It’s just a little less than 2 weeks until Pre-Leg 1 occurs at 4 different sites across the state.  Here’s how to get prepared and what to expect once you’re there:

• Legislators:
  • If you haven’t begun writing your bill yet, make sure that you read our bill writing guide to get started.
  • Once you are ready to start writing, you can use the bill format template to ensure that the formatting is correct. Bring 20 copies of both your bill and bill brief to Pre-Leg 1 with you.
  • You may want to read the guide to Pre-Leg before you go.
• Attorneys, Lobbyists and Pages will begin training for their roles in the program at Pre-Leg 1.
• Candidates for major offices should come prepared to give a one to three minute speech and campaign for their position. Candidates for Presiding Officer will not give a speech, but will instead conduct a short role play, so come prepared with a good understanding of parliamentary procedure.
• Those that are interested in filing for an Administrative Office can still do so up until Pre-Leg 1 begins. If you plan on filing there, make sure you have all of the required paperwork (ask your advisor) and come prepared to give a short speech.

For those of you that are new to the program, welcome to Youth & Government! For those that are returning, welcome back. Hopefully, you are looking forward to another great year.

For the first time in many years, there are no major program changes to announce, so let’s jump right in…

Legislators

1. Need a idea for a bill or help to get started writing? Start with our bill writing guide.
2. After you have a topic, here are some helpful links to use when doing research.
3. When you are ready to start writing, use our templates for your bill and bill brief.

Judicial

Update (9/12/11): All judicial materials including the trial and appeal handbooks, facts and case law as well as bench memo best practices can be found at the Judicial help page.

Everyone

Like us on Facebook (over in the right sidebar) and keep up to date with all of the events going on during the year.  You can even start campaigning (if you are running for an office) or start making a case for your bill well before Springfield.  Be sure to share with others in your delegation, too.