According to Speaker Lujan, the following guidelines will greatly improve the possibility of getting legislation through the House, Senate and Governor's Office:

• Recruit chiropractors and patients from each Legislative District to make contact with their Representative and Senator.
Start early.
• Talk with other groups that support our proposals.
• Talk with other groups that oppose our proposals.
• Be prepared to address why our proposals are good public policy.
• Meet with Legislators and find a strong sponsor who supports chiropractic.
• Be willing to compromise. (We can do more in the long run if we are willing to give up some things.)
• Be willing to alter our position or address it in a different way.
• Provide information on counter arguments.
• Develop a short statement to use with everyone as to why our proposals are important and include any downside.
• Visit with the Chairman and members of the Legislative Committee to which the legislation is assigned.
• Visit with the Legislative Committee Secretary if you cannot meet with committee members.
• Do a lot of this work before the session begins.
• Be honest about our proposals and include the down side, which is better heard from us than opposing groups.
• Note: The Governor is a friend of chiropractic!
• When proposals are approved by the Legislature --DO NOT STOP WORKING!!!
• Visit with the Governor and send as much support as possible.
• DO NOT GIVE UP!!
• The system appears more complicated than it is. Legislators are people who are trying to make this state better for everyone.
• Always be willing to compromise.
• IT IS A MUST THAT CHIROPRACATORS FROM EACH AND EVERY DISTRICT CONTACT THEIR LEGISLATORS!!
• Prepare smaller bills that are less cumbersome and make our point in a shorter manner.
• Garner support in committee by visiting Chairmen and Committee Members to discuss the proposal before them. Again, chiropractors and patients from the Legislators' Districts should visit them and solicit their support.
• Our Lobbyist will give us all sides of the issues and will be there day and night.

Following is the path of a bill as it works its way from creation to the signing into law:

• The first step is to find a strong sponsor.
• Then, the proposal goes to the Legislative Council for drafting.
• Once drafted, it comes back to us for a review of wording.
• Once reviewed, it returns to the Legislative Council to finalize the wording before introduction.
• Then our sponsor introduces the bill into the House or Senate.
• The Speaker of the House or Senate will assign it to the appropriate committees.
If successful in the assigned committees, the bill will go to the House or Senate Floor.
• If it passes on the House or Senate Floor, it is sent to the Senate from the House or the House from the Senate.
• The process begins again within the second Legislative body.
• If the bill passes the second Legislative body, it goes to the Governor for signing.
• Bills can be introduced into both the House and the Senate at the same time.
TALK TO BOTH CHAMBERS AND LET THEM KNOW THE BILL IS COMING!!!

If we all work together and follow the above guidelines, we will have a much greater chance of a having our legislation made into law. Dr. Sherry Gaber, Vice President and Legislative Committee Chairman for the NMCA, will be deeply involved in this process and available to guide the efforts of everyone involved. Please contact her with ideas, questions, and your availability to participate in this process. Dr. Gaber can be reached at Drsherryg@aol.com and (505) 982-7045