Legislative Resources

Know your Legislators

Find the names and contact information for your legislators. (Click on their name, to see their specific information)

Know your Legislation

Search for a bill by keyword or bill number. Click Current Bill History (left side) to learn about its status. Once there, you may also see how your legislator voted on a bill by noting where it says Passed House (or Senate) and clicking on the journal page number listed (i.e. S.J. 265).
Find information about upcoming committee hearings.

Writing to Legislators

Use the following guidelines when sending letters or emails to your legislators.

Use your home address and be sure that it is on both the letter and the envelope.
Do not use your school or college email account or letterhead to contact legislators.
Send typewritten (not hand-written) letters. Use your spell checker and edit carefully.
Address the letter to "The Honorable _____________", and for the salutation use "Dear Senator ____________" or "Dear Representative ______________".
State who you are and your purpose in writing.
Be concise. Legislators have a full plate of issues and will appreciate a brief, clear synopsis. Use bullet points.
Discuss only one bill or issue in the letter. If you are writing about a specific bill, refer to that bill number whenever possible.
Be factual and respectful.
State your reasons for your viewpoint. A few well researched arguments are better than a long list of general reasons for your views.
Relate it to home. Help the legislator understand why your position is important to his or her constituents. Include specific facts about how a bill will impact educators, students or schools in their district. Include a story to illustrate a bill's impact.
Offer to act as a resource for further information.
Request a reply explaining the legislator's views on the topic.
And note that legislators rarely receive thank you notes. If you send one to a legislator who is supportive of your issues, it will be remembered!

Legislative Links

Other Resources

District Map for the state of Iowa
Map of Senate legislators by your district
Map of Representatives by your district
Educational documents including: How a Bill Becomes a Law; Appropriations Process; Legislative Terminology; Budget Process in Iowa; Participations and Organizations in Making Iowa Laws.
This year's legislative session timetable

Know your Lobbyists

Find general information about your lobbyists. Click Search Lobbyist Declarations (second line) for information on how they registered on a specific bill.