SENATE, No. 2284

WHEREAS, the National Conference of State Legislatures is a national nonprofit, non­partisan organization established in 1975; and

WHEREAS, Massachusetts has been a member since the organization was established; and

WHEREAS, annual membership dues are paid from the general appropriation act; and

WHEREAS, membership fees cover all elected members of the Massachusetts House of Representatives and Senate; and

WHEREAS, the National Conference of State Legislatures serves state governments by tracking national trends and conditions and advocates for multi-state partnerships and problem solving and for providing leadership training; and

WHEREAS, since 1975, the National Conference of State Legislatures has held an annual meeting to bring together government and public interest leaders and their families to discuss relevant issues of concern to the legislators of all the states; and

WHEREAS, this year, Massachusetts will host the National Conference of State Legislatures’ Annual Meeting and Exhibition in Boston in August; and

WHEREAS, the meeting provideS massachusetts with an opportunity to highlight public policy success and innovations, such as the 2006 health care reform law, and to explore and  learn about new areas for policy development with legislators from 49 other states; and

WHEREAS, the National Conference of State LEGISLATURES FUNDS a portion of the activities of the conference and the host COMMITTEE is responsible for funding all other aspects of the conference; and

WHEREAS, ATTENDING THE  meetings and events scheduled throughout the week are part of the official responsibilities  for members and THEIR staff; and

WHEREAS, the event will provide an opportunity to market Massachusetts and attract approximately 12,000 Visitors and Their Families to the area and generate an estimated 18.2 million dollars in ECONOMIC ACTIVITY; and

WHEREAS, there is a need to raise revenue to fund the host state's expense; and

WHEREAS, any National Conference of State Legislatures   fundraising is in support of a government obligation as a member of the National Conference of State Legislatures; and

WHEREAS, the National Conference of State Legislatures’ Annual Meeting and Exhibition will promote tourism and the Commonwealth's business interests; now therefore be it

RESOLVED, that Massachusetts legislators are hereby authorized to write to various businesses and organizations to solicit funds for the event provided, that any such legislator identify himself as an elected official and the office which he holds,  provided further, that any funds contributed are made payable to THE NATIONAL CONFERENCE OF STATE LEGISLATURES 2007 Annual meeting and MAILED to a separate, identified post office box which shall be under the exclusive control of THE NATIONAL CONFERENCE OF STATE LEGISLATURES; and provided further, that after any SUCH authorized mailing, no legislator shall make any telephonIC or follow-up solicitation to any potential contributor to the nATIONAL CONFERENCE OF STATE LEGISLATURES annual meeting; and be it further

RESOLVED, that a copy of these Resolutions be transmitted FORTHWITH BY the Clerk of the senate to the office of the State Ethics Commission and kept on file.