Organizational Structure

NCSL BylawsOfficers

Executive Committee

Executive Committee Task Forces

William Pound Executive Director

Nancy Rhyme Deputy Executive Director

Divisions*Washington Office

*State Policy Research*Operations

*State Services*Outreach and Communications

International Programs

Foundation for State Legislatures

Denver Office

• NCSL Headquarters

• Research on a variety of issues

• Consulting services on policy issues

• Think-tank environment

Denver Office, NCSL

7700 East First Place

Denver, CO 80230

Tel: 303-364-7700 | Fax: 303-364-7800

Washington, D.C. Office• Instrumentality of the States - Exempt from lobbying rules

• Advocates on behalf of states

• Opposes unfunded mandates and unwarranted federal preemption

• Advocates policy positions adopted by the standing committees

Washington Office, NCSL

444 North Capitol Street, N.W., Suite 515

Washington, D.C. 20001

Tel: 202-624-5400 | Fax: 202-737-1069

Organizational Structure

NCSL BylawsOfficers

Executive Committee

Executive Committee Task Forces

William Pound Executive Director

Nancy Rhyme Deputy Executive Director

Divisions*Washington Office

*State Policy Research*Operations

*State Services*Outreach and Communications

International Programs

Foundation for State Legislatures

• The NCSL Bylaws serve as the foundation for NCSL’s

organizational structure, purpose, finance, and governance.

• The bylaws can be amended by a 3/5 majority vote at NCSL

Annual Business Meetings.

NCSL Bylaws

Legislator Officers

PresidentThe President serves as the chair of the Executive Committee and as a member, ex officio, with the right to vote, on

all committees and subcommittees of the Executive Committee except the Nominating Committee. The President,

with the approval of the Executive Committee, appoints the legislator officers and members of all appropriate

committees and subcommittees of the Executive Committee.

The President presides at all meetings of the Executive Committee and performs other duties as are incidental to the

office of President or that are prescribed by the Executive Committee.

President-ElectThe President-Elect performs the duties of the President in the event of the President's absence or inability to serve.

Vice PresidentThe Vice President performs the duties of the President-Elect in the event of the absence or inability of the

President-Elect to serve.

Immediate Past President The Immediate Past President serves as the President of the Foundation for State Legislatures.

Legislative Staff Officers

Staff ChairThe Staff Chair serves as the chair of the Staff Division of the Conference and performs such other duties delegated

by the Executive Committee or the President. The Staff Chair, with the approval or authorization of the Executive

Committee, appoints the legislative staff officers and members of all appropriate committees and subcommittees of

the Executive Committee.

Staff Vice Chair The Staff Vice Chair serves as Vice Chair of the Staff Division and performs the duties of the Staff Chair in the

event of the officer's absence or inability to serve, and performs such other duties as may be delegated to the Staff

Vice Chair by the Staff Chair or the Executive Committee.

Immediate Past Staff ChairThe Immediate Past Staff Chair serves as the Secretary-Treasurer of the Foundation for State Legislatures and

performs other duties as assigned by the Executive Committee and the Staff Chair.

OfficersProspective officers first interview with the Legislator or Legislative Staff Nominating Committee during

the Legislative Summit, which then presents its recommendations for the new officers during the annual

NCSL business meeting, which also takes place at the Summit. The recommendations are then voted on

upon at the business meeting.

Therefore, officers are elected by NCSL membership as Vice President (Legislator) or as Staff Vice Chair

(Staff), then ascend annually to next post (1 year terms). (Past NCSL Officers)

Legislator Offices

President – (3rd year)

President-elect – (2nd year)

Vice President – (1st year)

Immediate Past President – (4th year)

Legislative Staff Offices

Staff Chair – (2nd year)

Staff Vice Chair – (1st year)

Immediate Past Staff Chair – (3rd year)

Executive CommitteeThe Executive Committee serves as NCSL’s Governing Body.

• The Executive Committee meets 4 times each year.

• The Executive Committee and conference officers have supervision, control and direction of the affairs of the conference, its

committees and publications.

• Implements NCSL policies and supervises the disbursement of funds.

Prospective Executive Committee members first interview with the Appropriate Nominating Committee during the Legislative Summit,

which then presents its recommendations during the annual NCSL business meeting, which also takes place at the Summit. The

recommendations are then voted on upon at the business meeting.

• Executive Committee members are eligible to serve three 1-year terms

• 63 members

7 officers

30 at-large legislator members

Legislator members are required to be balanced by party and region

4 regional legislators from the Council of State Governments

6 ex officio members

16 legislative staff members

Organizational Structure

NCSL BylawsOfficers

Executive Committee

Executive Committee Task Forces

William Pound Executive Director

Nancy Rhyme Deputy Executive Director

Divisions*Washington Office

*State Policy Research*Operations

*State Services*Outreach and Communications

International Programs

Foundation for State Legislatures

Executive Management

Nancy Rhyme

Deputy Executive Director

The Executive Director is the chief administrator

of the Conference, responsible for all management

functions under the direction of the officers and

Executive Committee.

The Executive Director manages and direct all

activities of the Conference as prescribed by the

Executive Committee and is responsible to the

Committee.

The Deputy Executive Director performs duties as

assigned by the Executive Director.

William Pound

Executive Director

Organizational Structure

NCSL BylawsOfficers

Executive Committee

Executive Committee Task Forces

William Pound Executive Director

Nancy Rhyme Deputy Executive Director

Divisions*Washington Office

*State Policy Research*Operations

*State Services*Outreach and Communications

International Programs

Foundation for State Legislatures

Executive Committee Task ForcesThe NCSL Executive Committee commissions Task Forces to complement the work

of the nine standing committees. Task forces typically deal with issues that cut across

the jurisdictions of the standing committees and are created for a specified period of

time. They range in size from 20 to 30 legislators and legislative staff.

Task forces have been very effective at developing positions on highly complex and

controversial issues, including immigration reform, welfare reform and No Child

Left Behind.

Members of task forces are appointed by the NCSL president and staff chair and

have Republican and Democrat co-chairs. Policy statements on state-federal issues

that are developed by task forces must be approved through the regular NCSL policy

process before becoming official.

Task Forces:

Agriculture – Cybersecurity – Energy Supply – Immigration and the States – Innovations in State Health Systems –

International Relations – Military and Veterans’ Affairs – State and Local Taxation (SALT)

Agriculture

Mission

NCSL’s Agriculture Task Force was created to examine state and federal agriculture policy issues. The task force helps develop NCSL agriculture policy, study critical agriculture and rural development issues facing the states, explore policy options to address these concerns, as well as serve as a conduit for state legislative communication with Congress, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and other federal agencies.

Executive Committee Task Forces

Cybersecurity

Mission

The mission of the NCSL Cybersecurity Task Force is to engage members in policy discussions, educate members and extend networking opportunities to legislative leaders on cybersecurity issues through a series of well-defined programs, webinars on key definitions and critical cyber policy issues as well as supporting private-public networks.

Executive Committee Task Forces

Energy Supply

Mission

As state decision makers create and shape energy policy, they are confronting the challenge of utilizing the growing wealth of North American energy resources and incorporating new energy technologies in a way that energizes the economy while addressing environmental concerns.

The Task Force on Energy Supply explores the issues and opportunities faced by state policymakers as they shape energy policies and grow a reliable, affordable and resilient energy system to power the nation. The task force also provides NCSL with guidance as it develops energy policy resources for legislators and legislative staff.

Executive Committee Task Forces

Immigration and the States

Mission

This task force was created in early 2006 primarily to tackle the job of crafting a policy statement to guide NCSL's immigration lobbying efforts with the federal government. The policy has given NCSL substantial credibility on immigration. Since adoption of the statement, the task force has been immersed in the organization's efforts to influence the final shape of national immigration legislation.

Additionally, the task force has been successful in focusing attention on the unprecedented state legislative efforts to address immigration issues. NCSL's official immigration policy can be found here.

Executive Committee Task Forces

Innovations in State Health Systems

Mission

Two of the most important and challenging health care issues for state policymakers are improving patient care and, at the same time, controlling escalating costs.

As state decision makers create and shape health system policies, they are leveraging the states’ market power as both the purchasers of health care and stewards of quality. They also integrate new technologies and methods in ways that improves their citizens’ health while balancing the challenges and opportunities of federal health reform efforts.

NCSL’s Task Force on Innovations in State Health Systems explores the issues and opportunities faced by state policymakers as they reform their own health system. The task force also provides NCSL with guidance as it develops health policy resources for legislators and legislative staff.

Executive Committee Task Forces

International Relations

Mission

Review NCSL activities with foreign governments and/or subnational governments. Identify the structure for NCSL activities and explore how state legislatures might better coordinate international activities and approaches. Investigate whether there are resources from the US Government, foreign governments or foundations to support expanded international cooperation between legislators, legislative staff and their counterparts in other national/subnational governments.

Executive Committee Task Forces

Military and Veterans’ Affairs

Mission

This task force was created to examine issues affecting military-community relations and the health and well-being of veterans.

Among the issues the task force examines include: development near military installations; military-community partnerships to respond to mission change; veteran hiring and procurement preferences; mental health, substance abuse and family relationships facing returning veterans; and benefits for military personnel, veterans and their dependents.

Executive Committee Task Forces

State and Local Taxation

Mission

Address issues on tax policy to provide guidance to state legislators in the emerging taxation issues of the 21st century economy, maintaining sovereignty while acknowledging need to work across state lines, guide states by developing model principles for tax reform and modernization.

Executive Committee Task Forces

Organizational Structure

NCSL BylawsOfficers

Executive Committee

Executive Committee Task Forces

William Pound Executive Director

Nancy Rhyme Deputy Executive Director

Divisions*Washington Office

*State Policy Research*Operations

*State Services*Outreach and Communications

International Programs

Foundation for State Legislatures

NCSL Foundation“The NCSL Foundation is committed to the important work of strengtheningAmerica’s legislatures, counteracting cynicism and distrust of the legislative process, and helping lawmakers confront and solve the critical issues of our time through a public-private dialogue.”

• President of the Foundation is the Immediate Past President of NCSL

• Foundation staff report to Executive Director

• 501(c)(3) that raises money from the private sector/unions

• Contributes to NCSL activities through grants

• ~$2.3 million annually

• Core programs:

Center for Ethics in Government

Women’s Legislative Network

Center for Ethics in GovernmentMission: to be a leader in restoring confidence in representative government by promoting ethical behavior for state legislators, staff, lobbyists and advocates

• Funded through grants from the NCSL Foundation• Develops ethical standards for legislators and advocates• Training programs • Research and information on ethics laws and trends• Forums to address issues of ethics and public integrity

• Issue areas: • Conflict of interest• Financial disclosure• Gift restrictions• Lobbyist regulation

NCSL Foundation

Women’s Legislative Network

“The mission of the Women's Legislative Network is to promote the participation, empowerment, and leadership of women legislators.”

• Funded through grants from the NCSL Foundation

• Women are 24.5 percent of all state legislators.

• NCSL sponsors briefings, skill-building workshops, receptions, awards

• Special focus on:

Women’s health

Financial stability

Women in the military

NCSL Foundation

Organizational Structure

NCSL BylawsOfficers

Executive Committee

Executive Committee Task Forces

William Pound Executive Director

Nancy Rhyme Deputy Executive Director

Divisions*Washington Office

*State Policy Research*Operations

*State Services*Outreach and Communications

International Programs

Foundation for State Legislatures

NCSL International Program

The NCSL International Program serves as the liaison between U.S. state

legislatures and their international counterparts

The Director of the International Program reports to the Executive Director

Conducts research, policy conferences and forums, workshops, etc.

Oversees exchange programs

Technical assistance in developing democracies

Identifies international issues with state and regional implications

Is located in the NCSL Washington D.C. Office

Organizational Structure

NCSL BylawsOfficers

Executive Committee

Executive Committee Task Forces

William Pound Executive Director

Nancy Rhyme Deputy Executive Director

Divisions*Washington Office

*State Policy Research*Operations

*State Services*Outreach and Communications

International Programs

Foundation for State Legislatures

NCSL Divisions

NCSL is organized into 5 principal Divisions that are managed by a

Division Director(s) who reports directly to the NCSL Executive Director:

1) State Policy Research,

2) Operations,

3) State Services,

4) Outreach and Communications, and

5) State Federal Relations.

The State-Federal Relations Division is located in the Washington D.C.

Office and the other 4 are located in Denver.

NCSL Divisions

State Policy Research

• Children and Families

• Environment, Energy, and Transportation

• Criminal Justice

• Education

• Health

• Grants Development Coordination

Operations

• Human Resources

• Finance and Accounting

• Computer/Technology Services

• Office Management

State Services

• Legislative Management

• Center for Ethics

• Fiscal Affairs

• Casey Project

• State Assignments

• Legislative Leaders Center

• Legislative Staff Coordinating Committee

Outreach and Communications

• Communications

• Foundation for State Legislatures

• Outreach and Marketing

• Digital Communications

• State Assignments

• State-Tribal Relations

• Publications

• Meetings and Seminars

Washington Office

• State-Federal Relations

• Standing Committees

• Immigration Policy

• Media and Public Affairs