FREDERIKSTED, ST. CROIX - May 1, 2013
In February of 2013, Senate President Shawn-Michael Malone appointed Senator Judi Buckley to the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) Law and Criminal Justice Standing Committee. The NCSL is a bipartisan organization that serves the legislators and staffs of the nation's 50 states, its commonwealths and territories. NCSL provides research, technical assistance and opportunities for policymakers to exchange ideas on the most pressing state issues.
NCSL Standing Committees are made up of legislators and staff appointed by the leadership of their respective state legislatures. Standing Committees are similar in makeup and jurisdiction to state legislature committees. There are 10 NCSL Standing Committees that focus on maintaining a balanced state-federal system, preserving state and territorial sovereignty. The Standing Committees' broad jurisdiction includes state-federal law preemption issues, constitution and constitutional law, civil rights and liability issues.
The three day Spring Forum 2013 in Denver, Colorado brings together state legislators from across the country. The conference includes opportunities for legislators to collectively learn and share information across state lines. Conference meetings include topics such as "Can Violence Be Prevented?" which focuses on research related to best practices that ensure schools and communities are prepared for and safe from violence. The meeting is moderated by Senator John W. Ford of Oklahoma. Other topics include exploring state successes and challenges -- as well as benefits and costs -- as 29 states strive to meet their renewable energy goals.
Committee meetings allow legislators and staff to collaboratively benefit from the experiences of other states in crafting public policy, drafting new laws, and managing legislative institutions, as well as developing policy directives and resolutions on state-federal issues that guide NCSL lobbyists in Washington, D.C.
"I am so grateful for this opportunity to attend the National Conference of State Legislatures. Not only am I looking forward to meeting other state representatives and sharing information, I am very excited about some of the workshops being offered. Many of the topics are extremely relevant to us here in the VI, including issues to be covered in the Law and Criminal Justice Committee that I serve on. I look at this as not only an educational opportunity, but also a chance to be an ambassador for the Virgin Islands. A special "Thank You" goes out to Cruzan Rum for donating miniature bottles of rum to be given out to my counterparts in the US." expressed Senator Buckley.
Meetings slated for the Law and Criminal Justice Committee include:
- "Can Violence Be Prevented?"
- Fiscal Impacts of Immigration
- Prescription Drug Use in the States and Lessons from Workers' Compensation
- Marijuana Regulation
- Law and Criminal Justice Committee Federal Update and Business Meeting
To view the full conference agenda click here
The Spring Forum offers Senators the opportunity to hear from national experts, to interact with NCSL staff who are available to assist with legislative research, and to help develop policies that direct NCSL's advocacy efforts on behalf of the states and territories.
Senator Buckley will monitor constituent emails and issues affecting St. Croix while out of the territory. The Senator's office will continue regular office hours M-F from 8am-5pm at the Legislature Complex in Frederiksted, Suite 6.
Follow Senator Buckley's Facebook page www.facebook.com/senatorjudibuckley for updates on NCSL meeting news and more.
