Staying away from advocating for policy change because of fear based on lack of understanding of the law could unnecessarily restrict your coalition's effectiveness.
Lobbying: Direct & Grassroots Direct Lobbying
Any attempt to influence any legislation through communication with:
- Any member or employee of a legislative body;
- Any Governmental official or employee who may participate in the formulation of the legislation, only if the principal purpose is to influence legislation
A communication with a legislator or governmental official is considered lobbying if and only if:- Refers to specific legislation and;
- Reflects a view on such legislation
Two Required Elements for Advocacy to be Lobbying:
- Communication must refer to a specific piece of legislation AND it must reflect a view on that legislation
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Examples - It is not lobbying to sit in your Senator's office and discuss a specific piece of legislation, as long as you don't advocate for a specific view on that legislation
- It is not lobbying to sit in the same office and discuss your position on a policy issue or issues as long as the discussion is not about a specific bill
Grassroots Lobbying - Refers to the many types of indirect attempts to communicate with and influence legislators, such as communication aimed at legislators' constituents
Activities that are not Lobbying - Meeting with a legislator to discuss social problem, without mentioning a specific proposal
- Providing a legislator with educational materials about a specific piece of legislation, without calling for specific action on the legislation
- Responding to a request from a legislative committee for information about a specific piece of legislation
- Tracking activities of legislators, including votes, positions taken, contributions accepted, etc.
- Talking to the media
- Advocating for better enforcement of existing laws
- Conducting public education campaigns
- Producing and disseminating research reports or studies that provide nonpartisan analysis on policy issues, including specific legislative issues
- Advocating the enactment and enforcement of private or voluntary policies, (e.g. alcohol purchase restrictions in stadiums)
- A newsletter to your own members providing info about a specific piece of legislation, but not a specific call to action (e.g. a request to call or write to legislators)
This information was provided by
SmokeFree Wisconsin
