofbillsfromlawmakerstoconsider,andtestifyatlegislativehearings.Lobbyistsareatworkonlocal,state,andnationallevels.

Professionallobbyists,individualsandgroupsofcitizenssuchasthemselvestraveltoWashingtonDCtolobbytheirlegislatorsforparticularpolicychangesorlaws.Discusshowifenoughpeopleplacepressureontheirlegislators,legislatorswillthenbecompelledtointroduce/sponsorabillrepresentingconstituentviews.ExplaintotheclassthatsuchisthecasewithMother’sAgainstDrunkDriving.Project/explainthefollowingtosetupthesimulation:• MothersAgainstDrunkDriving(MADD)isagrassrootsorganizationwithamissiontostopdrunk

drivingandtosupportthevictimsofthisviolentcrime.MADDalsoworkstopreventunderagedrinking.MADDhasstartedanewcampaignacrosstheUnitedStatestoencourageCongresstofavorabillrequiringfirsttimedrunkdrivingoffenderstoinstalladevicethattestsdriversandshutsdownthecarifitdetectsalcoholonthedriver’sbreath.Thesedevicesareknownasignitioninterlocks.MADDorganizedhundredsofcitizensandprofessionallobbyiststotraveltotheCapitolandadvocatefortheintroductionofsuchabillfromtheirlegislators.Theyalsoinitiatedalettercampaigninwhichthousandsofcitizenswroteinsupportofanignitioninterlock.Basedonsuchoverwhelmingdemand,HousememberMariaGonzalezintroducedabilltoCongresscallingfortheinstallationofignitioninterlocksinthevehiclesoffirsttimedrunkdrivingoffenders.Thebillreceivedanumberandpasseditsfirstreading.TheSpeakeroftheHouseofRepresentativeshasnowassignedthebilltotheHouseJudiciaryCommitteeforcarefulstudy,afterwhichtheHouseJudiciaryCommitteemustmakearecommendationregardingthebill.

Today,theHouseJudiciaryCommitteeisholdingahearingatwhichlobbyistscanexpresstheiropinionsregardingthisbillinhopestoswaythecommittee’sopinion.Today,youallwillbeassumingtherolesofacommitteemember,oralobbyistforoneofthefollowingspecialinterestgroupswhowillbetestifyingatthehearing,eitherfororagainsttheproposedlegislation:o MothersAgainstDrunkDrivingo AmericanCivilLibertiesUniono LibertarianPartyofNorthCarolinao TheAllianceofAutomobileManufacturerso AssociationofPolice

6

12. Reviewclassexpectationsforgroupworkanddividestudentsintosixgroups,withonegroupbeing

legislatorsandtheotherfivegroupsrepresentingthespecialinterestgroups.Givethefollowinginstructions:• Committeemembers/legislators:(providethesestudentswithInstructionsforMembersoftheHouse

JudiciaryCommittee,SummaryofSpecialInterestGroups,andProposedIgnitionInterlockLegislation.AlsoassignonestudentinthisgrouptobetheCommitteeChairandgivehim/herInstructionsfortheCommitteeChair*.)YouwillspendthefollowingworktimereviewingthebillthatwasintroducedbyHousememberGonzalez.UndertheleadershipofyourChair,youshoulddiscussyourinitialopinionsofthebill.Rememberasyoudiscussthebillthatamendmentstothebillcanbemadebyyou,aslegislators,atanypointbycrossingthroughthetextandrewritingitatwill.YoushouldalsoreviewtheSummaryofSpecialInterestGroups,anddeterminehowtobestaddresstheseopposingviews,consideringthe“commongood”ofourcountry.Asagroup,youshouldformatleasttwofollow-upquestionsforeachspecialinterestgroupinpreparationfortheirtestimonies.Ø Teachernote:WhiletheteachercanserveastheChairoftheJudiciaryCommittee,itis

recommendedthattheteacherassignoneofthestudentsinthelegislatorgrouptoserveinthisrolesothatthesimulationcanbestudentlead.Theteachershouldassistthisstudentinfacilitatingthesimulationbycallingthemeetingtoorder,callingforeachgroup’stestimony,facilitatingthequestionsessionofeachgroup,facilitatingdebateattheend,thenleadingthefinaldiscussionanddecisionmakingprocessofthelegislators.

• SpecialInterestGroups:(providethesestudentsInstructionsfor_____,aswellasSummaryofSpecial

InterestGroups.)Eachofyou,aslobbyistsforspecialinterestgroups,willworkoncreatinga3-5minutepresentationtopresenttothepaneloflegislativecommitteemembers.YourgoalistoconvincemembersoftheHouseJudiciaryCommitteetoeithersupportornotsupportabillforinstallingignitioninterlocksintothecarsoffirsttimedrunkdrivingoffenders.Youshouldformargumentsbasedonthefactsgivenabouttheviewsofyourspecialinterestgroup,aswellasmakeinferencesthatmighthelpyourposition.Organizethesethoughtsintoapresentationthatwillconvincethiscommitteetoseethingsyourway.Inadditiontoconsideringyourgroup’sviews,youshouldthinkofwaystoargueagainstyouropponent’sviews.Ø Teachernote:TeachersmaychoosetoofferInternetaccesstostudentssothattheymaydo

additionalresearchwhenpreparingtheirpresentation.13. Letstudentsknowwhattheformatofthecommitteemeetingwillbe:Chaircallsmeetingtoorderandgivesoverview 1-2minutesPresentationfromMADD 3-5minutesFollow-upquestionsfromlegislators 2minutesPresentationfromtheLibertarianParty 3-5minutesFollow-upquestionsfromlegislators 2minutesPresentationfromAssociationofPolice 3-5minutesFollow-upquestionsfromlegislators 2minutesPresentationfromACLU 3-5minutesFollow-upquestionsfromlegislators 2minutesPresentationfromAllianceofAutomobileManufacturers

3-4minutes

Follow-upquestionsfromlegislators 2minutesChairmancancallforanyfinalcommentsorquestionsfrompresentinggroupsandlegislators(iftimepermits)

5minutes

Chairmanleadsopendeliberationofcommittee 10minutes

7

14. Tellthegroupstheywillhavetheremainderofclasstoprepareforthecommitteemeeting,whichshouldtakeplacethenexttimeclassmeets.(Dependingontiming,studentsmayneedadditionalclasstimethefollowingdaytoprepare.)

15. Circulatearoundtheroomasgroupswork,ensuringtheyareontherighttrack.Letstudentsknowwhethertheywillhaveadditionalpreparationtimethenexttimeclassmeets,andalsoencouragethemtoworkontheirpresentationsforhomework.Youmayalsowishtoinstructstudentstocome“dressed”incharactertomorrow,astheywoulddressiftheywereactuallyparticipatinginacommitteemeeting.

Day2

JudiciaryCommitteeMeetingSimulation16. Asstudentsenter,instructthemtoreturntotheirgroups.Useyourdiscretionregardingwhetheryour

studentsneedmorepreparationtime.Onceitistimeforthehearingtobegin,reviewbehaviorexpectationsforbeingarespectfulparticipant.Havethelegislatorgrouptakeseatsinthefrontoftheclassroomfacingthelobbyists.IfyouhaveassignedastudenttoserveasChair,askhim/hertocallthemeetingtoorder,givinganoverviewofthebillthatisbeingdiscussed,aswellasremindingstudentsoftheformatforthetestimonies(teachersmaywanttodisplaythisontheboardoronchartpaper).

17. Allowforaround45minutesforthesimulatedcommitteemeeting,followingtheoutlinedprocess.Once

thecommentsessionhasended,theCommitteememberswilldeliberatetheproposedbillinfrontoftheclass,determininghowtheywillpresentittoCongress.

18. Oncethelegislatorshavedeterminedtheirresponsetothebill,havetheclassgivearoundofapplausefor

alloftheirhardwork,anddebriefbydiscussing:• Whatfactorsinfluencelegislatorsinthedecisionstheymake?• Howmightalegislatordecidewhatitbestforthecountryasawhole(the"commongood")?• Whatwouldhappenifcitizensdidnotmaketheiropinionsknowntolegislators?Howmightour

societybeaffected?• Whichofthespecialinterestgroupswouldyousayhadeconomicinterests?Explain.• Whichofthespecialinterestgroupshadpublicinterests,single-issueinterests,orideological

interests?Explain.• HowdidMADD“organizeforinfluence”?• Wouldyouwanttobeafederallegislatorwhomakesthesekindsofdecisions?Whyorwhynot?• Whyisitimportantforcitizenstoparticipateintheelectionprocessoftheirlegislators?• Howistheworkofourrepresentativesrelevanttoeachofus?• BasedonthedecisiontheHouseJudiciaryCommitteejustmade,whatwouldthenextstepinthis

processbe?19. DiscusstheremainderoftheprocessaftertheJudiciaryCommitteereportsbacktothefloor.Also,point

outtostudentsthatwhilethissimulationwasfictional(thereisnoHousememberGonzalez,norhasthisissuemadeitthisfarinthelegislativeprocess)theignitioninterlocklegislationissomethingMADDhaspushedfor.

20. Forhomework,assignstudentsoneofthefollowing(orallowthemtochoosewhichtocomplete):

• Instructstudentstowriteanewspaperarticlereportingontheirlegislativesimulation,asifitactuallyhappened.Instructstudentsthattheymustfirstdefineeachofthefollowingkeyterms.Then,theymustensurethattheyuseatleast8ofthesekeytermsintheirarticle:

Proposition ActBill LawStandingCommittee VetoSenioritySystem LineitemvetoHouseRulesCommittee Pocketveto

8

JointCommittee FilibusterConferenceCommittee Cloture

PublicHearing Rider• AskstudentstocreateapostershowingtheprocessforabillbecomingalawinCongress.Theposter

mustcontain:AgraphicorganizerAppropriatetext/descriptionCreativeartwork

AdditionalActivities• Studentscanresearchwhotheirrepresentativesareandwritealettertohim/herexpressingtheir

individualopinionofMADD’scampaign.• InvitearesourcepersontospeaktostudentsaboutDUIlaws,DUIstatistics,anddangers,etc.(i.e.police

officer,memberofMADD,legislator,etc.)• Viewanexcerptof"Mr.SmithgoestoWashington"sothatstudentscanfurtherexplorehowabillis

createdandpresentedinCongress.Youmaywanttostartthemovieataround21minuetsin,whenMr.SmithissightseeinginDCandstopafteraround40min.afterMr.SmithintroduceshisbilltoSenate).Afterwards,debriefthestepsofhowabillbecomesalawthattheysawinaction.Also,havestudentsbrainstormissuesofcurrentconcerninthecommunityandnationandaskthemwhatlawstheyfeelareneededtoimprovethesituation.

DifferentiationStudentswithspecialneeds• Ensurethatstudentsareplacedinmixedabilitygroups• Studentswhodonotworkwellinsmallgroupsmaybeassigneddutiesthatarelessintense,suchas:

§ “Reporter”:Whilegroupsareworking,thereporter(s)shouldfloatbetweengroupsandtakenotesonthevariousdiscussions.Thestudent(s)couldthendelivera“newscast”totheclassattheendofthelessonbasedonhis/hernotes.

§ “Researcher”:UsetheinternettoresearchfactsonMAAD,NorthCarolinaalcohollaws,NorthCarolinaDUIstatistics,etc.thehe/shecansharewiththeclass.

AIG• RatherthanprovidebackgroundsheetsonthegroupspresentingtotheHouseJudiciaryCommittee,

simplyprovidethenameofthegroup(MADD,ACLU,Libertarians,etc.)andhavestudentsresearchthegroupanddeterminethegroup’sstanceandpositionontheirown.Thus,studentswilldeveloppresentationsfromscratch.

• Actoutthenextstepintheprocessofabillbecominglaw,bysimulatingthedebatethatwouldtakeplaceontheflooroftheGeneralAssemblyregardingthebillonignitioninterlocksandholda“markupsession”bypassingtheproposedbillaroundtheclassroomandallowingstudentstomakecomments.Youmaywishtoorganizetherulesoftheclassdebateclosetoactualprocedure:§ Asstudentsdiscussanddebate,oneofthestudentsmayrequestavoteonthebill.He/sheshould

raisehis/herhandandwhencalledupon,say“Question!”Thenavoteproceeds.Votesshallberecordedbytheraisingofhands,firstfor;thenagainst.

§ Ifsomeonewishestomakeanamendmenttothelegislation,he/sheshouldraisehis/herhandandwhencalledupon,say“Iwouldliketomakeanamendment.”He/sheshouldthenstatetheamendment.Oncethishappens,debatebeginsagain,butitislimitedtotheamendmentspecifically.Whendebateontheamendmentisfinished,votingsolelyontheamendmentproceedsbythesamemannerdescribedabove.

§ Ifdebateislivelyenoughandifenoughtimeexists,debatecanbeextended.Ifthisoccurs,youcaneitherextendtimebyfiat,oroneofthedebaterscanmakeamotiontosuspendtherulesandextenddebatebyaspecifiedamountoftime.

9

GerrymanderingPoliticalCartoon

Source:CartooncreatedbyGilbertStuart;OriginallypublishedintheBostonCentinel,1812.

ExampleofRedistricting

10

RedistrictingExercise

Activity:•ThemapaboverepresentsthestateofElbonia.•TherearetwopoliticalpartiesinElbonia,theStarsandtheCircles.•Theyaredistributedinthestateasshowninthemap.•Elboniawillberepresentedbythreecongressionaldistricts.•Yourjobistodrawthosethreedistricts.•DrawthethreedistrictstocreateasmanydistrictsaspossiblethathaveamajorityStarswithin.Thedistrictsmustallhavethesamepopulationsizeandmustbecontiguous,meaningeachsquaremusttouchatleastoneoftheothersquaresintheproposeddistrict. Answerthefollowingonnotebookpaper:1.Definethefollowingkeyterms: a.Redistricting:

b.Gerrymandering:

c.Packing:

d.Stacking:2.Whichdistrictsetdoyouthinkismorelikelytooccur?Whyorwhynot?3.Dothesedistrictsadequatelyrepresentthepopulation?Whyorwhynot?4.Doesonesetofdistrictsrepresentthepopulationbetterthantheothers?Whyorwhynot?5.Whatotherfactors,besidesnakedpartisanship,mightcomeintoplaywhenmakingdistrictingdecisions?6.Arethereotherwaystocreatedistrictsbesidesthewaysdescribedabove?Howwouldtherepresentationchangeiftherewasonlyonedistrictthatelectedthreerepresentatives?Wouldothersystemsbemorefair?Whyorwhynot?

11

TypesofCommittees

Definition MainUsage

StandingCommittee

JointCommittee

SpecialorSelectCommittee

ConferenceCommittee

TypesofLegislation

Definition MainUsageBill

SimpleResolution

JointResolution

ConcurrentResolution

12

TypesofCommittees–ANSWERKEYCommittee Definition MainUsageStandingCommittees Thesearetheprimarytypeof

committee.Allmemberswillserveonatleastoneofthem.

Mainvehiclesforoversightandlegislationwriting.Addressbroadissueareasthatarelongstandingandlongterminnature.

JointCommittees AtypeofcommitteethataddressesissuesthatfacebothHousesofCongress.Donothavetheabilitytogeneratenewlegislation.Composedofmembersofbothhouses

Oversightoverfourmainareas:Economic,Taxation,LibraryofCongress,andprintingoffederalgovernment.

SpecialorSelectCommittees Adhoccommitteescreatedinonecongressandwillnotbere-createdinthenext.

Createdtodealwithshorttermissues.Generallyprovideoversightduringnationalcrisesorotherunplannedevents.ExceptionsaretheIntelligencecommitteesinbothhouses,whichareselectcommitteesforhistoricalreasons.

ConferenceCommittees Specialtypeofjointcommittee,createdtoreconciledifferencesbetweenHouseandSenateversionsofabill.Comprisedofmembersofbothhouses.

ReconciledifferencesbetweenHouseandSenate.

TypesofLegislation–ANSWERKEYLegislation Definition MainUsage

Bill Typeoflegislationthatproposesanadditiontosubtractionfrom,ormodificationofUSlaw.Identicalversionsofabillmustpassbothhousesofcongressandmustbesignedbythepresidentinorderforthistobecomelaw.

MainvehicleforlawstobecreatedinUS.

SimpleResolution Typeoflegislationthatexpressestheopinionofasinglehouseofcongress.Doesnotneedsignaturebypresidentorpassageinotherhousetogointoeffect.

Usedwhencongresswantstoexpressanopinion,takeastandonsomethingwithoutmakingthatopinionlegallybinding,i.e.tocongratulateanationalchampionortocondemnsomedeplorableact.

JointResolution Aresolutionwhichmustbeapprovedbybothhousesandsenttothepresidenttobesigned.Almostthesameasabill,withoneexceptionwhichprovidesitsprimaryusage.

Thisisthemainlegislativemeansforproposingconstitutionalamendments.Oncethesepassbothhouses,insteadofbeingsignedbythepresidenttheyaresenttothevariousstatelegislaturesforratification.

ConcurrentResolution Typeoflegislationthatexpressesthesentimentofbothhousesandrequirespassagebybothhouses.Doesnotgobeforethepresident,sodoesnothavetheforceoflaw.

Usedprimarilytoexpressthesentimentofbothhousesonmattersthatpertaintobothhouses.Maininstancesincludetheannualbudgetresolutionandtheoccasionalcreationofatemporaryjointcommittee.Budgetusagefarmorecommonandimportant.

13

ParticipatinginaGeneralAssemblyJudiciaryCommitteeMeeting

SummaryofSpecialInterestGroupsMothersAgainstDrunkDrivingMothersAgainstDrunkDriving(MADD)isagrassrootsorganizationwithamissiontostopdrunkdriving.MADDhasstartedanewcampaigntoencourageCongresstopassabillrequiringfirstdrunkdrivingoffenderstoinstalladevicethatteststheamountofalcoholinadriver’sbreathandshutsdownthecarifitdetectsalcohol.Thesedevicesareknownasignitioninterlocks.ManyMADDmembershavelostlovedonesduetodrunk-drivingaccidents,andMADDfeelsthatarequirementsuchasthiswillsavemanylives.AmericanCivilLibertiesUnionTheAmericanCivilLibertiesUnionservestoprotectindividualrightsandlibertiesofAmericancitizens,andbelievesthatwhiletheaccidentscausedbydrunkdrivingareunfortunate,installingignitioninterlocksgoesagainstitsmissiontoprotectindividualrights.TheACLUbelievesthatalawsuchasthiswouldviolateaperson’srighttoequalprotectionunderthelaw,anoffender’srighttodueprocess,andtherighttoprivacy.AllianceofAutomobileManufacturersTheAllianceofAutomobileManufacturersisanadvocacygroupfortheautomobileindustry.WhiletheAllianceofAutomobileacknowledgesthatdrunkdrivingisaseriouscrime,membersfeelthecarindustryhasalreadydoneitspartintermsofsafetydevices,anddoesnotwishanypunishmenttoinvolvechangingtheequipmentorlookofvehiclessincethiscouldimpedemarketingandbusiness.AssociationofPoliceTheAssociationofPoliceiscomprisedofcurrentandformerpoliceofficers,mostofwhomhaveseenthenegativeimpactofdrivingundertheinfluence.Arguingthatthemeasurescurrentlyinplacearenotchangingtheyearlydeathtollof17,000+killedinDUIrelatedincidents,theassociationfirmlysupportsMADD’scampaign.Theassociationthinksthiswillalsohelpalleviatesomeoftheburdenedpolicedepartmentsthatareunderstaffedandoverworked.LibertarianPartyofNorthCarolinaThepreambletotheLibertarianPartyplatformstates,“Weholdthateverypersonhasanaturalrighttolife,liberty,andthepursuitofhappinessandproperty.Weholdthatthepurposeofgovernmentistheprotectionoftherightsandpropertyofpeacefulindividuals.”Thus,Libertariansfeelifthisignitioninterlocklawwereenacted,itwouldbeaviolationoftheseprinciples.Thislawwouldgivethegovernmenttoomuchpoweroverprivatepropertysincethegovernmentwouldbemandatingachangetocitizen’svehicles.

14

ProposedIgnitionInterlockLegislation

ShortTitle:IgnitionInterlocksforFirstTimeDrunkDrivingOffenders.

Sponsors: RepresentativeGonzalez.

Referredto: JudiciaryI.

March13,2017

ABILLTOBEENTITLEDANACTtoprovidethatignitioninterlocksmaybeinstalledinthevehiclesofconvicteddrunk-drivingoffenders.TheHouseofRepresentativesenacts:SECTION1.ThestatewillmandatetheinstallationofanignitioninterlockoneachvehicleownedoroperatedbyamotoristconvictedofDrivingUndertheInfluence.SECTION2.Thecostoftheinstallationoftheignitioninterlocksystemwillbeincurredbytheconvicted,nottoexceed$1,000overthecourseofoneyear.SECTION3.Ignitioninterlockswillberequiredforoneyearfromdateofrestoration.IfthepersonisconvictedofanotherDUIviolation,theperiodwillbeextended.SECTION4.Thisactiseffectivewhenitbecomeslaw.

15

InstructionsforCommitteeChair:Youwillbeinformedwhenitistimetobeginthecitizentestimonysessionofthiscommitteemeeting.Atthestartofthismeeting,youwillwelcometestifyingcitizensandreviewthepurposeofthemeetingbysayingsomethingsuchas:“Thankyouallforbeingheretoday.IunderstandthisisaverypersonalissueforsomeofyouanditisanissuethatweastheJudiciaryCommitteearegoingtopaycloseattentiontoaswedeterminewhetherornottorecommendtheproposedbillregardingignitioninterlocks.Wewillbegintestimoniesnow,hearingfirstfromMADD.Goaheadandstepuptothemicrophone.”Aftereachgroupfinishestheirstatement,youwillsay,“Thankyouforyourcomments.AtthistimeI’dliketoopenthefloorupforquestionsfromcommitteemembers”.Committeemembersandyoucanaskquestionsatthistime.YouwillthencallupthenextgrouplistedontheSummaryofParticipantsandfollowthesameprocedure.Afterallgroupshavepresentedandbeenquestions,endthepubliccommentsectionofthehearingbysaying:“Thankyouallforyourcomments.AtthistimetheCommitteeisgoingtoadjourntodiscussthismatter.Again,wethankyouforyourthoughts.”Youwillthenleadyourfellowcommitteemembersinanopendiscussionaboutyouropinionsregardingignitioninterlocksandwhetherornotyousupportthebillatthismoment.Testifyinggroupscanonlylistentoyouatthispoint.Theycannotcommentorinteractwithcommitteemembers.Ifyougettoapointthatyoufeeleveryoneisinagreement,youcancallforavoteandadjournthemeeting.Youcanalsopostponeadecisiontothenextmeetingifthecommitteefeelsmoreinformation,research,statistics,etc.isneededafterthediscussion.

16

InstructionsforMembersoftheHouseJudiciaryCommittee

AstheHouseJudiciaryCommittee,youandyourfellowlegislatorsareholdingahearingtohelpyoudeterminewhetherornottofavorabillmandatinganewpunishmentforfirsttimedrunkdrivingoffenders.AsamemberoftheHouseofRepresentatives,yourepresenttheinterestsofyourconstituentsinyourhomedistrictandyourjobasanappointedmemberoftheJudiciaryCommitteeistodeterminehowthebillyouareconsideringshouldbereportedtothefloor.Youhavethechoiceofreportingthebillasfavorable,favorableasamended(ifyoumakeanychangestothebill),orunfavorableasabill.Youmayalsoofferacommitteesubstitute,inwhichyourewritetheentirebillasyouseefit.Thefollowinggroupswilltestifybeforeyoutodayinhopestoinfluenceyouropinionregardingthisbill:•MothersAgainstDrunkDriving•AmericanCivilLibertiesUnion•LibertarianPartyofNorthCarolina•AllianceofAutomobileManufacturers•AssociationofPoliceYourjob:1.BeginyourcommitteemeetingbyselectingaChair.TheChairwillberesponsibleforfacilitatingthetestimoniesofvisitinggroupswhenyourmeetingbegins.2.AfterselectingaChair,reviewthebillthatwasintroducedbyHousememberGonzalezasagroup(seetheProposedIgnitionInterlockLegislationprovidedtoyou).Eachofyoushouldexpressyourinitialopinionsofthebill,notinganyamendmentsthatyoumaybeleaningtowards(changesyouwouldliketomake).3.PrepareforthegroupswhowillbetestifyinginfrontofyoutodaybyreviewingtheSummaryofSpecialInterestGroups.Discussthepositionthateachgrouphastakenontheproposedignitioninterlocks,andinferwhattypesofthingstheymightsayintheirtestimonytoyou.Create2-3questionsforeachgroup,whichwillhelpyougainfurtherdetailsontheirpositionorperhapsevenchallengetheirviews.4.Onceitistimeforthecommitteememberstohearthetestimonies,eachgroupwillhaveupto5minutestotestify.Listencarefullytotheirposition,opinion,andrequest.5.Aftereachgroup’spresentation,youmayaskyour2-3follow-upquestions.TheCommitteemayrefertothequestionsthatmemberspreviouslycreatedoraskquestionsbasedoninformationfromthegroups’testimonies.Remember,youneedtogatheralloftheinformationyoucaninordertomakeaninformeddecision.6.Oncethetestimoniesarecomplete,theChairwillleadtheCommitteeinanopendeliberation;atthistime,youwillexpresswhereyounowstandontheissueofrequiringfirsttimedrunkdrivingoffenderstohaveanignitioninterlockinstalledineachcartheyownormayoperate.Rememberingthatthegroupsthatpresentedtoyoutodaywillbehavearoleineithersupportingyouornotsupportingyouinyourreelection,youandyourfellowlegislatorsmustcometoaconsensusregardingthebillthroughaprocessofdialogue,debate,andcompromise.7.Finally,youwilldecidetoreportthebillbacktothefullflooroftheGeneralAssemblyasfavorableorunfavorable.Youcanalsochoosetomakechangestothebill,andreportitbacktothefullfloorasfavorablewithamendments.Finally,youmayalsocompletelychangethebillandcreateaCommitteeSubstitutethatyoutakebacktotheHouse.

17

InstructionsforMothersAgainstDrunkDriving(MADD)TodayyouandotherMADDlobbyistsaretestifyingatahearingoftheNorthCarolinaGeneralAssembly’sHouseJudiciaryCommittee.YouhopetoconvincethemthattheySHOULDreportFAVORABLYonaproposedbillregardinganewpunishmentforfirst-timedrunkdrivingoffenderscalledanignitioninterlock.Thisisadevicethatteststheamountofalcoholinadriver’sbreathandshutsdownthecarifitdetectsalcohol.Yourgroup’smissionistopreventdrunkdrivinganditssocialcauses.Manyofyouhavelostlovedonesduetodrunkdrivingaccidents,andyoufeelthatarequirementsuchasthiswillsavemanylives.YouviewdrunkdrivingastheUnitedStates'mostfrequentlycommittedviolentcrime,andyouknowthatapproximatelythreeoffiveAmericanswillbeaffectedbyanalcoholimpairedcrashatsometimeintheirlives.In1998,15,935Americanswerekilledandmorethanamillionotherswereinjuredincrashesinvolvingalcohol.In1998,2210youngpeople(ages15–20)werekilledincrashesinvolvingalcohol.Currently,drunkdrivinglawsvarystatetostate.Punishmentsofteninvolvesuspensionorrevocationoftheoffender’sdriver’slicense.However,yourgroupfeelsdeterrencepunishmentssuchasthesearelesseffective,sinceoffendersoftendriveanyway.Inyourresearch,youfoundoutthatinCaliforniaalone,thereareover1millionpeopledrivingonrevokedorsuspendedlicenses,andthat40percentofallautomobileaccidentsinCaliforniainvolvedalcohol.NewMexicohasalreadyinstitutedthispolicyofignitioninterlocksandhada12percentdropinalcohol-relateddrivingdeathslastyear.Youfeelthatitisawastenottoimplementavailabletechnologyofignitioninterlockswhenitmeanssavingthousandsoflives.Frankly,inyourview,thereisnoreasonnottorequireignitioninterlocksforfirst-timeoffenders.Youfeelthatwhenpeopleareinebriated,theyareoftenincapableofmakingsounddecisions(suchasnotdriving),andinstallingthisdevicewillmakethedecisionforthem.Thus,ignitioninterlocksarenotonlyhelpfultotheinnocentvictimsontheroad,butitcanalsoprotectthepersondrinking.

PrepareYourPresentation1.AsmembersofMADD,developa5-minutepresentationwiththepurposeofconvincinglegislatorstoFAVORtheproposedbillrequiringfirsttimedrunkdrivingoffenderstohaveanignitioninterlockinstalledintheirvehicles.Select1-2groupmemberstotakenotesasyoubrainstormideasforyourpresentation.2.Makesureyourpresentationincludesconvincingreasonswhylegislatorsshouldseethingsyourway.Youcanusetheinformationaboveasastartingpoint,andaddanyotherreasonsyourgroupcancomeupwithtoargueyourside.Youshouldalsospendtimeinferringhowotherspecialinterestgroupsmayfeelaboutthisissue(seetheprovidedSummaryofSpecialInterestGroups).Iftheyarearguinganoppositeview,thinkaboutwaystoopposetheirviewpointsinyourpresentation.3.Choose3groupmemberswhowillpresenttothepaneloflegislators.Whenpresenting,beconsiderate,clear,andconvincing.Afteryourpresentation,thecommitteememberswillbeabletoaskquestionsofyourgroup.(*Questionscanbeansweredbyallgroupmembers,includingthosewhodidnotpresentthetestimony.)4.Oncethehearingiscomplete,thepaneloflegislatorswillholdanopendeliberationtodetermineiftheywillreportthebillbacktothefloorasfavorableorunfavorable.Theymayalsochoosetomakechangestothebill,andreportitbacktothefullfloorasfavorablewithamendments.Finally,theyalsohavetheoptionofcompletelychangingthebillandcreatingaCommitteeSubstitutetotakebacktotheHouse.

18

InstructionsfortheLibertarianPartyofNorthCarolinaTodayyouandotherlobbyistsfortheLibertarianPartyofNorthCarolinaaretestifyingatahearingoftheHouseJudiciaryCommittee.YouhopetoconvincethemthattheyshouldNOTFAVORabillregardinganewpunishmentforfirsttimedrunkdrivingoffenderscalledanignitioninterlock.Thisisadevicethatteststheamountofalcoholinadriver’sbreathandshutsdownthecarifitdetectsalcohol.ThepreambletotheLibertarianPartyplatformstates,“Weholdthateverypersonhasanaturalrighttolife,liberty,andthepursuitofhappinessandproperty.Weholdthatthepurposeofgovernmentistheprotectionoftherightsandpropertyofpeacefulindividuals.”Youfeelthatifthisignitioninterlocklawwereenacted,itwouldbeaviolationoftheseprinciples.Thislawwouldgivethegovernmenttoomuchpoweroverprivatepropertysincethegovernmentwouldbemandatingachangetocitizen’svehicles.Youfinditoutrageousthatconvicteddrunkdriverswouldalsohavetopayforthisgovernment-mandatedignitioninterlock(around$1,000).Sincemanydrunkdriverssufferfromthediseaseofalcoholism,wouldn’tthatmoneybebetterspentonalcoholismprevention?WhiletheLibertariansacknowledgethatdrunkdrivingisaseriouscrime,yourpartyfeelsthatpassingalawsuchasthisispermittingtoomuchgovernmentcontrolofprivateproperty.Willtheynextinstallsimilardevicesonthedoorsofbars,restaurants,andhomes,lockingyouinifyouaredrunk?Further,thereisnoproofthatthiswillhelp.Whatwillensurethatapersondoesnotborrowacarwithoutanignitioninterlock,orhavesomeoneelseblowintothedeviceforthem?Also,otherstates(suchasMaryland)haveseenimprovementsindrunkdrivingaccidentswithoutinitiatingsuchaviolatingpolicy.

PrepareYourPresentation1.AstheLibertarianParty,developa5-minutepresentationwiththepurposeofconvincingtheJudiciaryCommitteetoNOTFAVORtheproposedbillrequiringfirsttimedrunkdrivingoffenderstohaveanignitioninterlockinstalledintheirvehicles.Select1-2groupmemberstotakenotesasyoubrainstormideasforyourpresentation.2.Makesureyourpresentationincludesconvincingreasonswhylegislatorsshouldseethingsyourway.Youcanusetheinformationaboveasastartingpoint,andaddanyotherreasonsyourgroupcancomeupwithtoargueyourside.Youshouldalsospendtimeinferringhowotherspecialinterestgroupsmayfeelaboutthisissue(seetheprovidedSummaryofSpecialInterestGroups).Iftheyarearguinganoppositeview,thinkaboutwaystoopposetheirviewpointsinyourpresentation.3.Choose3groupmemberswhowillpresenttothepaneloflegislators.Whenpresenting,beconsiderate,clear,andconvincing.Afteryourpresentation,thecommitteememberswillbeabletoaskquestionsofyourgroup.(*Questionscanbeansweredbyallgroupmembers,includingthosewhodidnotpresentthetestimony.)4.Oncethehearingiscomplete,thepaneloflegislatorswillholdanopendeliberationtodetermineiftheywillreportthebillbacktothefloorasfavorableorunfavorable.Theymayalsochoosetomakechangestothebill,andreportitbacktothefullfloorasfavorablewithamendments.Finally,theyalsohavetheoptionofcompletelychangingthebillandcreatingaCommitteeSubstitutetotakebacktotheHouse.

19

InstructionsfortheAmericanCivilLibertiesUnionTodayyouandotherlobbyistsfortheAmericanCivilLibertiesUnionaretestifyingatahearingoftheHouseJudiciaryCommittee.YouhopetoconvincethemthattheyshouldNOTfavorabillregardinganewpunishmentforfirsttimedrunkdrivingoffenderscalledanignitioninterlock.Thisisadevicethatteststheamountofalcoholinadriver’sbreathandshutsdownthecarifitdetectsalcohol.TheAmericanCivilLibertiesUnionisanon-profitorganizationthatworkstodefendandpreservetheindividualrightsandlibertiesguaranteedtoeverypersoninthiscountrybytheConstitutionandlawsoftheUnitedStates.WhiletheACLUagreesthattheaccidentscausedbydrunkdrivingareunfortunate,itfeelsinstallingignitioninterlocksisaviolationof:

• Yourrighttoequalprotectionunderthelaw–Itisunfairifthegovernmentdecidestoinstallignitioninterlocksonthevehiclesoffirsttimedrunkdrivingoffendersanddoesnotdeterminepunishmentsforcitizenscommittingsimilarcrimes(i.e.drivingwhiletalkingoncellphones,eatingwhiledriving,ordrivingundertheinfluenceofotherdrugs.)Likewise,withourjusticesystemalreadybeingbiastowardsminoritiesandthepoor,thiswillbeanothergovernmentaldecisionthatthoseoftendisempoweredinoursocietywillhavetobearthebruntof.

• Yourrighttodueprocessandfairtreatmentbythegovernment–Theproposedbillstatesthateachvehicleanoffendermaypossiblyusewillhavetohavetheinterlockinstalledonit,thusfamilymemberslivinginthesamehouseholdwhohavecommittednocrimewillhavetobeartheinstallationoftheinterlock.

• Yourrighttoprivacyandfreedomfromunwarrantedgovernmentintrusionintoyourpersonalandprivateaffairs–Approvingignitioninterlockswouldallowthegovernmenttoalteraperson’sprivateproperty,whichtheACLUisfirmlyagainst.Also,theignitioninterlockwillbeinstalledonthedashboardoftheoffender’scaranditwillbeinplainsightforalltosee.Thus,thepunishmentwillbeapublicstigmatism,violatingaperson’srighttoprivacy.

Punishingfirst-timeoffendersinsuchamannerisanunfairintrusiononfreedom,especiallywhenyourgroupfeelsthatthereisnoproofthatignitioninterlockswillevenimprovethesituation.TheACLUfeelsthatratherthanfocusingonunfairpunishments,theGeneralAssemblyshouldbefocusingonproactivepreventions,suchaseducation.

PrepareYourPresentation

1.AstheACLU,developa5minutepresentationwiththepurposeofconvincingtheJudiciaryCommitteetoNOTFAVORtheproposedbillrequiringfirsttimedrunkdrivingoffenderstohaveanignitioninterlockinstalledintheirvehicles.Select1-2groupmemberstotakenotesasyoubrainstormideasforyourpresentation.2.Makesureyourpresentationincludesconvincingreasonswhylegislatorsshouldseethingsyourway.Youcanusetheinformationaboveasastartingpoint,andaddanyotherreasonsyourgroupcancomeupwithtoargueyourside.Youshouldalsospendtimeinferringhowotherspecialinterestgroupsmayfeelaboutthisissue(seetheprovidedSummaryofSpecialInterestGroups).Iftheyarearguinganoppositeview,thinkaboutwaystoopposetheirviewpointsinyourpresentation.3.Choose3groupmemberswhowillpresenttothepaneloflegislators.Whenpresenting,beconsiderate,clear,andconvincing.Afteryourpresentation,thecommitteememberswillbeabletoaskquestionsofyourgroup.(*Questionscanbeansweredbyallgroupmembers,includingthosewhodidnotpresentthetestimony.)4.Oncethehearingiscomplete,thepaneloflegislatorswillholdanopendeliberationtodetermineiftheywillreportthebillbacktothefloorasfavorableorunfavorable.Theymayalsochoosetomakechangestothebill,andreportitbacktothefullfloorasfavorablewithamendments.Finally,theyalsohavetheoptionofcompletelychangingthebillandcreatingaCommitteeSubstitutetotakebacktotheHouse.

20

InstructionsfortheAssociationofPoliceTodayyouandotherlobbyistsfortheAssociationofPolicearetestifyingatahearingoftheHouseJudiciaryCommittee.YouhopetoconvincethemthattheySHOULDFAVORabillregardinganewpunishmentforfirsttimedrunkdrivingoffenderscalledanignitioninterlock.Thisisadevicethatteststheamountofalcoholinadriver’sbreathandshutsdownthecarifitdetectsalcohol.Beingagroupofpoliceofficers,youarealltoofamiliarwiththefactthatover17,000+peopledieeachyearincarcrashesacrosstheUSinwhichadriverwaslegallydrunk.Youfeelignitioninterlocksarecrucial,sincedrivingundertheinfluencecontinuestobeaproblemandinnocentpeoplearedying.Untilthegovernmentstepsupandshowsthatoursocietyhaszerotolerancefordrunkdriving,youandyourfellowofficersbelieveitwillcontinuetobeaproblem.Manyofyouasofficershavedealtwithbelligerentandrudedrunkdriverswhoarepulledover.Whenapproachingdriverswhoaredrunk,officersoftenfinditimpossibletoreasonwiththem.Manytimesdrunkdrivershaveassaultedofficersattemptingtogivethemasobrietycheckorarrestthem.Drunkdriversalsooftenspeedawayfrompursuingpolice,turningtheirvehiclesintoaweaponandcausinganevenmoreelevateddangertotheinnocentpublic.Anignitioninterlockwouldensurethisneverhappened.TheAssociationofPolicefeelsthatgettingbehindthewheelwhileinebriatedisaninexcusablecrimethatreeksofirresponsibility.Yourgroupbelievesameasuresuchasignitioninterlockswillnotonlysavelives,butalsoassistpoliceinmaintainingsaferoadwayswithsoberdrivers.Policearealreadyoverworkedtryingtocurtailthisproblem,sowhynotusetheavailabletechnologytoassistinstoppingcrime?

PrepareYourPresentation1.AstheNCAssociationofPolice,developa5minutepresentationwiththepurposeofconvincingtheJudiciaryCommitteetoFAVORtheproposedbillrequiringfirsttimedrunkdrivingoffenderstohaveanignitioninterlockinstalledintheirvehicles.Select1-2groupmemberstotakenotesasyoubrainstormideasforyourpresentation.2.Makesureyourpresentationincludesconvincingreasonswhylegislatorsshouldseethingsyourway.Youcanusetheinformationaboveasastartingpoint,andaddanyotherreasonsyourgroupcancomeupwithtoargueyourside.Youshouldalsospendtimeinferringhowotherspecialinterestgroupsmayfeelaboutthisissue(seetheprovidedSummaryofSpecialInterestGroups).Iftheyarearguinganoppositeview,thinkaboutwaystoopposetheirviewpointsinyourpresentation.3.Choose3groupmemberswhowillpresenttothepaneloflegislators.Whenpresenting,beconsiderate,clear,andconvincing.Afteryourpresentation,thecommitteememberswillbeabletoaskquestionsofyourgroup.(*Questionscanbeansweredbyallgroupmembers,includingthosewhodidnotpresentthetestimony.)4.Oncethehearingiscomplete,thepaneloflegislatorswillholdanopendeliberationtodetermineiftheywillreportthebillbacktothefloorasfavorableorunfavorable.Theymayalsochoosetomakechangestothebill,andreportitbacktothefullfloorasfavorablewithamendments.Finally,theyalsohavetheoptionofcompletelychangingthebillandcreatingaCommitteeSubstitutetotakebacktotheHouse.

21

InstructionsfortheAllianceofAutomobileManufacturersAslobbyistsfortheAllianceofAutomobileManufacturers,yourgroupistestifyingatahearingoftheHouseJudiciaryCommittee.Atthishearing,youhopetoconvincethelegislatorsthattheySHOULDNOTreportfavorablyonaproposedbillregardinganewpunishmentforfirsttimedrunkdrivingoffenderscalledanignitioninterlock.Thisisadevicethatteststheamountofalcoholinadriver’sbreathandshutsdownthecarifitdetectsalcohol.Asanadvocacygroupfortheautomobileindustry,youfeelthatrequiringignitioninterlockstobeinstalledonthedashboardofoffender’scarswillnegativelyaffecttheautomobileindustry.Yourgroupdoesnotliketheideaofthegovernmentmandatingyetanotherpieceofequipmentthatmaybeaddedtocars.Theinterlocksmaychangetheappearanceofacarandreduceitsappealandvalue.Potentialcustomersmayseecarswiththeinterlockanddevelopanegativeperspectiveofthatparticularmodelofcar,thusreducingsalesfortheindustryasawhole.Yourgroupprovidesaforumforthoseintheautomobileindustrytodiscussissuesfacingtheindustry.Inspeakingtovariousautomobilemanufacturers,youhavegottenanoverwhelminglynegativeresponsetotheproposedignitioninterlockbill.Youfeelthelegislatorsshouldconsiderthissinceyourorganizationhasthousandsofmembers,allofwhomwilltaketheCommittee’sdecisionintoconsiderationwhenvotinginthenextelection.WhiletheAllianceofAutomobileManufacturesacknowledgesthatdrunkdrivingisaseriouscrime,yourgroupfeelstheautomobileindustryhasalreadydoneitspartintermsofsafety(seatbelts,airbags,anti-lockbreaks)andyoufeelitistimeforsomeoneelsetostepup,suchaslawenforcementdoingabetterjobwithpatrollingandsobrietychecks.Automobilesthemselvesshouldnotbealteredinanywaytopreventpeoplefromdrivingdrunk.

PrepareYourPresentation1.AstheNCAllianceofAutomobileManufacturers,developa5minutepresentationwiththepurposeofconvincingtheJudiciaryCommitteetoNOTFAVORtheproposedbillrequiringfirsttimedrunkdrivingoffenderstohaveanignitioninterlockinstalledintheirvehicles.Select1-2groupmemberstotakenotesasyoubrainstormideasforyourpresentation.2.Makesureyourpresentationincludesconvincingreasonswhylegislatorsshouldseethingsyourway.Youcanusetheinformationaboveasastartingpoint,andaddanyotherreasonsyourgroupcancomeupwithtoargueyourside.Youshouldalsospendtimeinferringhowotherspecialinterestgroupsmayfeelaboutthisissue(seetheprovidedSummaryofSpecialInterestGroups).Iftheyarearguinganoppositeview,thinkaboutwaystoopposetheirviewpointsinyourpresentation.3.Choose3groupmemberswhowillpresenttothepaneloflegislators.Whenpresenting,beconsiderate,clear,andconvincing.Afteryourpresentation,thecommitteememberswillbeabletoaskquestionsofyourgroup.(*Questionscanbeansweredbyallgroupmembers,includingthosewhodidnotpresentthetestimony.)4.Oncethehearingiscomplete,thepaneloflegislatorswillholdanopendeliberationtodetermineiftheywillreportthebillbacktothefloorasfavorableorunfavorable.Theymayalsochoosetomakechangestothebill,andreportitbacktothefullfloorasfavorablewithamendments.Finally,theyalsohavetheoptionofcompletelychangingthebillandcreatingaCommitteeSubstitutetotakebacktotheHouse.