Learning to legislate: new member orientation is critical in term-limited states like Louisiana.

• Author: McCant, Sheila

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Call it boot camp for lawmakers.

When members of the Louisiana House of Representatives realized term limits approved in 1995 were finally going to force out nearly half of the body, they launched a plan to prepare the crop of freshman legislators for the 2008 sessions. The 105-member body lost 60 legislators--44 to term limits. Only two of the 17 standing committee chairs remained.

"It was critical for the new members to have a basic understanding of the process when we began the special session in February," says House Speaker Jim Tucker. "Our orientation was scripted to give them the tools they needed so that when we 'went live' we were ready. And, I must say, they really have risen to the occasion."

How did the Louisiana House pull off such an ambitious undertaking? By taking a bipartisan approach, tapping veterans and planning ahead.

Former Speaker Joe Salter appointed a committee in 2006, well before the fall 2007 election. He called on veteran lawmakers and outside experts to craft an approach that would ensure both new members and their staffs were ready for prime time when the session began.

The committee--looking at the findings of a National Conference of State Legislatures's study and the effects of term limits in other states--knew the best way to prepare freshmen was with in-depth orientation. Based on the best practices from other states, they came up with a program that augmented the Legislature's traditional one and a half days of orientation and included:

* One-on-one training with key staff called "The Welcome Wagon."

* A traditional orientation conference.

* Special training on ethics.

* Leadership training.

* Orientation for legislative district office assistants.

* Committee-level orientation.

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New members got a personal welcome, learning about the House departments and how they function. They got tips on opening a district office and hiring assistants. They learned how they would get paid and how to turn in expenses. They heard about the Legislature's ethics rules.

The training started with new members who had no opposition. The remainder were scheduled as soon as their races were decided, one group after the primary and the other after the general election.

Then came an intensive three-day orientation program in December, which included mock committee meetings and floor sessions. The new lawmakers were introduced to the legislative process and learned about agencies and...