Local Government Issues
	Find your local chamber of commerce.  Don't forget local networking can pay off in a few years.  Some of your local council members can become state or U.S. representatives.  Another method of finding a local chamber of commerce - U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Usually in the local chamber of commerce listing, the city council members are listed.   Example of local chamber of commerce: Sacramento, California is www.calchamber.com (after web page comes up, click on web-site link option). Helena, Montana is http://www.helenachamber.com/
State Government Issues
	Usually typing in www.state.gov will locate your state government, "state" is your state's abbreviation or full state name - example:             California - www.ca.gov             Or visit State Government listing
Constitutional Officers
	U.S. Directory - Senators and Representatives (Congressional Rep.)        California State Legislature - Assemblymembers and State Senators
Appropriations or Finance Review committees and sub-committees members:
	Federal Level -  There are U.S. Representatives - appropriation committee  and U.S. Senate - appropriation committee that determines the federal budget. The appropriation committee has several sub-committess - U.S. Representatives.    State Level - In California, there are sub-committees (i.e., fiscal) that help determine funding  for each state department.  You want to know the members of these committees, these politicians must be aware of your local needs to ensure proper funding level for state programs.  California State Assembly Committees  and Senate Committees.
Tips on searching legislation (as of 4/11/2001)
	You need to know at both the federal and state level the session or year of congress and which level of government.    U.S. Congress or U.S. Representatives - 107th session is the current session, federal year October - September California State - Assembly or Senate - current session is 2000-2001, state year June - July
Legislation Search Tools
	U.S. Legislation Use the U.S. Legislation search tool to locate "American Indian" in any bill text. House and Senate Legislation - current update   California Legislation - Search Tools Use the State Legislation search tool to locate "American Indian" in any bill text. State Senate or Assembly - legislation - determine which house (senate, assembly or both), then key in your search. Note:  most local, state, and federal search engine use "American Indian" in their legislative text.
Tribal Legislation
	U.S. sub-committee, Native American Congress, and National Indian Health Board web sites:       U.S. Indian Affairs Committee - Senate      American Indian National Congress      National Indian Health Board
Other Native American Legislative sites
	California Rural Indian Health Board (CRIHB)

Basic guidelines on lobbying, advocating, or speaking with your representative:

Timing - don't miss the bus and don't be too early on the topic. If this is a new bill, need to work with your representative very early. If this is an existing bill, need to approach your representative prior to the bill's first review. Review your legislative bill text - know what you are talking about and how the bill will impact you and your community. Draft out one page letter with your concerns. Don't give up, make an appointment with your representative and/or representative's staffer. Get to know the representative's staffer/scheduler - very important to build up a good relationship. On your visit, make sure you have your representative's phone number and address with you. Obtain letters of support.  It is good if you represent a large voting body or community organization. After meeting with your legislative body, send a follow-up letter (i.e., thank you or more information). If you are going to provide testimony at a hearing, make sure to have the latest copy of the legislation and extra copies of your one page issue letter.

Good Luck !
 

If you have any question, send them to drbegay@aol.com

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