NCSL Adopts Policy Directives, Resolutions at Annual Meeting.

• Author: Ramsdell, Molly
• Position: NCSL IN D.C. - National Conference of State Legislatures

Legislators from across the country gathered at the annual NCSL Business Meeting in Tampa, Fla., in November to adopt 16 policy directives and 18 resolutions that will guide NCSL's advocacy work in Washington, D.C. Policies addressed broad topics including telecommunications and criminal justice along with more focused issues such as the regulation of autonomous vehicles. But all were consistent with NCSL's mission to support state sovereignty and flexibility and to protect states from unfunded federal mandates and unwarranted federal preemption.

Select new policies include:

* Student-Athlete Compensation (Policy Directive): Opposes efforts by Congress to preempt state laws that provide earning rights for student-athletes. Any federal legislation should complement state laws.

* Federal Education Relief Aid (Resolution): Responds to the Maintenance of Effort and Maintenance of Equity provisions in the American Rescue Plan Act and urges Congress to avoid requirements that compel states to increase funding or distribute education funding in a manner that does not follow state school funding formulas.

* Supporting Reauthorization of the Child Nutrition Act (Resolution): Urges Congress to protect, strengthen and improve child nutrition programs through a variety of federal programs.

* Apprenticeship (Resolution): Supports...