Lobbying Protocols

NJSBA Lobbying Protocols

NJSBA lobbying is conducted in accordance with the following protocols. Sections

and committees designate the level of importance of the bill to their members when

submitting comments on the legislative position form. The Legislative committee

designates bill priority, which may be approved by the Board of Trustees:



Low Priority Legislation: The Legislative Department staff writes only to the spon-

sors of the bill. Our letter informs the legislators of the NJSBA’s position on the leg-

islation. When completing a legislative position form, sections and committees need

not designate a contact person. We will conduct no additional lobbying efforts

unless a legislator requests further information or assistance from the NJSBA.



Moderate Priority Legislation: The Legislative Department writes to the sponsors

of the bill, to members of any legislative committee to which the bill as been referred

for a hearing, to members of the Senate or Assembly when the bill is scheduled for a

vote before either body, and to the Governor. In addition, any section or committee

that has indicated its willingness to provide testimony or meet with legislators or the

Governor’s Office will be notified as appropriate. Sections and committees may

specify a contact person when completing the legislative position form. No testi-

mony before legislative committees will be provided unless a section or committee

designates a contact person available to provide such testimony, or unless a legislator

has questions regarding the NJSBA’s position at a committee hearing, in which case,

Legislative Department staff attorneys will respond to such requests.



High Priority Legislation: The Legislative Department will use all of its lobbying

resources to advance the NJSBA’s position on legislation designated with a high pri-

ority. The Legislative Department writes to the sponsors of the bill, to members of

any legislative committees to which the bill has been referred for a hearing, to mem-

bers of the Senate or Assembly when the bill is scheduled for a vote before either

body, and to the Governor. The Legislative Department will prepare and coordinate

NJSBA written and oral testimony before legislative committees, testify before legis-

lative committees where appropriate if experts from NJSBA sections and committees

are not available, and coordinate meetings with legislators, interest groups and the

Governor’s Office to advance the NJSBA’s position. Sections and committees are

encouraged to designate two contact persons who will be available to provide testi-

mony and meet with legislators, interest groups and the Governor’s Office. The

Legislative Department will also enlist support for the NJSBA’s position by building

coalitions with other interest groups and making use of the NJSBA Key Contact Net-

work and County Bar Legislative Chairs.