The rules of the legislature can feel overwhelming for a new member, but understanding parliamentary procedure is one of the most important tools for becoming an effective legislator. Join former New Hampshire Representative Marilinda Garcia for a practical introduction to the rules, motions, and procedures that shape legislative debate and decision-making. This session will help new lawmakers better understand how to navigate the legislative process, participate confidently in debate, and use parliamentary procedure effectively while preserving fairness, order, and institutional integrity.

State budgets can be intimidating for a new legislator, but understanding where the money comes from, where it goes, and the decisions that shape that process is essential to effective governing. Join policy expert Kurt Couchman and Ohio Rep. Mike Dovilla for a practical introduction to state budgeting, including the fundamentals of appropriations and fiscal notes and the key questions lawmakers should be asking as they evaluate spending and tax proposals. Designed specifically for incoming legislators, this session will help you build a stronger foundation for approaching one of the legislature’s most important responsibilities: being a thoughtful steward of public resources.

Good policy matters, but how you communicate it can determine whether others understand why it matters. In this session, newly elected legislators will hear directly from entrepreneurs and the lawmakers who worked alongside them to turn real-world challenges into compelling cases for reform. Using food truck and mobile barber reforms as case studies, panelists will explore how constituent stories can put a human face on complex policy issues, illustrate the need for change, and help lawmakers communicate solutions in ways that resonate with colleagues, stakeholders, and the public.

Every bill starts with an idea, but turning that idea into law requires navigating a lot more than a vote on the floor. Join former Wyoming legislator Tyler Lindholm and Mack Morris for a practical walkthrough of the legislative lifecycle, from identifying a problem and developing an idea to bill drafting, committees, amendments, floor debate, passage, and beyond.

Along the way, they’ll discuss what new legislators should be thinking about at each stage, the questions to ask, the relationships that matter, and how to anticipate the moments that can move a bill forward or stop it in its tracks. Whether you already have your first bill idea or are still learning how the process works, this session will help you enter your first session with a better understanding of the road ahead.