Working with a Lobbyist: Where to Turn When a Law Could be Harmful to Your Business
In addition to budgeting and corporate strategy, it’s critical for businesses to prepare for the legislative session, which, in Maryland, begins in January and runs through April. Advocating for, and against, legislation – and, at minimum, being aware of pending legislative proposals – is not limited to large companies or specific industries. State policy can critically impact businesses of all sizes, non-profits and even entire industries.
Below are three steps that Old Line Government Affairs implements when amending or defeating legislation that may adversely affect your interests. It’s a process that in some cases can be more challenging than passing a bill into law.
Understand the Political Landscape
Which legislators should you talk to in the General Assembly? There are 141 members in the House and 47 members in the Senate. Identifying those who are sponsoring legislation, and those who may be against it, and thereby able to serve as your allies, is only the first step in your strategy to amend or defeat legislation. On most issues, an experienced lobbyist can form a diverse, bi-partisan coalition of legislators who understand the negative impact a law could have on your business, and potentially others. Understanding each legislator’s personal background, political philosophy and constituents is a key factor when attempting to prevent certain legislation from becoming law.
Knowledge of the Issue
Do you have sufficient knowledge of the issue to discuss it with the appropriate legislators? When meeting with legislators, you must have an arsenal of data, testimonials, and examples of the impact the legislation has on your business or industry. Will there be a cost to the state? Will it affect jobs? Other businesses like yours? How will it impact existing laws? Old Line’s lobbyists help prepare you with the answers.
Timing is Everything
The legislative session lasts 90 days. Are you able to commit three months to lobby against the issue? Bills – especially those that are contested – can take the entire session to allow for lawmakers to hear testimony, consider implications, and make amendments – all before a final vote takes place. On the other hand, legislative policy can come together literally at the last minute and be rushed through the General Assembly, without any hearings whatsoever.
Motions, amendments and delay tactics are tools to help defeat or prevent a bill from coming to a vote before the end of session. During the legislative session our lobbyists are present in Annapolis 24/7 monitoring and tracking client issues until the final bell on Sine Die. Our long, established relationships with lawmakers engender conversations in the committees as well as in private meetings for candid exchanges that can help avoid last-minute surprises.
Contact us to learn more about the legislative process and how Old Line Government Affairs can help your business or organization develop strategies to successfully implement – or influence – new policy.
