LOBBYING POLICY
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| Effective |
December 5, 1999 |
| Purpose |
To establish a uniform legislative contact procedure to assist and support all Department of Natural Resources employees in the planning and coordination of efforts with our partners in the General Assembly and Congress. |
| Authority |
ORC 1501.01 |
| Reference |
Media and Communications Policy |
| Resource |
Administration - Legislative Liaison |
Guidelines
All ODNR employees shall adhere to established ODNR positions on legislation and policy. All ODNR employees will provide notice of any legislative contact using the following guidelines:
The Ohio General Assembly
A. Legislative contacts to Legislators and their staff
- General Communication - Any ODNR employee will contact the Legislative Liaison or Assistant Liaison by phone, e-mail, or contact sheet prior to any planned legislative contact. All written communication to legislators must be approved by your Deputy Director and the Legislative Liaison or Assistant Liaison prior to being sent. A copy will be filed with the Legislative Liaison. Unscheduled contact should be reported as soon as possible.
- Legislative Initiatives - The need for a new legislative initiative should be brought forward by the Division Chief to the Deputy Director, who will be responsible for contacting the Legislative Liaison unless otherwise instructed. All questions regarding pending legislation shall be referred to and coordinated by the Legislative Liaison.
- Lobbying - Lobbying is defined as: "Actively advocating" which means to promote, advocate, or oppose the passage, modification, defeat, or executive approval or veto of any legislation by direct communication with any member of the General Assembly, any member of the Controlling Board, the Governor, the director of any department, or any member of the staff or employee of any public office.
Do not initiate any lobbying effort on any matter pertaining to the Department of Natural Resources. It is the responsibility of the Deputy Directors and the Legislative Liaison to discuss your proposal first with the ODNR Management Team before responding, to assure a coordinated departmental approach.
For the purposes of lobbying the General Assembly, the following positions will be registered with the Joint Legislative Ethics Committee (JLEC). Any ODNR lobbying effort must directly involve and/or be carried out by the employees holding these positions:
- Director
- Assistant Director
- Deputy Director
- Legislative Liaison
- Assistant Legislative Liaison
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B. Legislative contacts from Legislators and their staff
Contact initiated by legislators or their staff to any ODNR employee will be responded to by that employee in a straightforward and technical manner. A legislative contact sheet will then be forwarded to the Legislative Liaison as soon as possible. Responses should include technical information and facts only. Any request regarding new or pending legislation or new policy proposals should be referred to the Deputy Director or Legislative Liaison.
Requests for positions on pending legislation will be discussed with and/or provided by an agent of the Department who is registered with JLEC and will not be given by ODNR staff without the prior consent of a registered agent.
C. Media Communications
All contacts from the media regarding any legislation or lobbying effort shall be coordinated with the office of Public Information and Communications.
Other State Boards and Commissions
1. The Joint Committee Agency Rule Review (JCARR)
The Legislative Liaisons signature is required on any rules or requests that are to be forwarded to JCARR.
2. The Controlling Board
A copy of any official submission to the Controlling Board is to be filed with the Legislative Liaison.
The Congress of The United States
A. Legislative Contacts to Congress and their staff.
- General Communication - Any ODNR employee will contact the Assistant Director prior to any contact with a member of Congress or Congressional staff. All written communication to a member of Congress must be approved by the Assistant Director prior to being sent. A copy will be filed with the Assistant Director.
- Congressional Initiatives - Any new congressional initiative should be brought forward by the Division Chief to the Deputy Director, who will be responsible for contacting the Assistant Director. After the initial contact, all questions regarding pending Congressional activity shall be referred to and coordinated by the Assistant Director.
- Lobbying - Do not initiate any lobbying effort on any matter pertaining to the Department of Natural Resources. It is the responsibility of the Assistant Director to discuss your proposal first with the ODNR Management Team and the Governors Washington Office before responding, to assure a coordinated departmental approach.
B. Congressional Contacts from Members of Congress or their Staff
Contact initiated from members of Congress or their staff to any ODNR employee will be responded to by that employee in a straightforward and technical manner. A contact sheet will then be completed and forwarded to the Assistant Director as soon as possible.
C. Medial Communications
All contacts from the media regarding any legislation or lobbying effort shall be coordinated with the office of Public Information and Communications.
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